Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

In my photo shoot I learnt how to use the DSLR camera. Using this piece of technology meant I could easily make my photos high quality, therefore them looking professional. Using the zoom and the focus part of the camera, meant the photos always were at the best quality they could be. The zoom meant I could use different camera shots for my photos. Making them look slightly different from each other. It also meant I could catch the models emotions better, the closer the photo meant features like costume and makeup were clear to the audience. This would help attract the audience to buy my magazine. Along with the camera came the tripod. This is used to create the different angles in my photos. High and low angles were easily achieved using this, as the camera was always steady and in level with my models, however could easily be turned into a different kind of camera shot. All of these different techniques meant the photos would appeal to my audience and would attract more attention.

Camera

Backdrops and lighting used

Before starting my photo shoots I researched magazine covers the same as my genre. A lot of indie magazines use brick walls/graffiti as backgrounds in the photo shoots. I decided the use of a brick wall for my background would make my shoot more interesting and also show off the genre more. It is also quite plain and so it wouldn’t distract attention from the artists or any of the writing on my front cover.

I used the studio to practice taking photos in. The lighting in there makes the photos look more professional, also being clear if I was to put writing over the top. It also clearly shows the faces and expressions on the model’s faces. However, I decided not to use these photos due to it not emphasising my genre as much as a brick wall. It creates a grungy effect to the photos.

Backdrops Lighting used

PhotoshopI used this tool to crop photos precisely around the models. For example on my front cover I did this so that I could place the models heads over the top of my masthead. I used the colour balance

tool to give my photos an orange and yellow effect. I dragged down the red and blue colour to do this.

Depending on the photo, I used the photo filter effect to make the photos look vintage. After looking through each filter I needed one that made the photos look vintage. There was a ‘sepia’ and ‘warm’ filter that I used together to do this. It made them look orangey and rustic.

Using the shapes tool, I created boxes around the text which is something other music magazines do.

The text tool is something I used a lot in my magazine. I downloaded different fonts from dafont.com to make my magazine look original.

Photoshop was key in making my magazine. I learnt to use all the tools properly in a way to make my magazine look realistic and professional. I only used Photoshop when creating my front cover, this was due to having the layers so that I easily change anything I had done. It was also easy to change the tone and colours in the photos. This meant I could create a house style by having similar filters and effects on my photos.

InDesignThe stroke tool added a box around a photo or text. It gave the photos a 3D effect and made them stand out on any background – especially on the brick wall for my front cover.

I used the colour tools to change the colour of the text. I kept the colours in a folder so I could use the colours again to give the magazine a clear house style.

The effects I used on most things. On the text it gave them a 3D effect the same as the photos. I used the drop shadow effect on basically everything.

These tools I used to crop the text around photos.

The tools on InDesign are very similar to Photoshop so I could transfer my ones from there. I applied the skills I already had and learned how to use new tools. Some of the tools I found difficult but with my mock magazines I developed them, one of the tools I found difficult was the straight line tool, where as a tool that I found easy was the text tool as I used my knowledge from photoshop.

The opacity tool was used to change the transparency of the shape I placed over the images.

Websites usedDafont has really helped with me creating my magazine. It has helped me vary in the fonts I use. This makes it easier for me to give my magazine an individual house style. Getting handwritten style fonts and simple fonts makes my genre clear throughout my magazine. It will also mean it will appeal better to my target audience.

I have been able to plan my research clear well using sites like Prezi, its shown the various ways I can present information. Its meant my organisation has been overall better and also shows clearly what I have done. It has made my blog look more appealing with the different sites I have used.

Pinterest helped massively in the making of my magazine. Its key element in this was being able to research costume, makeup, and styles for my magazine. Colour schemes had a wide variety on Pinterest and so I could see which would work well together. It gave me a lot of inspiration and helped me create a unique style for my indie magazine.

Survey monkey helped in my research and planning as it helped me create a database full of what my target audience want to see in my magazine. I can come back and refer to this so that I fully understand the likes and dislikes the audience have. Meaning my magazine will be suitable to my audience.