4. Progression
I wanted to make many improvements from my preliminary task, there are as follows.
The image taken in my preliminary task has got the professional quality to it, however the mise en scene isn't
appropriate as the messy school uniform gives it a less formal look. I could of taken the image with better
lighting, but l learnt how to adapt the image quality and contrast within Photoshop itself. I am not happy with
the font used for the title and the headline and also the colours used for the strapline could be improved.
Through both my preliminary tasks, I haven't kept a continued house theme.
As you can see, both my final productions I showed a
variety of images as well as keeping a continues house
style. The first image taken I used lighting to create a
underground rave effect. I then continued to blur the
models face to make the image less dull (unlike the
image in my preliminary). I also feel that I have
progressed in the way I utilised fonts, whilst having a
variation of fonts throughout they still have a
professional feel to them as they have good
separation effects. The fonts and image’s are in my
opinion the most crucial factors to make a
professional looking image.
5. Learning
My skill in Photoshop has massively improved from the transition from preliminary to
final production. I became familiar with how to enhance image’s and play with text, such
as giving it a drop shadow.
For example on my double page spread I have raised the text to make it less dull against
the background. It makes it more appealing and therefor more professional. Using the
drop shadow tool I learnt that by changing the speed and angle of the shadow I could get
very particular with my editing in order to have the most effective production.
Adding a drop shadow
6. The complexity of my layout has changed also, as I have learnt how to add different
layers into my production. Before my skills of Photoshop had developed my preliminary
tasked looked flat and dull, but by utilising layers I was able to produce a more
professional looking image. By following the codes and conventions of other music
magazines I was able to use layers to produce a professional looking final product.
Some of the techniques I learnt was how to colour text box’s, line spacing, and
separation between letters to create variation.
By following my own advice from my preliminary task, I was able to remain to one
constant structure, by always referring to my research it meant I didn’t just produce a
mess of image’s and text that didn’t have any professional qualities to it. To do this I
created mock ups and sketches of what I wanted my final production to look like.
Unlike what I did for my preliminary which consisted of very little research .
Mock ups
7. I also learnt the importance of mastheads, as they are the initial thing a reader will
read when viewing the magazine. In my preliminary task my masthead was
unrecognisable and didn’t have a relatable font to the theme of a school. Also it had
no qualities that could represent the magazine as a whole, unlike my final
productions masthead. Due to this I decided my final masthead must look
professional and be the symbol for the magazine, thus why I created several options
and allowed my focus group to decide which looked the most professional.
8. From all of the lessons I’ve learnt from the transition between preliminary to final
production, I was able to produce my double page spread, which considered all the
factors I have learnt.
9. The unique bright colours against the topless model contrast and
create a very eye-catching look. Through repetition and tutorials I
managed to position the model just right in order to create the best
‘lens flare look’, thus making it look more professional. By utilising
the projector, lighting and the iso I was able to highlight the
transition from my preliminary to the final production. Overall
these techniques aloud me to have a stand out image which would
overall greatly increase the professional qualities of the magazine.
10. Conclusion
In conclusion the increase of quality from my preliminary task to my final
production was large. This is mainly due the fact I have acquired many skills
throughout the process of this production. For example my skills in
Photoshop have greatly improved, thus allowing me to be able to produce a
more professional piece of work. By learning the codes and conventions of
different genres of magazine I was able to put them into my magazine by
utilising my Photoshop skills. The variety of fonts, house colours, design
planning and spacing were all conventions necessary to have a successful
final production. If I had not learnt how to use this software to its full extent
I would not have been able to produce such a high quality piece of work.
