What have you learnt about technologies through the process of constructing this

product?

ICT I have gained experience, knowledge and understanding through several electronic formats. One being SoundCloud where I created my podcast prior to the interview for my article. It features a one-on-one conversation of myself with one of the actors. Through creating this podcast I learnt several techniques for recording audio as well as attaching external sound clips to the project (a song created by the band). Another IT application I have learnt skill through is Photoshop CS3 and CS5. Before this coursework task, I had very little experience with the tools and utensils accessible in Photoshop but through creating the preliminary and main task I learnt how to add transformations in layering, manipulate the lighting and color effects of images, alter the density and opacity, add ICC profiles, layer the colors, styles and shapes in text and images, as well as the use of the gradient tool. I was also unfamiliar with the applications available in Blogger also. I learnt how to upload a range of media to record my process and planning as well as adding gadgets on the literal blog which is relevant to the task (i.e free itunes downloads and music player widgets).

Uploading and downloading files

DaFont (www.dafont.com) is a website which uploads free font content to download using whichever software is compatible with the file conversion accessible on your computer. In my case the font files formatted as TTF conversions (mainly accessible on Macs) it stands for ‘TrueType Font’ which displays on both screens and in printed documents. As Photoshop itself has a very limited, basic selection of fonts, dafont was useful for being able to legally download appropriate fonts to use within Photoshop free of charge. Another upload I created was for my audience feedback- where I used iMovie to add titled slides, crop the lengths of clips, manipulate the sound waves and lighting and place feedback review in ascending chronological order. The clip was then uploaded to my blog. Other electronic forms I was able to upload is embedded codes off of Youtube to share video clips, my podcast from SoundCloud to plan my articleand Powerpoint presentations onto SlideShare to demonstrate my knowledge.

Using PhotoshopIn Photoshop CS3 and CS5 Extended I was able to create a variety of effects on different layering formats. With text, I was able to use an extensive range of effects to create the appropriate appearance needed for the typeface. To the left is a screen-grab on the layering style options which taught me how to add colour overlays (multiple colours through the initial) as well as being able to alter the percentage of the opacity of the colour contrast ratio. Other tools I learnt to use in editing font styles (layering formats) was the use of inner and outer glows (to make the text appear more vibrant or surreal), inner and drop shadows to enhance the colours used, how to bevel and emboss within terms on contour and layering (to enhance the patterns on the typeface) and so fourth. Other Photoshop skills I have learnt were involved with cutting out images, applying and moving layers, colour and effect manipulation as well as the understanding of how layering is applied within terms of overlapping, density and opacity.

PhotographyIn my photography for the main publication, I went through a chronological order of stages in planning involving call lists (actors), market research (for costume design), makeup research and planning, locations planning, storyboards and tabulated plans of the photo-shoot in terms of shot types, actors involved and so fourth. I used a Canon EOS 40D digital camera to take my shots. As the locations and shot types were organised I was able to follow my initial shot-list plan as well as taking several others for rough drafts and ideas designing. Through this photo-shoot I learnt several things which needed to be taken care of to ensure high quality images. Such as lighting positioning (where the light reflected off the camera and how direct sunlight focused in on my models in certain angles and so fourth). Thus, I had to take into consideration of how the light was making the image settings appear and what setting on my camera was most appropriate- and in order to do so I needed to take draft photos of the actors and locations on various camera settings (it was carried out in the specific locations to ensure the appropriate setting was appropriate for the outdoor light). But as the shooting day was particularly dull and cloudy there was little experimentation left for shot angles versus the lights reflection (to create interesting shots). Fortunately however, through the use of Photoshop I could alter the levels of the image in terms of contrast, definition, shadowing, exposure and so fourth.