Demographic Skills Development

To further my development of photographic skills I was asked to take a range of composition photos. I had to make sure that lines and shadows were present in every photo. The first photo that I had taken was of my subject leaning against a brick wall. This is an ideal composition photo as there are both shadows and lines present. Including shadows and lines are important as this is what can attract the target audience and add energy to the photo. To make the photo look professional, I had to ensure that the subject was in full sight and the photo focused.

The second photo that I had taken was of my subject standing in the sunlight. I placed my subject in the sunlight as this created a large shadow. Creating a large shadow is essential as it helps make the subject look important. In order to make this photo look professional I had to make sure the subject was in focus. If the subject or any part of the image was not in focus, the photo would not attract the target audience as their eye sight would be drawn elsewhere. When taking the photo I also thought about distance. Distance is important as it can connote different things. I took my photo at a long distance, I have done this as I can capture the full subject and his shadow. If I took a close up, the camera would not be able to catch the full effect of the shadow.

The third photo that I had taken was of the subject lent up against a tree. This is an attractive photo as there is an interesting background and shadows and lines are present. The photo has captured the full subject but at a close up angle. I have taken a close up image as you can see the details on the subjects face and every crinkle in his clothing. An image that holds these features attract the target audience as customers like to see details within an image. I have made sure that there are shadows and lines present within the image. There is a large shadow on the tree as the sun cannot get round the side of the tree and subject and light the rest of the photo. This is a benefit as a bright background and a darker lit subject makes the subject stand out against the background and therefore look important.

The last photo that I had taken was of the subject looking up at the camera. This makes the subject look powerful and important. This is important as this will catch the customer’s eye. I also took into consideration the lighting. Lighting behind the subject has many advantages. The first advantage is that it makes the subject stand out. This is essential as the subject needs to jump out to attract the attention of the customer. Another advantage is that the lighting of the background is the correct brightness. Lighting the background efficiently makes the photo look professional. Creating a professional image is important as it will make the magazine have an overall professional look and feel. I also took the subjects eye line into consideration. The subject’s eye line needs to be in the top third of the page in order to attract the attention on the customer. This is because the reader’s eye line is attracted to the top of the page as the top of the page is more in proportion to the customers overall eye line. If the subject’s eye line was at the bottom of the page, the customer would not engage with the magazine, therefore not selling many copies.

Photoshop Image Editing

I was asked to edit an image in Photoshop. I was asked to transform was a women into a vampire. This is the original image that I am going to edit. I downloaded the image from the internet and imported it into Photoshop. The image is ideal as you can easily see the subject’s eyes and teeth. 

This is the outcome of the editing process. The woman has been transformed into a vampire. I used many techniques in Photoshop. To start I opened the smudge tool and chose the de saturate mode. I them changed the brush size to the appropriate width. I gently applied the brush to the woman to make her de saturated. This feature is essential to make the woman look scary. I then opened the dodge tool and made the woman’s lips redder. This is also essential as vampires have dark vibrant lips. To make her teeth longer and more vampire looking, I opened the magnetic lasso tool. This allowed me to grab a section of the tooth and stretch it down a desired length. I then navigated to edit, transform and warp. This allowed me to complete the editing of the tooth. To make the subjects eyes glow red I first created a new layer. I then coloured the eyes red with the brush tool. I then selected the layer and selected the option linear burn. This made the colour blend in with the eye and create a vampire effect. 

Photoshop Spot Removal Tool

I was asked to use the spot removal tool to remove the infected areas of the subjects face. I downloaded the photo of off the internet and loaded it into Photoshop. Once the image was in Photoshop I navigated to the spot removal tool. I selected and changed the size of the tool. I needed to change the size of the tool to treat both large and small infected areas. The tool is designed to remove spots and marks from the face.

This is the end result. I used the spot removal tool to remove all of the blemishes on the subjects face. This tool is widely used in the fashion industry as it makes models look more attractive. This is a cheap and easy editing technique that is widely available. To use the tool you simply select the brush tip size and ctrl click next to the infected area and then you click on the infected area. It is important to ctrl click next to the infected area first as this gives Photoshop the correct color that the tool needs to use in order to heal the face. If you did not ctrl click next to the infected area, Photoshop would not have a color to use to heal the spot.

