In Design First Attempt

This is my first attempt at creating a double page spread; it was also my first time using the In-Design software. Although at this point I had only used very simple and basic tools on the program I did like using it and I found it easier to use than Photoshop. For my first use of the program I created a masthead, added the main image along with two other images, added the article and used dropcap. To create the masthead I chose the rectangle tool and used it to create the shape to type my headline; when I had drawn the shape I then clicked on the type tool and wrote my headline. Once I had done this I clicked on window then colour to change the colour of the text and to add the stroke effect which changes the outline of the letters, I increased the weight and changed the colour. To add the images I chose the frame tool and created the shape I wanted; before this I had to save the images into a folder as you should never copy and paste using this program. To insert the picture I had to click file then place then browse to find the image I wanted and add it. When you add pictures on this program they are likely to be too large for the shape you choose; to alter this you need to right click on the picture then click fitting then fit proportionally. In this case I just needed to get used to the program so to add the article I used another piece of work and copied it; before this I used the rectangle tool to add the three columns. When I had done this I copied the text into the first column; when there is too much text for that particular column a red square should appear at the bottom of the text, you use this to click on it and then drag the rest of the text to another column. To make the dropcap I highlighted the first paragraph and went to the properties tool bar and clicked on the tool with a small A on to increased the number. The black arrow on the program is used to adjust the frame size and rectangle size, whereas the white arrow is used to adjust the picture size.

1st and 2nd Person Narratives - Alcohol - Related to Unit 3

One night I was on the streets with my friends for what was initially thought to be a fun night of drinking, yet it turned out to be a near disaster. One of my friends had too much to drink and collapsed. I and my friends all panicked not knowing what to do. He was admitted to hospital and that night he almost died. One careless night with my friends nearly turned into the worst night of my life.

The effect of this opening paragraph is that is gives it an emotional feel, someone’s actual experience and opens the eyes of the reader to the small anecdote which could easily happen to them if they are not careful. It is short which increases the read-speed and adds more energy. The shock/ horror introduction captures the reader’s attention; it draws them in and makes them want to continue reading.

You should be asking yourself these questions: are you an underage drinker? Are getting drunk to often? Do you not think about what you’re doing to yourself? Can you answer me these questions: are you concerned about the amount of alcohol consumption you have and where you future lies if you continue? Are you concerned about your personal well-being, your short-term health and long-term health, if you’re not then why not? You need to think to yourselves; could this affect my family? But most of all you need to ask yourselves; why do I drink?

The effect of this opening paragraph is that it hooks the reader; they find that they want to read on because the questions are making them want the answers. It has a medium speed; I think this makes the reader become lost in the paragraph and find themselves just continuing to read which means that the paragraph has done its job because it is meant to make the reader read on.

Healing tool - Photoshop

I have used the healing brush tool in Photoshop to clear the person's face. It is simple and easy to use: first paste a photograph into Photoshop, then alter the size of the tool next to where you are going to use it, it needs to be the same size as what you are clearing. Once you have chosen the size you need to hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and click your mouse next to where you are going to clear, and then click over the area you are clearing. You will need to repeat this process each time you want to clear something.

Vampire Photograph - Photoshop

I have used the burn tool around the eyes to darken their edges which makes them look scarier. Next I used the sponge tool all over the face to take the colour out; I set the tool to de-saturate. This makes the person look more like a vampire. After this I used the magnetic lasso tool; this tool allowed me to alter the teeth and to create the fangs. To use this tool effectively and accurately firstly you should zoom in to the teeth then click on the tool, then click around the tooth you choose, it should come up with a dotted shape around the tooth. When this appears you need to go to edit, transform and warp then alter the shape how you want. When you have finished altering the tooth click enter and control D, you should do this for two teeth. Lastly you need to create a new layer and choose the brush tool and the colour red; make sure you are on the new layer and colour the eyes red. Once you have coloured them in choose the darken effect from the drop-down menu and alter the opacity. Then you have finished.

Photoshop - Curves and Levels Photograph

The effect from the editing has made the photograph look older and vintage and it is easy to create this effect. To do this you need to first go onto Photoshop and add an image, then you need to go to adjustment layer, then choose curves and alter them. Once you have adjusted the curves you will need to create a new layer and fill it with a solid colour, after this all you need to do is alter the opacity then it is finished.

