MEDIA AS Evaluation Question 6

1. Evaluation Question 6
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

2. Technology Used
During the production of my magazine I used a range of technologies to reach my final product, throughout
the process I have learned about them and used them to improv my magazine, i used the following
technologies;
- Cannon 600D
- Lighting
- Adobe Photoshop
- Google chrome
- Blogger
- Pages
- Mobile Phone

3. Google
I used Google multiple times for my research, for example looking at existing media
products including their images. Doing this allowed me to quickly access copies so I
could find out the common conventions of similar magazines to mine. Without Google the
process would have taken me much longer as I would need to look at print copies of
magazines.

4. Issu
Issu also helped with my research as sometimes the contents of the music magazines
were harder to find. By using this I had access to hundred of music magazines and could
flick through page by page allowing me to see the whole magazine instead of just the front
cover. It also allowed me to get inspiration from a wider range of existing media, some
which I have never come across before.
Without the use of Issu I would have struggled to find the relevant pages for my analysis of
the codes and conventions of music magazines, therefore my time would be consumed
merely on searching the internet for copies of the magazine or looking physical copies.

5. Blogger
Blogger is the site which I have been able to present all of my work, it was simple and easy to use and I could
access it from home or school. The layout of Blogger is very organised and effective as it shows the progression of
my work as more posts are added each time.
Using blogger was very time and cost affective because having physical copies of each section of my work
would’ve taken much longer to prepare, Blogger also allows my work to be organised so the Research, Planning
and Production can be found at the click of a button instead of wasting time and energy with physical copies.
Camera Research -

6. Facebook Messenger
I used Facebook Messenger throughout the process of researching and producing my
magazine. This was a key factor in how I obtained information from my Focus Group,
creating a group chat allowed me to get fast responses and would be free compared to
other potential platforms of communication such as phone calls, or if I was to meet
members it is very time consuming and as we were such a big group peoples plans would
clash therefore Facebook Messenger being a cheap quick affective way of
communication.

7. Photoshop
I used Photoshop to edit and design my pages for my magazine including editing all the
images, such as vibrance, brightness and adding text. Using Photoshop was extremely
effective as it gave me a variety of tools to use to help me create the best possible
outcome exactly how I wanted it, just in one program. Without Photoshop I would have had
to use a less established editing site resulting in a poor quality final product.

8. Camera
In order to obtain the best possible quality images for my production and ancillary tasks. I used the
EOS 550D Canon. This camera was incredibly good at capturing detail and the quality of my images
reflected this, furthermore this device was very quick and easy to use. The camera also allowed me to
remove the SD card and simply plug it into my MacBook and simply transfer all my photos at no cost
or time at all. By using a digital SLR camera it meant that I could see the images instantly after I had
taken them meaning that was easy to see what aspects of the shot I had to change.
Throughout the production I have learned a lot about this camera including many universal functions
such as ISO, aperture and iris, this allowed me to get the best outcome.
Without the use of this camera the process of taking photos would’ve been rather long winded, and
the quality of my images would not of been up to the standards at which I had hoped.

9. Lighting
I used the lighting to get better lit photographs as i decided that artificial light would be best for the
types of shots that I wanted for my magazine.
Using the lighting was simple however it required persistence to get lights in the correct position to
achieve the look I was aiming for. I used the internet to find tutorials and examples in how to position
the lights to get certain effects such as chiaroscuro lighting, however I decided that I wanted to use
high key lighting and therefore used the layout about for most of my photographs in my magazine.
Using high key lighting game a more professional look to my images and makes it more like a real
magazine as high key lighting was convention that I found to be common in my research.

10. Mobile Phone
I used my iPhone to use the internet to conduct research during the research. I took my mobile phone
to a gig as it was more convenient than a camera and I was able to take photos of artists. I used my
phone to email the photos so that I could use Photoshop to edit them on the computer.
I also used my phone to access Facebook messenger, I used Facebook Messenger throughout the
process of researching and producing my magazine. This was a key factor in how I obtained
information from my Focus Group.

11. In Conclusion...
The use of technology has played a big part in helping along my production process and
actually creating my final outcome. Without the technologies I have discussed my product
would be significantly less professional and of a much lower presentable quality.
Technologies have not only made my product more presentable but also resulted in my
work being organised with clear research and planning. Without this my work would not
show these skills and evidence of understanding.
I was not familiar with the technologies I have used before producing my construction
therefore I have learned a lot about them while constructing my magazine.