media coursework response

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

2. Technologies used in Research
• During the research stage of my production I used technologies such as the internet.
• I used search engines to find magazines of my genre and I then went to the websites of those specific
magazines. This is an example of multi-platform consumption as the magazines and magazine features are
available online.
Rock Sound
website
• Another way I used the internet was through Blogger. I used this site to compile my research and
compare things side by side in order to decide which elements would work best in my own magazine.
• Blogger: this site allowed me to insert images and links which I was then able to discuss and arrange in an
attractive way so that it was easy for me to refer to the information.
Research post
from Blogger

3. Technologies used in Planning
• Whilst planning my media product, I used various technologies to make my work more effective. For
instance:
• Scanners: although a traditional method, this enabled me to clearly display my sketches of the initial ideas
and designs I had on my blog. I was able to plan out various ideas and then easily upload images of these
to my blog so I could quickly refer to them when they were needed.
• Another technology I learnt about during planning was ‘Test shoots’. This is when practice shots are taken
in the desired locations to see how the lighting will turn out and the best way to alter this. However, due
to the disruptions and issues I had with my models, I was unable to fully complete a test shoot. As a result
of this, when I was taking the photos for my actual shoot, I encountered a couple of lighting issues and so
had to take more photos to practice and try out effects then.
• Again, I used the internet during this stage. This time however it was used to research colours and fonts
that would be appropriate for my genre.

4. Technologies used in Production
• During production, I learnt about the various functions on the camera. As previously
mentioned, I would have completed this during my planning however unfortunately
encountered difficulties with arrangements.
• I discovered that the camera had many settings such as ‘portrait’ that alter the depth of field
and how much the camera focuses.
• Another thing I learnt during this process was the effect that the positioning and the amount
of lighting has on the overall look of the final image. I practised moving around the lights, or
turning some off and making other brighter in order to try different effects and see which
best suited my genre and the desired look of the images.
More lighting on
the right and
aimed from higher
than the models
head.

5. Technologies used in Post-production
• This stage of making my media product was the most time consuming and the one in which I
learnt the most.
• Firstly, after taking my photographs, I opened them in Photoshop in order to manipulate the
images and make them the best in which they could be.
• To do this, I used tools such as the ‘Clone Stamp tool’. This enabled me to take the colouring
from one part of the photo and place it on another, and therefore perfect any blemishes or
undesired shadows.
• I also learnt how to use the ‘magnetic lasso tool’. This made the final look of my product
more professional and it allowed me to move the piercing in my models nose so it was
perfectly aligned.

6. Technologies used in Post-production
• The second stage of post-production was using InDesign which is a desktop publishing
programme. This enabled me to create my contents and double page spread in a professional
manner.
• Although this programme seemed difficult to use at first, one I had learnt about its functions,
it enabled me to create a structured piece of work.
• I was able to do this by using margins and column gutters. These functions meant that my
work was kept aligned and look neat and professional.
• Another aspect I learnt about InDesign is that everything must be placed in boxes to make it
easier to alter them. For instance, images must be placed in image boxes. This then allows
you to either alter the size of the image, or alter the view of the image, essentially like
cropping.