Initial Skills Assessment

AS Media Production

Technical Skills Audit Print Production

Name: Andrew Brown                           Tutor group: 1.22                Date: 13/04/11

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		I experimented with manual focus in skill development lessons. I used manual focus when learning about poses, shutter speed and aperture settings. I think I have made good progress with this feature and need to experiment more so that I can be able to become faster at focusing an image.
Shutter Speed	X		I used this feature in a skills development lesson. We took slow shutter speed photos in the dark using a torch. While the lens was open, it captured the light of the torch and this meant we would do shapes. I also used fast shutter speed. I got someone to run past or do a cartwheel and then captured the image, Since the shutter speed was fast the image didn’t blur. I think I have used these skills effectively but can improve on the timing of my shots when using fast shutter speed, so I get the right shot, and the control of the camera when using slow shutter speed, so it doesn’t blur.
Aperture control	X		Aperture control was the topic for one of my skills development lessons. We took photos of an object using 3 different f-stops so we could explore the field of depth. I used 3.5, 9 and 22 and explored how the focus changed depending on what f-stop I used. These photos turned out successful as there was a clear different between the photos. I could improve my skills further by taking more photos with different objects and different backgrounds.
ISO Control	X		This feature was used in the same skills development lesson as the aperture control. Different amounts of light were absorbed by the camera though the different shots we took. I don’t think that I used this skill very effectively as I don’t think I had much knowledge about the feature. All my attention was on aperture control and not on the ISO control.
A tripod	X		I used a tripod when doing aperture control. I used this because the camera needed to be kept very still when taking the photos as the shutter was open for a significant amount of time and the slightest movement of the camera could blur the image and therefore I used a tripod so the image would stay still. Also it allowed me to keep the camera in the same place so I could easy compare the differences between the f-stop. I feel as if I have used the tripod effectively because my photos came out the way I wanted to and the focused part of my photo wasn’t blurry. I would like to increase my skill of using a tripod by using it with different features and doing different kinds of shots.
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		Before I started the course I had no experience of Photoshop what-so-ever. But I have learnt a lot about the programme and developed a lot of skills which has helped me very much with producing my magazine cover and double page spread. I also think the skills I have learnt are effective although there is quite a big room for improvement as there is still more to learn about the software.
Text control	X		I used text control from the very first task I did. I had to create an advert and the text I put on only had a drop shadow. For my first time suing the product I think I did a good job but it wasn’t effective. I then used text in my magazine mock up. I used downloaded fonts and stokes. I also completed a tutorial for my main sell line text. I also used colour which I managed to get from my models t-shirt. The text worked but everything did look a bit flat. In my final production the text which I used had downloaded fonts, a range of colours, strokes, drop shadows and my main sell line text had been cut out of its background. This was effective as everything worked however I do think I could have been more aware of my space and font size.
Filters	X		I have only used one filter tool. The filter which I have used is the gaussian blur tool. I did this in my independent learning through a Photoshop tutorial. I used it to blur colours in together so it looks as though theres a flow of colour. I think I used this tool well as I had got the outcome I wanted. I could explore different filters to greatly improve my skills.
Brushes	X		I have learnt how to use brushes and greatly developed my skills. I referred to brushes a little bit while doing my first tutorials but I first started to use brushes properly when doing my magazine mock up. I downloaded some brushes and changed the colours of them to give my magazine a design. When doing my Unit 3 production I used a range of brushes to edit the face. I downloaded some brushes and changed the colours to edit the red burnt part side of her face. I extended it further down her face and used different colours to give it some texture. I could improve by using different brushes on different images.
