Final Product

Final Skills Audit

AS Media Production: Final Skills Audit Print Production

Photographic Skills

Which of the following photographic features/equipment have you used on a camera before?

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Manual Focus features	Yes		I used the manual focus throughout my photo shoot and throughout the different photo’s that I took while developing my skills. I already had a little bit of knowledge on manual focus but I now have a more extensive knowledge. Using manual focus allows me to make sure that my images are sharp and in perfect focus.
Shutter Speed	Yes		I used the shutter speed when trying to collect movement. I used a longer shutter speed to try and capture the trails of light when moving a torch around. I then used a shorter shutter speed to capture someone who was in mid run/jump.
Aperture control	Yes		I used the aperture setting to take pictures of different items in different field depths. The smaller the aperture, the more of the image is in focus. For example, I took pictures in F22 which mean that the entire image was in focus, but when I went to a larger aperture, less of my image was in focus.
A tripod	Yes		While doing my aperture development, I had to use a tripod to make sure that my images were stable. This meant that there would be no motion blur from me moving the camera, as my camera would pick up the slightest movement from me and it would make my picture less sharp and it would not be as clear as I would have, initially, wanted it to be.
External flash	Yes		I used an external flash when doing my photo shoot. Instead of using a built in flash, I was able to use the soft boxes. This was beneficial to my photos as I was able to create a soft glow with the images instead of a harsh, bright, light from the camera’s flash.
Self timer facility	Yes		I used the self timing facility outside of my media coursework as there was not a lot of need for it in my photo shoot and development skills. We did use the self timer for the aperture; however, we did not use it very much.
Light meter		No
Composition grids	`	No

Photoshop Skills

Which of the following features of Photoshop have you used before?

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Text control	Yes		I used text control to make sure that the text I was using on my front cover looked correct. I needed to make sure that I put all of my text in the correct places, make sure that it was the correct colour/size.
Filters	Yes		I used a filter on my masthead to make it seem as though the text had been torn and worn away. I messed around with several of the different filters to try and create the best effect so I think that I have quite a good knowledge of them, although they would be something I would like to look more into.
Brushes	Yes		I used the different brushes to try and create torn effects of different boxes that I had created, to keep in with the torn and edgy theme that I was trying to create. I used different sizes and styles that I had downloaded from Brusheazy.com
Layers	Yes		I had to use the layers to make sure that different parts of my images were in the right place and that I could adjust them without having to change anything on any of my other pieces. I used several layers to just create text and boxes on my front cover. I think this was effective as it meant that I could move them around into different places without disturbing the rest of my magazine, had I have done it on one layer, I would not have had this freedom.
Opacity control	Yes		I had to use my opacity control to make sure that some of my images/shapes stood out more than others. This was mainly for the boxes that had colour in them. It stopped them being so explicit to the others.
Shape creation	Yes		I had to create different shapes to put my text into. The only shape I really used were rectangles to use as text boxes in order to make my text stand out more than what it initially did. I also used circles to put in an image.
Brightness and contrast control	Yes		I had to change the brightness on some of my pictures to make sure that they were not too bright and not too dark when I put them into my final piece. This helped with my main image to make sure that I had it the right colouring.
Gradients		No
Load selection features		No
Feathering		No
Colour curves adjustment		No
Resolution setting control		No
Magnetic lasso, polygon lasso tool	Yes		I used the magnetic lasso when I was trying to edit a little bit of my front cover photo. It allowed me to edit just what was inside the field and, if I happened to run over the lines, it helped to ensure that I only edited what I selected to edit.
Cropping tool	Yes		I had to crop my main image a little bit, to make sure that I had the right amount of the image showing and the right area showing.
Clone tool	Yes		I used the clone tool to make sure that I took out any imperfections in the image. I used it on small blemishes where I could take a sample from one place and use it to cover the image.
Retouch tool	Yes		I used the retouch tool to make sure that my entire image was as good as I needed it to be. It enabled me to take out small imperfections, but allowed me to keep control and make sure that my models were still relatable.
Other skills			For my other skills, I learned how to use the layer via cut tool. This was where I selected part of the text in my mast head, using the magnetic lasso, to create a tear in the letter and then layer it on top of the original so that I was free to move it around and change the style of it to give it a slightly more torn effect. It meant that I was able to move each individual piece on the layer without having to move around the rest of the text. This meant that I did not have to worry about the text moving around too much as I controlled where I wanted to put each piece.

