Qu 6: Technologies

I have learnt about many different forms of technologies, and developed my skills in using them during this coursework. The following is a list and short description of the technologies I have used:
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is a program that allows you to digitally create and edit graphics, with this I created the cover, double page spread and the contents page. Whilst I was already a bit familiar with the programme, I learnt a lot about tools such as blending tools, cropping and also the benefits of multi-layering. My teacher mentioned Julian Opie's artwork and suggested I might like it. I did, especially his Blur album cover. On YouTube I fund a tutorial about how to use Photoshop to create Opie style artwork and I thought this would be really good for my magazine. I taught myself how to create this style and I'm really pleased with the results.
Digital Camera
The camera is a tool used to capture a still image of something using the reflection of light on to a special material. I used a digital camera to capture the images for the magazine. I learnt about composition, angles and resolution differences. Once I had practised creating Opie images I knew what type of images I needed to get, close up portrait shots which were well lit.
Lighting
Lighting is a tool used by photographers which allows the user complete freedom about the style of the photo or shot ie, in a studio it could look like it was actually outside with the effects of lighting. I used lighting in my images to reveal the features of the model. I learnt about the difference the lighting can have on an image.
Backdrop
The backdrop is the tool the photographer uses behind the model. I used a blank white screen for my backdrop which allowed me to easily take the model out of the image precisely. I learnt about the differences and effects it has when using different backdrops.
Blogger
Blogger is the website I used to log all my coursework. It is widely used for people to blog their life stories as they come along. I found it a really useful as a format because I could work on it at college and at home and it meant that everything was kept in one place where I could find it. It is limited in terms of formatting though, I would have liked my creative freedom with the way I laid it out.
Flickr
Flicker is a website used to upload and share photos. Using this website allowed me to write evaluations of my work and comment on the tools I have used to construct the magazine. I found this easier than writing up evaluations in the form of sentences because it is more interactive.
DaFont.com
DaFont is a copyright free website which allowed me to use their fonts to create a title for my magazine. If you use their fonts for commercial work you have to pay but I was only using them for my coursework. There are hundreds of fonts available and they are much better than those you can get in Photoshop.