Aperture Practice

I practised and learnt about aperture control when taking photographs. I didn't manage to save or upload any images, but here is an example image of aperture control:

Aperture control is about changing the depth of field of the shot, it can be used to get effects like the ones shown in this example image.

Changing the aperture makes the background go out in and out of focus, but keeps the main image in the foreground in focus. This can be used to give an impression of distance, or to keep all attention on the model/main object being photographed.

To change the aperture and get different focus on the backgrounds, you have to change the F stops.

For a thin depth of field, you use a low F stop, for example, this image is taken with the setting F3.5

A thin depth of field is used to keep the focul range small, so the image is concentrated on the foreground object, with the background blurred.

A medium depth of field can be taken with a slightly higer setting, for example this was taken with F9.



The use of a medium depth of field gives a nice balanced shot between foreground, and background.

Aperture settings can also be altered to get a large depth of field, this image used F22.

Large depths of fields keep both the foreground and background in focus.

Practice Double Page Spread

To get used to InDesign, I created a mock double page spread layout.

This was the first time I had used InDesign, so I had to learn how to use it from scratch.

The first thing I learnt about was about creating text boxes and using the program's snapping features to allign all the boxes. I also used the place feature to place a word document into the magazine.

The main text has a drop cap, which is another feature I learnt about when creating this mock up, which helped give the page a professional feel.

I also learnt how to resize images in the program, which was a great advantage, as it helped me in being able to make my final product.

Overall, I feel this mock up was a great learning experience, as it gave me a great advantage in using the program InDesign, and helped me in creating the final double page layout in Unit 3.
I think if I did more practice, by creating more mock up pages, I would know almost all of the program's features, which would help make an even more professional looking layout.

Unit 3 Final Product

This is the final outcome of my Front Cover, and double page spread.

Print Skills Audit Progression

Production Monitoring Blog: 22nd March 2011

Progress:
This week, I finished writing the article. This was a good achievement becuase it means that I have more time to concentrate on the development of the front cover and double page spread. This is the article:

You’ve all heard about global warming, right? What do you really know about it? Temperatures increasing every year – that can’t be that bad can it? But is it more than just getting hotter?

Global warming is a major problem across the entire world, pollution from carbon dioxide- mostly known as CO2, is being pumped into the earth’s atmosphere every second. But what does this actually do? Carbon dioxide gets trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. This trapped gas stops heat from the sun from leaving the atmosphere, making temperatures rise. Scientists have said that the earth’s temperature is increasing just under 1^oC every year. You may say that’s not much, but I have felt the effects of this; I can now get a tan on Christmas day!

But why is this bad? Surely England needs some better weather. The answer is simple. The hotter temperatures have dramatic results on the Earth – the polar ice caps are melting! Every year, glaciers all over the world melt away a little more each second. Imagine, making a bowl of ice-cream, only to blink and it’s all gone! That’s not all! The glaciers are more important to us than you may think. 40% of the entire earth’s drinking water comes from the glaciers in the Himalayas. I don’t know about you, but I think I might struggle with hot temperatures and no drinking water!

Is there anything else? The answer is yes. Global warming has other disastrous effects other than melting all the ice. The rise in temperatures is also the cause of natural disasters! Floods, hurricanes, cyclones, these are all caused by the rise in temperatures. Over 20 million people were made homeless due to a natural disaster in 2008. This is a major problem. In the future, there will be more and more disasters, so you could become homeless next!

What is there now? Global warming is melting the ice caps, causing floods and storms, and making you sweat a bit more than usual. So how is it caused? The short answer is us. From pollution, to not switching a light off – we all do it, including myself! Factories, cars, burning all sorts of fuels, these all add up to the global crisis!

So, I will tell you ways in which to prevent global warming, from the simple to the extreme, if you feel like a challenge.

I am not the greatest eco-warrior in the world, but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve to keep the jingles of the ice-cream vans driving through my street. One of the easiest ways of preventing global warming is by turning things off, and not keeping them on standby! (This means making sure that little red light on your TV is not on!) Turning things off is an effective way, as it saves energy! This means that power plants don’t have to cause pollution for providing the wasted energy of keeping something on standby. It’ll also save money on the bills to!

Another simple way of being green is to recycle.  Recycling things like bottles and bags reduces pollution. If they were simply thrown away, more would have to be made. Throwing away plastic is a bad idea, because it takes forever to rot!

Energy saving light bulbs are essential! My house is filled with them. They do exactly what it says on the box, save energy! These magic little light bulbs use little energy, so it not only saves some more money, it’ll help the planet as well.