Photoshop CD Cover

I was asked to create a CD cover. I opened Photoshop and set the page size to 120mm x 120mm. I set the page this size as this is the size of an average CD case. In order to create an effective cover I had to open a website called www.brusheezy.com the website allowed me to download a wide range of brushes. I downloaded a range of brushes in order to create my CD cover. I inserted the brushes into Photoshop and used them on my CD cover. To create a unique CD I downloaded brushes that would attract the customer and relate to the CD. The text that I used connotes the genre of the DVD as it is a casual yet effective font. Overall, looking at the CD cover, the design is very effective and attractive. This has been done by inserting white text on a dark background and inserting black text on a white background. These colours contrast well with each other and make the CD cover look important.  The colour scheme of the CD is de-saturated. I have chosen to create a de-saturated CD cover as it makes the cover look casual yet important. I have placed the main image on top of a plain white background, by doing this I have made the image look important as it is the only main feature on the cover. The text is also laid out in a way to attract the customer, I have placed the name of the CD on top of the main image as the text connoted the image. I have also placed the track name along the side of the CD, not the top or the bottom. By doing this, it allows me to angle the text so it is not straight. This is effective as is makes the cover look interesting and unique. This method also fills white space and makes the CD look important.

Photoshop Image Development

This is my original image. The image has not been edited or altered. I have selected this image to edit as the subject is an ideal size and has a clear shot of the eyes. This image is the image I would like to use for my magazine front cover. The image is ideal as there is a clear show of the subject and his eyes are the in the top third of the page.

I loaded the image on to Photoshop and started to alter the auto colour and the auto mask. This increased the depth of the image and made it stand out from the background. This is an advantage as it would make the magazine front cover jump out and grab the attention of the customer. As you can see the image is sharper and more vibrant. This makes the subject stand out from the background and create a 3D effect.

This is the third image that I edited in Photoshop. The image has been brightened. Brightening the image prevents the image from looking grey and flat. I also vignetted the image, vignetting the image created a dark area around the image. As you can see I have used this feature to make the subject stand out and catch the attention of the reader. I also lightened up the lighter parts of the image, for example I have made area on the subjects face and jumper whiter by highlighting key areas. This makes the subject stand out drags your eyes to the image.

This is the final outcome. The fourth image that I created has been totally altered. The image has a number of effects present. The main effect is de saturation. I have de saturated the image to give it a classic olden day type look. This would make a magazine interesting as magazines don’t usually use de saturated images. I also used the dodge and burn tool to darken the shadows on the image and highlight the whites within the image. This makes the image look professional and fit for a magazine.

Magazine Front Cover

I was asked to create a magazine front cover for my A-level assignment. The front cover needed to be based on music. I recorded my ideas and went on to create my magazine.

Firstly I needed to take the main image that would be placed on the magazine cover. To take the best image possible I used the manual focus option on the camera. Using the manual focus ring allows me to sharpen the image and create an outstanding cover. If I used the auto focus option, the image may come out blurred, making the image unusable. I was taught a set position in to take the photo. This was called the T stance. The T stance is a unique standing position that photographers use to keep their body steady when taking a photo. Using the T stance allowed me to crouch down and still take a steady photo. I was also asked to take the photo in portrait mode. Taking the photo in portrait is essential as it will allow the image to fit on the front cover perfectly, as the front cover is portrait. If I had taken the photo in landscape mode, the image would not fit on the cover and I would have to stretch the image to make it fill the page. Lighting is also very important when taking a photo. Taking a photo in the correct lighting makes the photo stand out. If a photo was taken in very light or dark conditions, the subject would be distorted and dull. This is not ideal as images need to be eye catching in order to sell the magazine. When taking the perfect photo, eye line needs to be taken into consideration. I used the rule of thirds when taking my photo, the eye line of the subject needs to be in the top third as this area will match the proportion ratio of the customer’s eyes. This allows the customer to engage with the magazine and feel that they are a part of it. The background of an image is essential. I carefully thought about the location that my image was to be taken. The location I had chosen was in front of a row of houses. Taking the image in front of the houses makes the subject stand out and at the same time adds character to the photo. Taking a photo in the correct location will attract the customer as the image will jump out and attract their attention. When taking the photo I handled the subject very well. I told the subject where to stand and how to stand, in order to create an outstanding photo. I don’t think the lack of photographic skills that I had affected the image, as I used all of the instructions that I was given in order to create the best possible image.