In Design Skills

Which of the following features of In Design have you used before?

Feature	Yes	No	Comments if yes – where have you completed this skills and to what level
Margin and column guide creation	Yes		I learned how to create margins on my In Design work. It meant that I was able to control where the page was due to end, so that I did not end up with half of my text missing when it came to being printed.
Inserting an image ID	Yes		I learned that I needed to ‘Place’ the image in, In Design in order for my image to be on the actual product.
Resizing images in ID	Yes		I found that I needed to use different arrows to change the size of my image. I had to make sure that I used the right arrow in order to make sure that I sized the image properly.
Text manipulation – resizing, rotation		No
Text manipulation – controlling kerning and leading		No
Text flow creation		No
Using transparent imagery in ID		No
Shape/line creation In design		No
Exporting to PDF from In-design	Yes		I learned that I needed to make sure that I exported my final product to a PDF file so that it could be evaluated.
Text Wrap		No
Other Skills

Number of new skills achieved:

I have learned 11 more new skills. I have become a lot more experienced with using a camera and photoshop as a result of this course. I have also picked up some new skill in In Design, however, I have not picked up a lot as I found it difficult to operate.

Write Up

After redoing my photo shoot, I found that the layout of my front cover was a lot better. I was able to do more with it, while still being able to show the story in my picture. It also helped my magazine to look like it was more professional. With my new image, I had more of a free run with what I was doing with my magazine; I had more space to use. In my previous front cover, there was not a lot I could do as the image was not very workable. Now, however, I have been able to create a more presentable front cover. 

My front cover has taken a lot of time for me to prepare, which means that I have cut into my time in preparing my DPS. This means that, during this week, I will have to put a lot of effort into making sure that my DPS is up to the same standard that my front cover is, and make sure that it is all complete by the time of my deadline. I think that this will be possible, as I do have a better knowledge of PhotoShop now and I do have a clear idea of how I would like my DPS to look. This means that it should be possible for me to create my DPS and front cover and make sure that they are both up to a high standard. 

Write Up

I have found that I will need to retake my photos as the photos that I originally took are too hard to work with. I thought I would be able to work with them, but when it came to putting them on my front cover, I had increased difficulty to arrange my front cover with the pictures I had taken, I will still be able to do my magazine layout, however I will have to make sure I take a lot of pictures, in varied styles to make sure that I do not have to retake anymore pictures as this will cut into my time even more.

 

I think that the layout of my magazine e.g. the sell lines have worked well. They look effective and my peers seem to agree that they work well. To begin with I had a slight problem with the colours I was using as they did not look too well and it all seemed to be a little bit messy but I managed to change them and to make them look more effective by sticking to just two colours that I wanted to use. I kept the red and white theme for my sell lines and as they complimented each other and worked well to give the intended effect. Throughout my magazine I will need to make sure that these colours are consistent on both my front cover and my double page spread. 

 

I am happy with the way that my front cover is coming together, I think that once I get a new image for my front cover and possible some new images for my DPS, my magazine will look a lot more professional and effective than it would with the images I currently have. I would like to be able to make sure that I have a professional looking magazine as I have put a lot of time into trying to make my front cover workable and as professional looking as I can make it. Once I have some new images I will be able to construct my magazine and put all of the final touches to it. Also, with my new images I may have to change the layout of my front cover, if things do not fit properly. This is still going to be easier than having to start my magazine from scratch.