If you are feeling a little more green, you may want to plant some trees! Trees and plants are an amazing ally against global warming, because of photosynthesis. If you don’t know what this is, it’s a process a plant does, where it turns carbon dioxide, into oxygen. This makes there be less carbon dioxide to be trapped in the atmosphere! I think my house might as well be a jungle with the amount of plants I have scattered about- maybe you don’t have to go as far as me!

There are many ways you can help stop global warming, be it big or small, you can do it. So now you are feeling green and environmental – go out there and prevent global warming. Remember, every little helps!

I managed to complete the design of the front cover, except I am still missing photographs.

To create this design, I used a fill gradient for the background. For the border effect I drew rectangles, each on a different layer, and used the Liquify tool to make them jagged. I then added a drop shadow and stroke effect to ceate the black lines and shadows.

On the text, I used the text tool to write the text, and applied a stroke and drop shadow to each text.

The 'FREE' logo was made using the cirlce shape tool to draw the red circle. I then added a gradient tint and texture to give it its raised effect. I also defined the shape more by adding Belevel and Emboss, and a stroke line. It also has a drop shadow on it took make it look raised.

I got the layout design by looking at existing magazine covers, and mimicking the style. The colours used stick to the three colour scheme, which makes the cover look less cluttered and appealing.

The biggest problem I have of this front cover so far is that I have no photographs. Once I get the photographs, the fron cover will be finished.

On the double page spread, I worked more on the designed, and developed the layout of it, making it look more stylised. I also imported the article into inDesign, using the Place tool, and selected the Word file of the article.

I created the background of the article in Photoshop, by using the gradient fill for the background colour. I then added a white square another layer and lowered the opacity to make it more transparent. I then copied the image into inDesign to use as the background.

The only problem I have now is that I need the photographs to put onto the double page spread.

This week I booked a photoshoot, for the 29th of March. For this I will get the photographs I need o complete the deisgn of the magazine.

Targets:

• Make sure all props are gathered
• Take the photos
• Finalise final product

Contingencies:
A problem that can happen is that the camera during the photoshoot breakes, cuasing loss of images or being unable to take  them. To make sure this doesn't cause problems I will test the camera before taking the images.
Another problem is that the model doesn't show up. For this I will make sure I have a backup model.

Magazine Front Cover Development

In this developent I created a mock-up front cover for a music magazine aimed at a teenage target audience, in order to develop the skills for the final project.

Photography Skills

I developed my photography skills during this project as I learned how to control the model for certain poses and about the best way to frame the shot.
In this photograph, I framed the model so that they were slightly off centered in order to put the text and headlines around the image.
I used a slight upward tilt on the camera to reinforce the image of the model as being rebellious and powerful, as an upward tilt makes it as though the model is looking down on you.
It was fairly easy to control the model and tell her how she should pose, as she was cooperative and managed to follow the directions clearly to give the final pose. The pose I asked her to do was one that makes her look rebellious and in control, as she is supposed to be representing a new rock star.
I made sure that the eyeline of the model was as centered on the front cover as possible, in order for the attention be directed to the image making it the ore prodominant feature of the cover.
I didn't have any lighting problems when taking the image, as I took the picture in a well lit place. There was also no background problems, as the picture was taken against a clear white background, which made it easier to cut out the main image using photoshop.
In conclusion, this project helped improve my photography skills as it helped me learn to communicate with the model, and how to find appropriate areas to take photographs with good lighting and clear backgrounds.

Photoshop Skills

I developed many skill in photoshop when designing this magazine.
The first skill I developed was using gradients. For the background I used a fill gradient, but edited the angle and colours to make it look unique.
I also developed typography skills, as I created a stroke around the text for certain effect. Also I used the website http://www.dafont.com/ to find the font used in the magazine. I downloaded the font and stored it in the Fonts folder on the computer.
To make sure everything on the cover was alligned, I created margain guides. I made sure there was a border around the page to allow for everything to be in a suitable frame.
I also used the 3 colour scheme, of red, black and white. This helped the magazine seem less cluttered and more pleasing to the eyes.
I also used the rectangle tool to create the banner where the headline is. I then used the shear tool to make the rectangle to become angled. I then rotated the text to make it line with the angled banner.

Connotations:
The main sell line of this cover creates an enigma code. The healdine is 'Introducing.. the new face of music' This is myseterious, asl it urges the reader to read the magazine to find out who this new star is.
The main image shows a link with the headline, hinting that she is this new mysterious star.

Targets for Unit 3:
The main taget for Unit 3 is to make more use of the margain guidelines, and create a larger border around the page to allow for more allignement. I will also take photographs in a studio, so it is easier to edit the background of the image, as a solid colour is easier to crop out.

