Q6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product?
- 1. What is the process you went through to create your product? Briefly, I started off contacting the models, and from there it lead to the photography aspect of the product and finding the suitable images for the front page, contents and double page spread. Once this was complete, I could then begin the editing process which was the most time consuming, but also the most vital in creating the final product.
- 2. How have you used a DSLR or bridge camera? What have you learnt about using it? Since I have basic knowledge on using DSLR cameras, I used this project as an opportunity to branch out and be as creative as possibly without breaching any conventions that must be kept in order for the magazine to look presentable. I had tried to see what I could do with the shutter speed and therefore tested the continuous shooting mode thoroughly, and I managed to produce the following images: More than anything, I have learnt about the processes of editing, and gained a much more in- depth experience in the construction of a magazine, since I didn’t know a lot about it prior to this project. As for photography, I think it is more so the photography equipment that I had become acquainted with more than the camera. It was definitely interesting to learn more about lighting and how it can illuminate an image, and it was fascinating being behind the camera in such a different environment. If anything, I enjoyed being creative with Photoshop, experimenting with the myriad of tools that the software had to offer, and most of all, becoming a little bit familiar with it, if not entirely. Also, writing the article and realising how void of imagination you can be was interesting to find out too. Although, seeing what it takes to make up a double page spread gives you a new-found respect for journalists, as it tends to be very tedious and thoroughly hard work. I know that making a real article would take a lot more time and patience, but having a glimpse of what it is like to be within the magazine and journalism industry was an overall exhilarating experience.
- 3. What websites did you use through the production? I definitely looked at the online music magazine sites such as http://diymag.com/ and http://www.nme.com/magazine as sites to refer back to in getting information. They were very helpful as they had many online articles which could then help me to gauge and understand the tone in which music magazines of this genre are usually written in, so that my own magazine has the same sort of presence that these indie rock magazines do.
- 4. What post production programs have you used such as Photoshop or any desktop publishing software? Prior to using Photoshop for the creating process, I used Gimp and PhotoScape as a way of testing what it could be like to use a program like Photoshop, and it definitely helped in terms of getting to understand the way these programs work, and on which formats they allow you to edit images, etc. These programs are very useful because as a beginner with Photoshop, I didn't quite know what to expect, so these programs helped me to understand what using Photoshop might be like. PhotoScape
- 5. How have you used web applications and online forums to showcase your research, planning, drafting, final products and evaluation? I have used applications such as Prezi and Slideshare as a means of creatively showing my research and planning in an appealing way. The option to keep these presentations that I had created public is there too, so others who need it can see it an refer back to it whenever they need to. Other applications and presentational sites such as Emaze and PowToon offer the same services, and are all available for free. On all of these web applications, I have also evaluated my work and showcased my final products- all of which can be embedded and placed on the blog where all of my work is visible. Prezi Emaze