CD Cover - Photoshop

I have created my own CD cover in Photoshop. First I added the name of the song - Old School - and the name of the group - Nature's Hero's. I chose a font that was already on Photoshop rather than downloading my own, I chose to do this because I think it suits the name of the group and the name of the song. I made it green simply because the group is called 'Nature's' Hero's and the colour green is associated with nature. I added the stroke effect and drop shadow effect to the text; this makes it stand out more and adds energy to it because if these effects were not added the text would just look plain and boring.
For the background I used the gradient tool in every corner and added 3 different brushes that I downloaded from www.brusheazy.com. To download these brushes I searched the website until I found one that I wanted to use then I clicked on it, then clicked download, then I clicked on the file in the folder and chose to extract it and then I saved it in my brushes folder that I created. After this process I had to load it on Photoshop so I could use it; to do this I had to click on the Brush tool on Photoshop, then at the top of the program there was a drop down menu for the brush tool, I clicked this then on the drop down menu there was another drop down menu which I then clicked on, from this menu I clicked on load brushes and chose the brushes I had downloaded and from this I could use them on Photoshop. Once I had all the brushes I downloaded in Photoshop I freely used them trying to create something I found appealing; I think the cover I have created looks like tie-dye which I think looks good.

Photoshop Basics

This photograph has been vignetted this is where the outer edges are darkened to make the viewers eyes drawn to the centre. I have also used the dodge and burn tools; the dodge tool lightens the area that you click on whereas the burn tool darkens the area you click on.

To make the photograph vignetted on Photoshop you have to first go to the Elliptical Marquee tool and cover most of the image, but before this you must change the feathering to between 60 and 90; this will make it look more transitioned rather than having a clear line where the circle has been drawn. Next you need to go to select > inverse, then image > adjustments > brightness/ contrast; from here to can alter the brightness and contrast to what you want.

This photograph has only been slightly changed; I have used auto-colour, this just automatically makes Photoshop adjust the colour in the photograph. The colour has been slightly darkened and been made slightly 'fuller'.

To use auto-colour you need to go to image > auto-colour. There is also different things you can use after clicking on image such as auto-contrast and auto-tone.

This photograph has simply been de-saturated, this is where all the colour is taken out of the photograph and it becomes black and white. I also adjusted the brightness and contrast to make parts darker and parts lighter to shows a clearer difference.

To de-saturate a photograph on Photoshop you need to go to image > adjustments > de-saturate. To alter the brightness and contrast you need to go to image > adjustments > brightness/ contrast.

Shutter Speed Photographs and Evaluation

Shutter speeds help determine the type of photograph the photographer takes; it is simply the amount of light that is let in the camera when the shutter is open that meets the sensor for a certain amount of time.

A fast shutter speed would be used for photographing fast moving objects such as cars, water or people running. This is because the fast shutter speed allows the camera to capture the sharpest photograph. There are other uses for fast shutter speeds; for example if the photographer is panning the camera with the subject in it, the photograph can be made to make the subject sharp but have the background blurred. Sometimes motion blur can improve the photograph; it may make the photograph look like it has more movement and energy. People will use a fast shutter speed because it makes the photograph look like its subject is frozen and it is at its sharpest, also there will be no camera shaking: it will look completely still. A slow shutter speed would be used to capture something that may just quickly occur like a lightning bolt, or as I used a torch, the camera is able to capture these types of photographs because the shutter allows the light in for longer so the camera will capture it all. A slow shutter speed similarly to a fast shutter speed can also lead to superb photographs. People will use a slow shutter speed because it will allow them to create a photograph that is ‘in the moment’ like a lightning bolt, you wouldn't be able to capture that by using a fast shutter speed. Photographers have to be careful when they are taking their photographs with a slow shutter speed; they will most likely have to use a tripod, this will stop any concerns over the camera shaking and will make the best photograph rather than the camera being hand-held.

I set the camera on a fast shutter speed for this photograph; I think that it is of good quality as it was intentionally blurred, it may be seen to have been taken with a good effect. It is not too dark or too light which makes the photograph better and more appealing. The framing can't really be good or bad for a photograph with this effect because the viewer will not be able to recognise what the photograph actually is and therefore it is not important for this photograph. The blurred affect makes the photograph look energetic which is good and if people were to look at this I think it would grab their attention over other photographs.

 

This photograph was also set to a fast shutter speed to make it in focus and sharp rather than blurred due to the fast movement of the subject. It is sharp; it has good lighting so I think the quality is good, with the exception of the framing. The framing is poor and lets this photograph down because one hand is cut off along with the bottom of both legs; to stop this problem happening in the future I will check them more carefully as soon as I take them and if I need to re-take them I will, I will also take a lot more of the same shot so I have more to choose from and stand further away to allow everything in the frame. 