Production Monitoring Blog: 15th March 2011

Progress:
Last week I started to design the layout of the front cover and double page spread on the computers, using Photoshop for the front cover and inDesign for the double page spread.

For the front cover, I downloaded a font from http://www.dafont.com/ and used this font as the main font. I also created a mast head using this font. The magazine is called 'the INFO magazine' because it is a informative magazine for students which informs them of the current affairs of the world in a way appealing to them. I mimicked the layout that I designed on the flat plan, and kept as much to the design as possible, beacuase it seemed as it was already the best layout for it. I created all the sell lines and offers on the cover, and now need images from the photoshoot. To create the background colour I used the Fill Bucket tool on the lowest layer to create one solid block colour.
To create the mast head, I created each word on a different layer. This made it easier to arrange the text to make it look stylised.

On the double page spread I copied the design scheme of my flat plan. I used the same colour scheme and made place holders for the headline, columns, quotes and images. For the background I used the rectangle shape tool to draw a rectangle, and filled in the colour. I used the text box tool to create the columns, and the frame tool to create areas for the images to go.

This is what the Double page spread layout looks like so far

This week I also started to write the draft article. I wrote the introduction paragraph, and the first few paragraphs of the article:

You’ve all heard about global warming, right? What do you really know about it? Temperatures increasing every year – that can’t be that bad can it? But is it more than just getting hotter?

Global warming is a major problem across the entire world, pollution from carbon dioxide- mostly known as CO2, is being pumped into the earth’s atmosphere every second. But what does this actually do? Carbon dioxide gets trapped in the earth’s atmosphere. This trapped gas stops heat from the sun from leaving the atmosphere, making temperatures rise. Scientists have said that the earth’s temperature is increasing just under 1^oC every year. You may say that’s not much, but I have felt the effects of this; I can now get a tan on Christmas day!

But why is this bad? Surely England needs some better weather. The answer is simple. The hotter temperatures have dramatic results on the Earth – the polar ice caps are melting! Every year, glaciers all over the world melt away a little more each second. Imagine, making a bowl of ice-cream, only to blink and it’s all gone! That’s not all! The glaciers are more important to us than you may think. 40% of the entire earth’s drinking water comes from the glaciers in the Himalayas. I don’t know about you, but I think I might struggle with hot temperatures and no drinking water!

Is there anything else? The answer is yes. Global warming has other disastrous effects other than melting all the ice. The rise in temperatures is also the cause of natural disasters! Floods, hurricanes, cyclones, these are all caused by the rise in temperatures. Over 20 million people were made homeless due to a natural disaster in 2008. This is a major problem. In the future, there will be more and more disasters, so you could become homeless next!

To write this article, I used parts and ideas from the first of the two story ideas I wrote in the story style plan. I used the research I gathered to get the information and statistics used in the article, for example 'Over 20 million people were made homeless....'

The main problem I have now is that I don't have any photographs yet, as I need to book the photoshoot.

Targets:

• Book a photoshoot
• Complete writing the article
• Finalise the layout of the double page spread and front cover.

Contingencies:
The biggest problem is that I don't get a photoshoot booked in time, and end up with no images to use on the final product. To avoid this, I will book the earliest possible photoshoot slot that is still available.
Another problem is that the data could become corrupt. To stop this from being a problem I will backup work on the college computers, and on a memory stick.

Production Monitoring Blog: 8th March 2011

Progress

 Last week I started the Pre-Production for my final product.

 The first thing I started to develop was outlining two potential articles that I would write. This involved thinking of headlines, outlining the article, and writing an introduction paragraph. I chose to think of two contrasting ideas, mainly contrasting in the tone of the article, for example one is a humorous article, the other is serious.
 After planning these articles I decided to continue with the humorous theme and will develop this article further for my final product.

 I also created mock front covers. The first idea was of an empty recycle bin surrounded by rubbish bags. I thought of the headline 'They're not going to do it themselves' which is hinting that global warming is not a problem that will solve itself, people must do something about it.

 The second was of an empty sleigh - with the headline 'Putting a man out of a job'. This was referring to Santa and being a humorous take on global warming. However, this idea was changed to a more simpler one of an ice-cream man holding an empty ice-cream cone. I liked this idea, and chose to develop it further for the final product.

 After creating the mock front covers, I then began developing the ideas, by designing a flat plan and rational. I chose to develop the ice-cream man idea, and designed the front cover using this idea. To design these, I looked at existing magazines and got idea for layout in both the front cover and double page spread.

Targets

My main targets for this week are:

• Finalise my idea and develop and plan what imagery will go alongside it - mainly for the double page spread.
• Write a draft article to help with developing the idea.
• Gather props and costume for the model to wear in the photoshoot.
• Find a model for the shoot.
• Book a photoshoot in the studio, after I have gathered the props and models.

