Q6:Technology – What have you learnt about technologies

from the process of constructing this product?

Poppy Beamish-Benson AS Media

Imac G5• The Imac G5 has a 2GHz intel core 2 duo

processor, 3GB (667 Mhz) memory and a mac HD startup disk. This computer was first made in 2005, later discontinued in 2006. This is the

computer I used to produce my media product.

Keyboard and mouse• While using the macs, I realised that the controls

were different to that of which I normally used. Instead of having a ‘printscreen’ button, I had to use three separate keys (APPLE-SHIFT-4) to take screenshots of the page.

• To copy and paste objects I had to use APPLE-C and to paste had to use APPLE-V.

• I also had to use the up and down keys due to the mouse not scrolling down which was again different to other computers I had used before.

Nikon D3100• The camera I used for my various images was The Nikon D3100. This camera has a manual Aperture setting that was set to 11, and a shutter Speed of 1/300th. This was set specifically due to the addition of strobe lights enabling us to takePhotos successfully for our magazine.

Strobe lights• For the lighting of the images, we used strobe

lights. The dial on the back of the light adjusts the lighting output, this we had set to modelling light on due to it being appropriate for the purpose of our images. The auxillary lights were to slave, this meant that they were triggered in-sync by built in light sensors. This made it easier for us to take our images due to the lighting being coordinated and efficient.

Horseshoe Flash Trigger• To trigger the flash we used the Horseshoe

flash trigger, this uses an infra red signal that is sent to the strobe light. The flash then triggers the flash in-sync with the camera shutter (speed set to 1/300th sec to match strobe speeds). This piece of equipment ensured that our images would be well timed and taken to their full potential. It was attached to the camera making it easier for us to take the images and use the trigger at the same time, this helped while taking my image due to the strobe lighting being something completely new to me therefore the trigger made the process easier and more efficient for me while taking my images.

Soft Boxes• We used soft boxes within our photo-

shoots to disperse the light and give a softer, rounder light on the subject. This avoided harshly lit images which would’ve looked over edited and less-effective within our magazines. They were placed on either side of the backdrop to make the shadows within the image equal thus making it look more professional and eye-catching to the viewer.

Backdrop• We used a clean, white backdrop which

was lit further by two additional strobes on full power to create high exposure. This made the images look more effective, with a white background making our models the focus of the image. A busy background with more colour would’ve made the images look tacky and crowded thus making our magazines less enticing for the reader.

Photoshop• The main piece of software I used to

create my magazine was Adobe Photoshop. This program enabled me to sue several different tools to successfully edit my images making them appear more professional, while also improving their quality. A key tool I sued while editing my images was the ‘magnetic lasso’ tool which allowed me to select parts of my image, such as my model. I could then enhance the image by changing the brightness and contrast levels in addition to adding shadows with the burn tool and turning specific parts to black and white to highlight parts of the image such as my models hair and clothes.

Photoshop• Another feature of photoshop that I had

to use was layers; layers enabled me to copy parts of the image to duplicate them such as my models hair to overlap of parts of text. Text could also be placed in a separate layer to create an ordering where some layers would be more prominent than others, each new item placed on the image would be created as a new layer therefore they had to be named and ordered in a specific way to ensure the cover and other images were successful.

PhotoshopThe magnetic lasso tool enabled me to select specific parts of the image to enhance and alter.

The crop tool enabled me to crop images to the exact size that I needed, such as my contents images.

The fill tool allowed me to add shadows to parts of the image and change the colour of areas, such as parts of my models tie-dyed top.

I used the text tool to add text to my images, such as quotes and conventions for my cover.

• The separate tools for photoshop were placed on a bar at the side of the page, making them easily accessible and visible.

Photoshop

• There were also ‘auto’ tools that we could use to correct our photos and alter there contrast and lighting. This made editing easier due to the computer enhancing the image for you.

In Design

• Indesign was another programme that was key in producing my magazine, with the main body of text being added to my article through the tools provided. Indesign was similar to photoshop with there being layers and a toolbar at the side. To begin with, the programme was quite challenging to use due to it being new to me, however after using it regularly I understood the tools and their functions.

In DesignI used the arrow tool to move my text and image within the page to the correct spacings and places making it more professional.I used the text tool to copy my main body of text onto my article and to edit and adapt it to fit within my article page.

I used the layer tool to create columns for my text within the page.

In Design• Indesign enabled me to create character

styles, such as a large character at the beginning of the article text, in addition to creating paragraphs and finding specific fonts.

Powerpoint

• I decided to use powerpoint to produce some of my evaluation questions due to it being an effective presentation tool. Powerpoint enabled me to add text and images to effectively present my product evaluation within my blog.

Safari• The internet on the macs was

different to that of a windows computer, with the controls being different such as adding new tabs to the page.

Wordpress• We have used wordpress.com to

produce our blogs and present our magazine. While using this site I have learnt how to embed files and media to present my work in a professional and easily accessible way. I have learnt how to create posts and pages to present my work in specific ways.