AS Media Progression

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

In the process of making my preliminary task I was aware of the basic techniques of photoshopping such as using the level tool to add contrast and adjust the white balance of the images. I also knew how to use the lasso tool and quick selection tool in order to cut an object out and place it on top of another image. This became very useful for the fact we had to cut out a perfume bottle of our choice if we didn’t place the bottle in the original images. I didn’t know how to add text, blend images, manipulate the skin, manipulate text; they were all things I newly learnt at college through the making of my three objects. I have learnt a great deal about the making of magazine and advert production since September 2012, I think it’s clear to see I have developed in my skills in order to make a good standard of work in media studies. The text has developed in style as I have learnt how to transfer text from secondary sources and manipulate them in Photoshop using the quick selection tool and the clone stamp tool, for example; you can see how I have applied more appropriate text in my third image (my music magazine) than in my first (perfume ad). This is clear as the text is just placed within the image where I thought looked best or wouldn’t overlap my image however as I have progressed I found that it doesn’t matter if the text and imagery is overlapping the image at all and if it’s conventional then it works well.  

If I were to create the preliminary task again I would make sure the alignment of the background was correct for my model. This makes a big difference for example the water feature can’t be seen behind my model, yet this was a key aspect of my statement; being individual. You can look glamorous and casual at the same time. Although the cutting of the bottle is demonstration of my skills I would of put the bottle within the actual image to make sure I have positioned it properly. The text in my eyes is where I needed to improve most however I only know that now as I have developed my skills. In feedback from my tutor I found that it looked as if my text hadn’t had much thought about the positioning, although it had. I would of experimented with different fonts and positions more before confirming them if I had to do this again. Although the image alignment was out abit I think that the costume of my model was good, and worked well with my theme. These are the two things I was confident about when taking my imagery, the photography and the costume. I knew if I was to make more projects in media these are things that I would think about carefully.

It was useful to carry out the preliminary task because it gave us a taster of what we could do, pushing our skills to the maximum. The tutors then knew exactly what we needed to do in order to improve our skills ready for the next project. I found that getting feedback from the preliminary task was a bit disheartening however it was what I needed to motivate myself to do better in the next task. 

My previous feedback from preliminary task:

http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/lauren-mabbett-induction-task/1759483/?ref=link

            The second attempt at a project, my college magazine has shown improvements such as I copied via cut on my models hair and lowered the opacity in order to see my title a lot better. This is a technique I have learnt in the progression. Before I learnt to import text I was able to learn to manipulate it abit by changing the position of the coverline, in this case, for example bend my writing into an arch. I did this by selecting the text to ‘curve’ when in edit mode. I learnt about plugs and competitions, how this can be conventional and useful in a magazine, my media terminology has grew considerably as I began learning the conventions I need in magazines and what to call everything. For example this is just some of the terminology that I have learnt when constructing my college magazine;

Masthead title piece   The magazine's title. Usually displayed in the top left corner.

Price                          Magazine cost.

Date                         Weekly: usually from Saturday to Friday. Monthly: a month ahead.

Issue Number            A tally of magazines.

Barcode                    Read electronically and decoded into usable information.

Teaser                       One word/phrase acts as an attention grabber.

Headline            A phrase that may summarize the main point on the main feature. In large print, different style, bold colours in               order to catch the attention of the reader.

Subtitle                      Smaller headline that may summarize the feature. 

Smaller Feature         Features included in the magazine.

Images Size               CU to med CU. Ranges from the main image to x amount featuring one main image and smaller images. Helps make the page look more interesting. It can add understanding of a story and/or entice someone to read the magazine.

Font                        Style and size of a type face.

Colour                     Specific/stylistic/thematic types.

Graphics                  Graphical shapes to highlight feature(s)

Offers/adverts blurb Banner     Style shape featuring free products/promotions.  

Sell Lines              Small text that sells the title.

Left Third              The left side of the magazine that holds  headlines.

Splash                    Graphics that resemble words.

Credit                   Credit given to the people that have worked on the magazine ( such as the photographer )

Kicker                  This Leads you in to the teller by using catchy words.

Teller                     A short box of information about the subject.

Skyline                  Headline above master headline.

Flash                     Graphics that resemble words.

Graphology           The art of using graphics.

Anchorage             Putting captions on photos to explain the image.

Colour Scheme       Colours presented in the magazine.

Vocabulary             Information relevant to the magazine.

Screamers              Using things such as '!' to create emphasis.

In conclusion I have learnt things such as how to apply the right conventions, produce a correct photo layout, add things to add emphasis to my work. Add and manipulate text in Photoshop to create a more professional looking piece. I learnt about how social media is now interpreted into magazine and technology today. I have become aware of where to put things such as the barcode and coverlines. These are all things that I have learnt over the passed 6 months.