After I had taken the image, I loaded it into Photoshop. Inserting the image into Photoshop allows me to edit the photo and create my magazine. There were many features and skills that I used within Photoshop in order to create my magazine front cover. I used the text edit to insert text. I downloaded a unique font from a website called www.dafont.com the website is great to use as it allows me to download a font for almost any type of magazine. I inserted the font into Photoshop and used it to create the outstanding text on my front cover. To make the text stand out I used a drop shadow and an inner shadow. These effects make the text stand out as they jump out off the page to create a 3D effect. I also used a pattern overlay and satin. Using these effects give the text a unique style and makes the magazine effective. I did not use any effects on the photo itself as the image was the correct depth, brightness and colour. The image stands out and catches the reader’s attention, if I used multiple effects, they may make the image look unnatural. Choosing the correct font colour is essential, choosing the correct colour will make the text stand out against the background and catch the customer’s attention. The colours that I used were black and pink. Using black and pink as a text colour scheme is effective as they contrast well with one another.

There are many ways in which I could improve my magazine. I could make the masthead larger. Making the masthead larger is essential as it will jump out and attract the attention of the customer. Another improvement that I could undertake is to move the subject’s eye line further up the page. Moving the subject’s eye line further up the page is essential as customers will be able to connect with the magazine.

The strengths of the magazine are that the magazine uses a good colour scheme. Using a good colour scheme is essential as it will stand out against other magazines that are for sale. Another strength about the magazine is that the magazine uses an effective background image. Using an effective image is essential as it will attract customers and make the magazine look interesting. 

Here are three photos to exemplify my photographoc skills development.

The first image that I had taken had many advantages. An advantage to the image is that it is focused. Taking an image that is in focus is essential as it will stand out and look professional. Another advantage to the image is that the lighting is ideal. The sunlight is shining from behind and reflecting off of the car, this makes the image stand out as there are bright and darker features on the image. The sunlight also creates shadows, creating shadows is essential as they add character to the image. The light illuminates the subject perfectly, he is easily viewable and details can be extracted with ease. This makes the image look professional as the photograph focuses on essential features that would be used to attract attention. Another positive about the image is that the image is set in an attractive location. The image background looks busy and interesting. This is an advantage as the image would attract attention if it was used on the cover of my magazine.

 This image could have been used as the image on my front cover. The image has the correct eye line. The subject is looking down at the customer to show his importance. This is a great way to sell the magazine as this makes the magazine look interesting.  The bad points about the image are that it is out of focus. Using an out of focus image is not ideal as the magazine would look unprofessional and would not attract the target audience. Another negative point to the image is that the subjects face is too bright. This makes the image unusable as this will not make the magazine stand out against competition. The skill that I need to improve on is to work on lighting. Lighting is very important as it can either make the image look professional or make the image look bad.

The third image that I had taken has many negative points. The image is not straight. You can see this as the doorway is not level with the top of the image. If I used this image on my magazine, the magazine would not look attractive as the image looks like it has been taken quickly are carelessly. The subject is also too small. If I used this image on my front cover, the customer would not be attracted as they could not see the small details in the image that would pose an attraction. An area to improve is to make sure the camera is angled straight. Ensuring the angling is straight is essential as it makes the photo look professional. Another area that I could improve is to ensure that I get close up to the subject. Standing close to the subject is essential as small details will become viewable and catch the attraction of the customer.

Initial Skills Assessment

AS Media Production: Technical Skills Audit Print Production

Name: James Thompson            Tutor group:1.04        Date:19.09.2012

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		X
Shutter Speed		X
Aperture control		X
A tripod		X
External flash		X
Self timer facility		X
Light meter		X
Composition grids		X

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
Have you ever used Photoshop ever before?	X		Basic knowledge, used it for GCSE Product Design
Text control		x
Filters	X		Basic knowledge, used it to help design a product
Brushes	X		Basic knowledge, used to design packaging
Layers	X		Basic knowledge, used it to build up an image made from multiple layers
Opacity control	X		Basic knowledge, used it to make a shape transparent on a DVD cover
Shape creation		X
Brightness and contrast control	X		Basic knowledge, used it for GCSE Product Design
Dodge/Burn		X
Clone stamp tool		X
Colour curves adjustment
Resolution setting control		X
Magnetic lasso, polygon lasso tool	X		Basic knowledge, used to trim and constrain a shape
Cropping tool	X		Basic knowledge, used it to crop a shape
Retouch tool		X

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
Have you ever used In design ever before?		X
Margin and column guide creation		X
Inserting text in ID		X
Inserting images in ID		X
Resizing images in ID		X
Text manipulation – resizing, rotation		X
Text manipulation – controlling kerning and leading		X
Text flow creation		X
Text effects – drop shadow		X
Drop cap insert		X
Using transparent imagery in ID		X
Shape creation In design		X
Text wrapping		X
Exporting to PDF from In-design		X