Again this photograph has a fast shutter speed in order to capture the movement of the subject and to make it as sharp as possible and in focus. I think the basic quality is good; I think this photograph needs to have a slower shutter speed but only enough to allow more light into the photograph that will keep its sharpness, I also think that it needs to be a lot closer to the subject because the distance here is too far away; it needs to be close enough to make the viewer become drawn to the subject because that is what is supposed to happen on this photograph but it doesn't. On the other hand the framing is much better than in the previous photograph.

The 3 previous photographs all have a slow shutter speed; I set the camera with a slow shutter speed so that the camera allowed enough light to capture the movement and light from the torch. I think the quality of all 3 photographs is good because the patterns from the torch draw attention over everything else in them, also the lighting is good. The backgrounds are blurred and out of focus but this makes the torch patterns look better and stand out more. Also on each photograph there are parts of the persons legs cut off, but I think this doesn't matter as they are not what the photographs are about, they are about the torch patterns.

My overall targets are to make sure that the subject is fully in the frame if that is needed, to make sure the distance is correct to have everything in the frame but not be too far away, to remember to take lots of pictures just to make sure they will be correct and to check the lighting in each photograph and adjust the shutter speed if I need to and if I think it will improve the photograph.

Composition Photographs Evaluation

This is a tilt shot, the camera is tilted upwards; I have learnt that this makes the subject look powerful, have authority over something. Yet this type of shot also can have bad effects such as if it was a close up shot, it wouldn't be appealing because the subjects nostrils may draw people's attention rather than what the photographs intentions were originally. This shot can sometimes be more about power than glamour. It is composed well because the subject is placed directly in the centre of the photograph therefore the viewer will be drawn there, and the subject looks like a powerful figure.

This is also a tilted shot but this time it is tilted down. I have learnt that this shot makes the subject become powerless, innocent and inferior. Sometimes this shot may be used to create sympathy or it could be used to make someone look small, this could mean that they are not as big and as smart as they think, or it could be a situation where the subject was on top of the world but then lost everything and became this person; if this was the case then this photograph would show their feelings which may be devastation, anguish or regret. It is composed well because the meaning that this photograph is supposed to have is clear; the subject does look small and powerless.

This shot has been taken off centre; the effect of this shot is that the subject may not be the most important part of the photograph and could be there to create effect or to give another meaning to something else in the photograph. It is composed well because the figure is in the left third of the photograph and may make some viewers think about why this has been done which will give photographs like this more meaning and recognition.

This photograph has been taken to make the subject's eye-line low; similar to the low-tilt shot. It usually means that the subject is powerless, innocent and inferior. Sometimes it could be because there is something else in the photograph which is more important; this could strengthen the meaning that the subject is powerless, innocent and inferior. This photograph is composed well because the subject looks lonely, depressed and inferior which is the meaning that this shot is supposed to have.

This is a close up shot; this type of shot is usually intended to show facial expressions or even to try to make people think about what the subject is thinking or feeling at a certain time. It is a shot type that people will see a lot; this is because it enables the photographs to connote or denote different things. It is composed well because the subject is looking straight into the camera lens; this will make viewers have different opinions of what she is thinking about or is feeling. It also is in sharp focus which allows the viewer to see specific facial expressions.

This photograph has been taken with a focal point, the focal point is usually taken in photographs with something leading to it which is usually a diagonal line; such as in the photograph the shadow is leading up to the focal point which is the person. The diagonal lines also add energy to the photograph because they are making the viewer look along or up or down the photograph waiting for something at the end. This photograph is not composed well; this is because there is more than one shadow. Therefore the energy is taken out of this photograph because the viewer will not be initially drawn to the subject's shadow and will have a slower reaction when they are first looking at the it.







All of the images are in focus and I used the focus ring to do this, this is mainly so that the photographs looked clear. I did not zoom in on any of the photographs because this may have made them become out of focus and I would have had to adjust the focus ring. Another reason for not zooming in would be because it may take the meaning of the photograph away. For example if I zoomed in on the first photograph and only showed the shoulders upwards and not the subject's body; it may have made them look less powerful and have less authority.
I think the strengths of my photographs are that they are all in focus and all of them apart from the last one are composed well. Another would be that the meaning that is supposed to be given in them is given apart from the last one.I think the only weakness of my photographs is that the last one is not composed well and as a result of this the purpose isn't clear and it takes the energy out of it.

