How we used…

Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator

Making a Gradient BackgroundWe made a gradient background by creating a new layer, filling it black and then using the eraser tool, rubbing away the part we wanted until the effect of the gradient was achieved.

Creating the Paint Effects

In adobe illustrator we made paint effects and then copied them into Photoshop for the graphic and unique effect. By selecting the symbols in illustrator and then dragging them onto the canvas we were able to edit them to our own preference by breaking the link of the symbol. Once the link had been broken we could edit the colour, size and dimensions of the shape, this is what we did before placing it on the magazine spread.

Creating a Drop Shadow

Creating a drop shadow was simple editing technique which enabled us to add a personal and differential approach to our magazine, whilst keeping to the genre and considering the target audience. To create a drop shadow we double clicked on the image layer, selected the drop shadow box and then pressed ‘ok’. The colour we chose our drop shadow to be was black. Right clicking then enabled us to create a layer from the ‘drop shadow’ effect. Once this was done we could move the drop shadow and position it separately from the actual image. We also changed the transparency so it wasn’t as sticking but more attractive to the audiences eye.

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Creating a Drop Shadow…Playing around with the drop shadow made us unsure of which shadow to use as they all portrayed different effective visual expressions. To help us decide we did some audience research to help get some opinions from the target audience.

Editing the Images

We edited the images by removing the background with the magic wand tool the selection tool and the polygon selection tool. We then duplicated the image so there was two layers, doing this allowed us to make to top layer black and white and keep the underneath layer colour, with this in mind Alice then erased the logo of the top on the black and white layer so the red from the colour layer showed through. Harry did the same on his with the red lips.

Evaluation

By using Illustrator as well as Photoshop we were able to achieve a more professional and graphic look to our magazine spread. Editing the images was an important part of the process in making the magazine spread, we feel we achieved the legit look by editing the contrast and using the colour splash technique for the lips of the model on Harry Brown’s and the logo of the t-shirt on Alice Cowlings. Overall the use of Photoshop and illustrator was convenient and worthwhile.