Layers	X		I first experimented with layers when doing my induction project. I found that it was easier to put everything on a new layer as it was easy to select and easy to delete. I also used layers to overlap an image with another image. I overlapped the photo of a girl with red sauce with a red cross. I next used layers when I was doing the magazine mock up task. I used an image as a background and then I put item over the top of it such as text. I also used brushes to and put them of the image too. In one of my tutorials I used different layers and then used the blending options on the layers to give different effects. I used the blending mode overlay, colour and soft light to give off different effects. In my unit 3 production I used layers in a variety of ways. I duplicated my background layer with my main image on, moved my layer with the masthead in between the two background layers and cut some of the overlapping layer so my main image overlapped my mast head and the background was still behind everything. I also used layers so that I could have a sell line images on a green bar and so I can have text one some shapes. I could improve by continuing to use layers and by using different blending options to explore the effects.
Opacity control	X		I first explored opacity control when I was doing one of my tutorials. I used opacity on duplicated layers so that they became transparent and the lines underneath the image could be seen. In my unit 3 production I used opacity control on my mast head. I did this so that the colour wouldn’t become so dominant and so the image behind it was still visible. I also changed the opacity on a green bar at the bottom of the magazine. Again I did this so the image underneath was still visible. I think I have used this tool effectively as I got what the effect which I wanted but can expand on the tool by using it on different images and exploring what different effect this tool offers.
Shape creation	X		I haven’t used the shape creation tool much while using Photoshop. In my unit 3 production I used it to create an arrow for my main sell line to go on. This was effective as it stood out from all the other sell lines. I also used a star shape for my price to go on. This was effect as it was eye catching and it also makes the reader more likely to buy it. I think the way I have used the tool so far is effective but I can improve by using all the shapes and using them to do different things such as make a cartoon image or something.
Brightness and contrast control	X		I’ve controlled brightness and contrast on my final product to make the image brighter and also to make the ride side of my models face redder. Doing this was effective as it makes the message more power and also makes the nice side of my models face more appealing. I can improve on this tool by using it on different images and exploring different effects.
Gradients	X		I have only used gradients once whilst using Photoshop. I used it when doing a tutorial. I learnt how to make a gradient have lots of different colours and also how to randomise these colours. I think I have used this tool well but could have used it a lot more and can improve by using the gradients in different ways such as for text colour or for a background.
Load selection features		X
Feathering		X
Colour curves adjustment		X
Resolution setting control		X
Magnetic lasso, polygon lasso tool	X		I used the magnetic lasso tool when experimenting with Photoshop. I used this tool to cut out my images so I could put them onto a different background. I also did this for one of my flat plans. I think I used this tool effectively as I have managed to cut out things in an effective way. I don’t think there is much room for improvement while using these tools.
Cropping tool	X		I haven’t used the cropping tool much while using Photoshop. I have only used it after taking screen shots of the steps I have doing during tutorials. I used the cropping tool so it got rid of everything I wanted. I can improve with this tool by cropping other images.
Clone tool	X		I only started using the clone tool when doing my unit 3. I used it when editing the red part of my models face. I needed to spread the make up more so I used the clone tool so that it would look like the rest and match it. I think I have this tool effectively as I got the effect I wanted the part I cloned did match the rest. I can improve the way I use this tool by using it more and edit different images. For example I could remove a sign from a building.
Retouch tool		X