Magazine Cover

I used manual focus because it makes me have more of an influence on the photograph. I learnt how to use the focus ring and zoom ring on the camera, and where on the camera they are located. I also learnt that the T-stance helps keep the camera steady when you are standing up or crouching down, that it helps keep your own balance when you are taking the photograph and it is a better body position when you are taking the photograph. I learnt that most magazines take their pictures in portrait mode and I learnt how to take the photograph in portrait mode. I took every picture in portrait mode. I took most of my images in focus, the ones that weren't I didn't use. To make sure I take every picture in focus in the future I will take more time adjusting the focus ring and take less picture that are better quality. I learnt that lighting affects your photographs so you need to be aware of where the sun is located and if it is affecting your photographs. Side-lit makes the photographs lighter on one side than another, front-lit sometimes will create shadows in the photographs and back-lit makes the front of the photograph darker than the back. I use the rule of thirds; I took some photographs with the eye-line too low so I crouched to make the eye-line where it is supposed to be: the first line down from the top of the photograph. The background for my photograph was easy to find because it was only a brick wall; I wanted this background because it was supposed to look like the model was in jail behind metal bars. My model was easy to handle and didn't cause any problems, he just did what I asked of him to do in my photograph. My people skills were good enough to be in control.

The tools I used on Photoshop were: the cropping tool, the marquee tool, the zoom tool, the move tool, the paint bucket tool and the type tool. I found it hard to use the paint bucket tool because the fonts that I was using were not compatible with this tool; also I found it hard to place different things in the final position because I was unsure where to place them. I controlled my text well by first of all choosing various fonts until one would be compatible with the paint bucket tool and one that I liked and thought would suit my magazine cover. I was careful when I was placing the text where I wanted because I didn't want it to look out of place or simply bad. I added a drop shadow and stroke effect on my masthead, I also added the stroke effect on my bubble at the bottom of the cover. I did this so that they would stand out more than anything else on the page. I did this by highlighting the layer and clicking effects which brought up a menu of all the different effects and then I chose the two I wanted to use and clicked on them; from this I was able to edit them and see how they looked. I downloaded various fonts but my initial choices were see-through which meant I couldn't fill them with a colour. The font I chose to use looked like typical bubble-writing, I chose this font because it is popular for people to use when they are designing something similar, this makes it a slightly mainstream font and my magazine would be about chart music which is mainstream. I downloaded my fonts by going to www.dafont.com and searching through the different fonts and then chose one. Once I had chosen one I clicked download, extract all files, browse, then chose my font’s folder in unit 2 in Media Production, I then copied the font and went to my C-drive and opened the windows folder then the font’s folder and pasted it into that folder. The colours I used were mainly red and yellow with black outlines and the background from the image. I used these colours because they are primary colours, bright and noticeable colours and popular colours. Another reason why I used these colours is that they suit each other, and they will reflect that the magazine includes popular mainstream music.

I really like what I have produced but if I was able to improve it in any way I would improve my image. The reason for this is that I would prefer if the bars were clearer and straight, also I would have liked it to be I little bit sharper and change the lighting. I would change the lighting because it is supposed to look like a jail cell which is stereotypically dark, but this may have also made it worse because if it was dark it may not look appealing. I think the strengths of the project as a whole are that the finished product looks like a real magazine and I learnt a lot on Photoshop and have developed skills on it that didn't previously know.

Initial Skills Assesment

AS Media Production: Technical Skills Audit Print Production

Name: Michael Coates       Tutor group: 1.04                Date: 17/09/12

Photographic Skills

Which of the following photographic features/equipment have you used on a camera before:

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Manual Focus features		N
Shutter Speed		N
Aperture control		N
A tripod	Y		When filming at school for OCR Media
External flash		N
Self timer facility		N
Light meter		N
Composition grids		N

Photoshop Skills

Which of the following features of Photoshop have you used before:

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Have you ever used Photoshop ever before?	Y		Very basic for photography and Making a newspaper for OCR Media
Text control		N
Filters		N
Brushes		N
Layers		N
Opacity control		N
Shape creation		N
Brightness and contrast control		N
Dodge/Burn		N
Clone stamp tool		N
Colour curves adjustment		N
Resolution setting control		N
Magnetic lasso, polygon lasso tool		N
Cropping tool	Y		Very basic for editing photographs for OCR Media
Retouch tool		N

In Design Skills

Which of the following features of In Design have you used before:

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Have you ever used In design ever before?		N
Margin and column guide creation		N
Inserting text in ID		N
Inserting images in ID		N
Resizing images in ID		N
Text manipulation – resizing, rotation		N
Text manipulation – controlling kerning and leading		N
Text flow creation		N
Text effects – drop shadow		N
Drop cap insert		N
Using transparent imagery in ID		N
Shape creation In design		N
Text wrapping		N
Exporting to PDF from In-design		N