The document discusses various technologies the author learned about through creating their final product. They learned photography skills like portrait composition using a Canon DSLR. They became proficient at using Photoshop Elements 9, learning tools like the magic eraser, lasso tool, and spot healing brush to edit images. The author also utilized research tools like their Macbook, iPhone apps, Blogger, Tumblr, Flickr, Scribd and Slideshare to find inspiration and present their ideas in engaging formats.

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

2. Canon 500DI used my DSLR to take the photos for my final product. I had previously never purposely photographed people so when using it to take pictures of my model I really learnt a lot about the composition of portraits. One thing I learnt was the most important aspect of a portrait; where a model should be positioned in a shot. For example I learnt about the golden spiral, and that an image should have a central focus point and then the rest of the image should work around that. I think this technique can be applied well to the image I used on my DPS, which hs the focal point as my model’s head and then the background, unfocused, arund the rest of the image.

3. Macbook ProI used my macbook for all the research and then implementation of my product. As my mac was new I learnt a lot about how to generally use it through all the work and research I did for my media product.

4. iPhone 4I used my iPhone for research. I found that apps such as NME and Tumblr. are very useful not only for personal interest but for knowledge and inspiration on the elements, such as music news stories and photography, which are key to the production of a magazine.I was also about to access my blog, and other inspirational sites, whilst on the move through the Safari app and my phone’s 3G network. This made posting very easy if I was unable to access a computer.

5. Photoshop Elements 9This is the software program I used to create my cover, contents and DPS. Until I began the prelim task I had no experience with this program or any like it. So this is what I learnt most from during the process. I used the magic eraser tool to cut out my front image cover image. It is a very useful tool as it allows you to click on an area and it will erase similar colours in this area, however I found out this can sometimes backfire and remove wanted areas such as hair. To combat this I found using the normal eraser worked well which meant I became quite good at precise movements around detailed areas. I found that the lasso tool wasn’t just used to cut out images, as I used it to create new layer which I made solid colour to cover my model’s visible roots. As I had a large area to cover I did this multiple times and found it easy to do, which allowed me to achieve the right colour to enhance my image and mask the imperfection. Another tool which I found very useful to perfect my images was the Spot Healing Brush, which would remove spots and other imperfections after brushing over them. This allowed me to easily perfect my portraits and therefore enhance my cover. I also learnt how to alter the brightness and contrast of an image, which really help to enhance mine.

6. BloggerI have used blogger to present all my work so far. I have learnt a lot about embedding other objects with codes using this. Embedding such objects demonstrates a range of skills and really enhances how my blogger looks as it makes each post different.

7. Tumblr.I used the blogging site tumblr. to find images that inspired my magazine and the photographs in it. The images I found taught me a lot about composition and how different effects can enhance a photo. I learnt that images look best, and more artistic, if they are taken from an angle rather than head on as this means the model of the photo is still the main element but also allows more detail of the surroundings to be shown which will make it more interesting. I also found many images that used props and noted that they have a great effect on photos but must be used subtly so as not to detract focus from the model. In regards to colour editing many images on tumblr. have been modified in such a way which helps to emphasis their genre, which I brought into my images by darkening them to reflect rock stereotypes.

8. Flickr, Scribd. and SlideshareI used these three sites to present my ideas and then add them onto my blog in different, interesting formats. I had never used these sites before but they have simple interfaces which allow users to quickly achieve their goal. I learnt from these that information doesn't just have to be entered straight to the blog but can be presented nicely and attractively instead, which will engage readers.