The document discusses various technologies and techniques used to construct a music magazine product. Photoshop allowed the development of technical skills through features like the polygonal lasso tool. Internet research on music magazines helped apply conventions to plan and target an audience. Camera techniques like lighting, rule of thirds, and shot variety were employed. Presentation software like Pages, Keynote and a Mac interface were also utilized. Blogger was used to upload planning logs and link materials, providing accessibility. These features were selected to achieve different presentation styles and a professional quality for the magazine.
1. What have you learnt
about the
technologies from the
process of
constructing the
product?
2. Photoshop
• The techniques that I have used during the construction of this product, such as
photoshop, have allowed me to develop my technical abilities when using specific
features. The use of photoshop has allowed me to use features that would not be
available had I used another program, as the features are used specifically for the
construction of a product like my music magazine.
• The things that I have learnt through the use of photoshop are that the use of the
polygonal lasso tool, needs to be taken one step at a time, in order to achieve a
professional quality. I believe that since the preliminary task my technique using
this feature has improved.
• I have also learnt that a range of features from photoshop can be applied to the
construction of the product, which has allowed me to apply other features during
the construction of the product.
An example of the
use of the lasso
tool during
production
3. Internet Research
• Throughout the construction of the product I have applied internet research, in order to
apply the conventions of magazines to my own magazines. I have looked at existing
music magazine websites which applied to my own genre, Kerrang!, Rock Sound, NME
and Q.
• This has meant that I was able to use the features that are used in these magazines in
my own, and apply multimodal techniques to my own planning for the product. This has
show me how to attract a specific target audience, and how to make sure that the
magazine appeals to the audience at every point.
• The use of internet research has shown me that magazines can be displayed in
different formants, which makes for easy access, and allowed me to view existing
magazines and images in order for me to apply the techniques to my own product.
4. Camera Techniques
• During the construction of the product I used a camera to take my original images which
would be included in the features of the product. I have learnt that the use of light when
taking a photo is important as this can affect the final image. This meant that through
out the process of taking the images, I tried to use natural light when possible in order
to create the best image.
• I have also learnt to employ the “Rule of Thirds” technique when taking my images, as if
this technique is not employed the final image can be affected. I have also learnt that a
significant amount of headroom should be left for each image, particularly for the front
cover of the product.
• When taking the images I have learnt that a wide range of camera shots can be
applied, to add variety to the images that will be used in the product. I have used a
range of close ups, long shots and medium long shots in order to achieve this variety.
5. Presentation
Software
• I preformed the construction of the product on a Mac computer, which was a new
experience as I had not used a Mac before this process. However the features that are
included on a Mac are similar to a PC, so I do not believe that I had much trouble
adjusting. Through the use of Macs I was able to use photoshop in a different way, as I
was able to use the technique of a screen shot, throughout the construction process.
• The features which are included on a Mac which I used throughout the construction of
the product, pages and key note. Although these features are similar PowerPoint and
word, the layout of each programme took some time to adjust to.
• I used pages to write my development diaries, and many other planning features that
were important to the final construction of the product. The use of pages has allowed
me to see how an image can be added to existing text with creating an disturbance. The
use of keynote has allowed me to see the different kind of features which can be
included in a presentation to display data.
6. Blogger
• The final feature which I used during the construction of the product was
blogger, which I have used to upload the planning, construction and
production logs of the product.
• Blogger was new experience as I have never used a blog before, and
was therefore unsure how it worked. However the features that were
available through Blogger were easily understand, and I believe that the
uploading process became easier the amount of times I upload my work.
• I have learnt how to link pages and key note presentations, images and
links to my work through blogger. Which make my work more easily
accessible to others.
7. Why I used these
features
• The reason why I have used these techniques during the process of construction is
because I wanted to achieve different presentation techniques for the product. This is
so that the product can be applied to existing magazines, and has a professional quality
to it.
• Through the use of camera techniques and photoshop, I wanted to expand on existing
techniques that I already had in order to improve the final product. I believe that if I had
to use the techniques again, I would be confident in my abilities as I was not confident
when first using photoshop and taking pictures.