Contingencies
The main problem that can happen is the work on the computer could become lost or corrupt. To prevent this I made backups on other computers and a memory stick.

Front and Side Lighting

Front Lighting

 Front lighting is where the face is lit completely by light hitting it straight on. This allows the facial features to be accented in the image. Front lighting accents female faces more than male faces as it allows the full face to be seen and amkes a more youthful and radient appearence. For this reason front lighting is mainly used with a female model, and it is more common in the beauty and fashion industry.

In this photo the light allows most of the face to be seen, however I was unable to find a good light source to completley light the face, which is why there is still a slight shadow on the side.

Side Lighting

Where light comes from the side and casts a shadow on one side of thie face. This can be used to create a sense of mystery to the character due to the face being covered in shadow. Side lighting accents male features more than female features because it defines masculine bone structure, such as the jaw line. For this reason side lighting is used mainly on male models.

This photo displays side lighting effectively as there is a definate shadow covering half of the face. This gives the picutre and model a sense of mystery. The framing is also effective as well as the model is postioned in the left side of the image making him the more dominant focus.

Skills Development (5/11/10)

Practical - Shutter Speeds
 
In this practical I learnt about shutter speeds on a camera and how to use them effectively for certain shots and effects. A fast shot is to capture a freezeframe of movement, and a slow speed is to capture movement.

A Fast Shutter Speed Shot:

To capture this I first tried a speed of 1/500, which wasn't fast enough. I then tried 1/1000 and still not a good shot. Then when I got to the speed 1/6000 the image came out like this.

I think the freezeframe came out well because the leaves are crisp and clear, not blurry.
This would be useful to capture the images of a moving car or train in the next unit.



A Slow Shutter Speed Shot:

At first I started with a speed of 1/30, which didn't capture the light good. I went to 1/15, which again didn't capture much movement. This image was eventually taken at a speed of 3.

I think this is good as the light trails are clearly defined. I can't think of someething to do this for in unit 3 yet.



The next skill I need to develop is camera focus, or lighting, so the pictures aren't too blurry or dark.

Photoshop Tutorial
  
Tutorial - Fire Text Effect

I followed a tutorial to create a text effect of fire. I learned about using the Liquify tool to create the flames effect, and also how different opacity and blending combinations can be used.

Initial Skills Audit

Introduction Project

Photographic Story Board

Flat Plan & Rational

Final Print Product

Evaluation

In this project I used a range of skills to produce a final print product. These skills involved planning a storyboard, designing a flat plan, photography and Photoshop work.  I feel that I have developed all of these skills throughout this project, and in the next project I think I will be more experienced in all of these areas.

The skill I think I have developed the least is working on Photoshop. This is because I had previous experience with the program, so could work with it quite easily. For example, I already knew how to use the selection tools to select certain parts of the image, and I also knew how to create text and apply effects to the,.However, I have improved some of my skill with the program, as I learnt extra techniques to use with the program, for example how to cut an image more definably using the magnetic lasso tool.

The skill I had the most development on was the photography, as I had never used the type of camera I used in this project before, so I had to learn how to use this camera properly. I also learnt about different types of shots, like long-shots, and medium shots. During the project I learned how to position the camera in certain ways to get the best shot, but photography was still the weakest area for me, as it is what I had the least experience with.

I feel that I developed on planning projects as well. I had never created a Flat plan to create a print poster before, so this was something new I learned, and it helped me think and plan out what I was going to do during the project. I think that I could have improved my flat plan more by writing more about the rational. I wasn't sure about what to write for the rational as I had never done one before, so if I could do this project again I would create a more detailed rational.

I had a few problems during this project. The main problem was my photography. As I had little experience with photography, some pictures came out incredibly blurred or out of focus.  I think that if I did this project again later in the course, I would have improved my photography skills, so the pictures would be of even better quality.

Another problem I had was trying to find a location to take the pictures. My group spent almost an hour looking for an empty classroom to shoot in. I think if we could do this project again, we should plan ahead and find out when a classroom is empty and take pictures then.

The target audience for the advertisement was male students, aged between 16-18, from social class ABC1. I think that the final print poster engages the audience’s attention because we used models that fall into this age group.  This is effective as the target audience would relate to these models because they are the same age. It also relates to the audience, as the poster is set in a classroom, which students could relate to.

In conclusion, I think the main thing I would improve if I did this project again would be the photos, as they were the weakest part of the project. I also think that the group should have improved organisation, to be able to get a larger variety of photos.  I think that the final print product works though, as it seems like it would attract the target audience.