Unit 3

Front Cover

Double Page Spread

Unit 3 - Making of Front Cover

I had an image which is in the red circle, and I wanted to place in my font cover, but I wasn't sure where to put it since it needed to be accompanied by text.

I thought my image fitted will in the corner, and I put it on a slant on it as this will appeal to my target audience, as it makes my font cover look less structured. However the bottom middle part of the magazine looked bare.

I used text to cover this bareness but I felt the text was getting lost in the background and it didn't stand out enough.

I then put a bar on the the bottom. I made the text white and this stood out like I wanted. It also made the image light bulb look better. I also made the bar green which matches my colour theme and made it the same transparency of my mast head so it mirrored it.

This is what my magazine looked like afterwards.

I felt this made the whole magazine look more effective and powerful and it also filled up some space and made the magazine look less bare, which is what I wanted.

Weekly Production Monitoring Blog 4th April

Progress:

Last week I created my magazine cover and my double page spread. Most things went to plan. I had trouble making smoke for an image for my double page spread, I did various tutorials but none of them turned out right. I overcame this buy using on of my tutorials that didn't work very well, and downloading smoke brushes and putting them over the top of it.

Another thing that didn't go to plan is when I realised the text was different in my text boxes. It was bold and it shouldn't have been since the bold option was off. I concluded that this was a glitch in the software so I restored the text box to default settings and this fixed the problem.

This week in InDesign I have learnt how to use gradients. I've also adapted my use of placing in images and text, use of colours, use of layer, and use of text tools such as drop caps.

In Photoshop I have learnt how to use layers to change colours of certain things. I have also learnt how to use the quick selection tool. I also have adapted my skills of using layers, text, shapes, cropping, burn tool, cloning tool and brushes. 

An example of how I have used the levels to change colours, is how I have used it for a background.

This is the original image.

This is the image after I edited it.

I used the levels first to make the whole image brighter. I then used the quick selection tool to select the background and then changed the levels so the background would go red. Other things which I have done to this image is use the cloning tool to spread a clean part on the shoes, to cover the whole shoe. I also used the burning tool to make the outside of the shoe darker so it looks more realistic.

Weekly Production Monitoring Blog 28th March

Progress:

Last week on Monday I ensured that I had all my props and that I had models, all for my photo shoot on Wednesday. I made sure I had back up models in case my other models became unavailable and ensured that my models were briefed on what they would need. Things went to plan for this task, however I did have to go to a few shops before I could find one of the items I needed for the photo shoot. This was red food colouring and I needed it as part of the make up. A contingency that I had in place was to put all my props in a box to ensure they were together and none of them get lost.

On Tuesday I made a layout plan of my front cover and made sure that I has both my double page spread flat plan, and my font cover flat plan so I knew what photos I needed on Wednesday. I needed to make sure that taking these types of photos were possible and needed to check that I have the right props for what I need.

Wednesday was my photo shoot. I made sure I took more than enough photos so I had a selection to choose from. I also made sure that I took photos at different angles and with different zooms so I could choose the photo that has the best effect. Most things went to plan. Looking back at the photos however, the make up on my models face wasn't covering everywhere I wanted it to, and therefore I would have it edit some of the make up so I could use it as my main image on my magazine cover. Contingencies I had in place was to make sure I had my images on my memory stick and college computer so that they wouldn't get lost. I also had to make sure I had enough time and that there was preparation done before the photo shoot so that I didn't waste time.

Thursday and Friday I was choosing what photos I wanted to use, planning where they were going and editing them. I needed to know what effect I wanted to achieve, and what I had to do to achieve it. I also experimented with different tools to find out if they are better to do. Everything ran smoothly, since I just started editing I made sure I was always saving my work. A contingency I had in place was to make sure my work was always backed up and not only on my memory stick, just in case any files got deleted or I lost my memory stick.

Throughout last week I have learnt how to use lighting equipment. I have learnt how to turn the lighting up and down and how to turn lights off. I have also developed my skills on photo shop and learnt how to use the spot healing tool and the patch tool.

Some of the pictures that I am going to use are:

Magazine cover - Main image.

 Double page spread.

Half a long image for my double page spread.

Targets:


This week I will just be making my front cover and double page spread. I will have to use both Photoshop and InDesign. I will have to develop my skill of using some different tools on Photoshop such as the use of layers. On InDesign I will have to learn how to use layers and develop my skills of placing images.

Contingencies:

Some problems that might occur are that memory sticks could get lost. Memory sticks could also become corrupt. A contingency that will be in place is for all my work to be backed up. Another thing that could go wrong is that computers can crash after spending a long time doing some work. To avoiding losing work, I will save my work at regular times. Also fonts can not be installed on C drives. To fix this I can save all my fonts on my memory stick or on my college computer and therefore I wont need to keep downloading the font, I will just need to install it.

Weekly Production Monitoring Blog 21st March

Progress:

Last week I completed my article planning sheet. This included making final decisions such as whether to have it formal or informal and making sure it suited my plan. I also completed a flat plan of my double page spread. By completing both these things last week I could ensure that they matched each other in a suitable way. I also booked my photo shoot and ensured I have models available and props.

