Through completing a media course, the author learned to use new technologies like memory sticks, Mac computers, and Photoshop. They summarized that the preliminary Photoshop task helped familiarize them with the program and tools needed to create their music magazine. They also used various web 2.0 tools to showcase their work in an engaging way and learned how to embed content, download fonts, and make videos. The author primarily used the Blogger platform to store their research, planning, products, and evaluations, and in doing so learned how to effectively utilize the program. Additionally, through multiple photo shoots for their coursework, the author gained experience using a professional camera and learned about settings, angles, lighting, and transferring photos to their

1. about
technologies
from the
process of
constructing
this product

2. Technologies
Through doing this course, I learnt how to use new kinds of
technologies that I have never had to use before. These
included things such as:
• Memory sticks- I learnt how to save a file and then upload it
on to a new place, to be able to use it from device to
device.
• macs- although I was confident in using mac book
computers already, I used one compulsively throughout this
course and so have been able to use it to the best of my
abilities in the most effective ways there are.
• Along with many others that will be spoken about in depth
on slides to come…

3. Photoshop
I came in to the media A level course with very limited knowledge on how to use
Photoshop, although I took media for GCSE last year. I had forgotten a lot of the things that
can be done on the program and also hadn't learnt it in the depth that is needed for a level
to create a successful product. Due to this, I found the preliminary task useful as it allowed
me to familiarize myself again with photo shop, and become more comfortable with the
program in the lead to making my music magazine. Some of the ways my preliminary task
helped me in the production of my music magazine was by cutting down the time that I
needed to produce my product in the final production as I had already found the tools I
would need for production of my music magazine and didn't’t need to search around
looking for each aspect of photo shop as well as having the tools around me to teach me
what I don’t know how to use, I knew all the resources that were useful if I needed a
guideline to fall back on. Another example of where I can see that my skills using Photoshop
improved was editing photos for example when cropping them, how to add different
effects onto writing such as drop shadows and glows, incorporate shapes and images from
the internet. It also helped to teach me how to layout and structure a magazine cover
generally by following typical conventions and so when in the final production I wasn’t
producing something with no prior knowledge and had a good idea of what I was doing and
how to do it.

4. Web 2.0 tools
During the process of the coursework I have produced for my media a level course, I used
many different web 2.0 tools that I had both previously used before as well as not having
heard about them. This enabled me to show all my information such as research and
planning, evaluations etc. in a way that isn't too dull but is inviting as well as meaning I got
to use new programs I had previously been unaware of. Therefore, using these tools and
programs, has helped me widen my knowledge surrounding presentation skills in particular
and they have also helped me to enhance my skills on the computer as I have learnt new
things whilst on these programs. For example, I learnt how to embed a presentation, image
or file onto my blog which was something I didn't’t know was possible, I learnt how to
download new fonts onto the computer (for example, through the website dafont.com), I
learnt briefly how to make a video both including editing and cutting skills (for example on
final cut) but also a go animate or powtoon which generate videos.

5. Blogger
One of the main programs that I learnt about and how to use is a program called ‘blogger’,
this is where I stored all of my research and planning tasks along with preliminary products
and the final tasks, with evaluation. This means that I had to learn how to use it in an
effective way to get across the work that I had completed and get the knowledge into a
place where I could then get back to it to be able to refer back to my research as well as It
being in an easily accessible place to be marked and corrected. A result of using this tool in
such depth, was that I now feel confident around using it and can show whatever needs to
be using the program. I can now use the program to insert images, videos, texts and
presentations made using web 2.0 tools which have to be embedded to be presented in the
best way, I had to schedule all my posts in a chronological order after posting what had
been done. To be able to do this, as I have never used the program before I had to watch
videos, ask around for help and play around with the tools before I learnt to use it to the
best of my ability.

6. Cameras
Before starting my media a level course, I had never used a professional camera at all, nor
had to do multiple photo-shoots using a ‘model’ to fit a certain purpose including shots and
address having to be accurate and precise. As well as just learning about the camera this
process has taught me a lot about the other technologies too such as using an SD card,
lighting, green screens etc. I learnt how to properly use a camera, and ensure that what I
was doing was to a high, professional standard. The camera that I used for my final main
image was a canon, from using this camera I was able to find out many new features on the
camera that I didn't’t know existed, such as settings depending on the lighting that is
surrounding you at that point, the zoom and much more which enabled me to be able to
take these shots and enabled me to broaden the knowledge I was lacking before in
cameras. I also learnt how to use the best camera angle and shot (close ups, mid shots
etc.)depending on what message needed to be portrayed and shown through the image to
fulfill the purpose that I wanted it to. Another skill that I learnt on the camera was the
spatial awareness that should be taken into consideration when shooting, when I was
taking the pictures I had to bear in mind where the image was going to be placed to limit
the work I had to do on Photoshop and make the magazine as good as It could be.
Therefore, I have progressed skill majorly in using the technologies surrounding and
including the camera which I highly lacked in before and am now able to confidently set up
a camera using an SD card, battery, take shots to fulfill a purpose and portray a message
using the correct angles, lighting and screening etc., as well as get them onto my laptop
using the SD card to use in my final product.