Everything went to plan except one of my models had a lesson when I had my photo shoot. To ensure that she could get out of her class I had to speak to her teacher and make sure that she had the work that she would have missed. I also included a layout of my double page spread on Indesign.

I encountered a problem when I didn’t have Indesign on my computer at home. To fix this problem I did a flat plan on paper. This turned out to be more effective because I could draw my images better than I would have been able to on a computer.

This is the layout of my double page spread. There will be images on the left and top right of the page and my title will be sideways next to my image.

Targets:

On Monday and Tuesday I have to make the layout for my front cover. My photo shoot is on Wednesday, this means I have to ensure I have all my props and my models know what time to come and what to wear. Then after my photo shoot I have to edit my photos.

I will have to make sure that I know exactly what I am doing and ensure that I have taken the correct shots of my models. I have to prepare my props that include make up and need to brief my models on what is happening.

I will have to learn skills such as how to use the heal tool on photo shop. I might also have to make sure I have some brushes downloaded for Photoshop in case I need to make some changes.

Contingencies:

Some contingencies that I could encounter are:

Models might not turn up. To fix this I need to ensure they know the date and time and that I have back up models.

Shoots booked but cameras not available or booked to fix this I need to make sure cameras are available.

Props disappearing. To make sure my props don’t disappear I need to make sure I put my props somewhere safe.

Not enough time scheduled for difficult or complex shoots. To fix this I need to make sure I have booked enough time with the photo shoots.

Photographs coming back out of focus after a difficult photo shoot has just been executed. To make sure this doesn’t happen I will need to take lots of photos and make sure I check them after I’ve taken them.



Weekly Production Monitoring Blog 14th March

Progress:

Last week I successfully completed most of my pre-production. This included completing my mood board, article planning, schedule table and treatment. Completing my treatment helped me a lot as it pulled all my ideas together and combined them into a final idea.

A problem I encounter was when the electricity went off last week. A contingency I has in place was to save my work therefore I did not lose much work at all.

I have learnt how to use a programme called Picasa by google to create my mood board and combine photos together.

Finished mood board

 

Targets:

During this week I need to complete my article planning and book my photo shoot. I also need to complete my flat plan for my double page spread. I need to get models to be included in my photo shoot and make sure I have props available.

A specific technical skill which I will have to learn is the use of lighting for my models so I know how to correctly have them lit-up.

Contingencies:

Possible problems that might occur is that the electric could go off or my computer could crash, this means I will have to save my work regularly to ensure that losing work is kept at a minimum. Also I could lose my memory stick. To fix this I could ensure that my work is saved at multiple places so if I lose my memory stick I will still have work.

Weekly Production Monitoring Blog 7th March

Progress:

Last week I was thinking of what kind of front cover I could have, and coming up with possible ideas. I created a flat plan on Photoshop and I also made a hand drawn flat plan of a different idea.

For the Photoshop an additional flat plan, it was very hard to get images and I had to settle on the limited images I could find. This meant that it wasn’t an accurate representation of my idea. I was also meant to finish some more planning work but because my time was restricted last week I will have to make more free time this week in order to not fall behind.

Using Photoshop I have increased my skills but using the cut out tool. I learnt how to select different parts of the image quickly and with ease. I also learnt how to use the healing and the cloning tool. This proved very helpful when I was spreading the image of smoke on my front cover. I also learnt the transparency settings, to make the smoke look transparent.

This was the Photoshop flat plan. It is of a man in an artichoke costume being smothered in smoke off exhausts. This is symbolic for what is happening to the world and is also exaggerated. I was thinking of having the main sell line in a speech bubble and this would make the audience think more. The image in the background was meant to be a man in a plant costume but because there was none of these available that I could find, it had to settle for a man in an artichoke costume. The facial expression was also wrong as well, he is meant to be looking distressed. The layout of the magazine is also a possible idea that could change.

I also created a hand drawn final flat plan is of a woman. Using the comparative juxtaposition technique, I was going to have one half of her face before global warming and one half of her face after global warming. The before part of her face will be in makeup and will be edited to look bright and vibrant. Her hair will also look nice and her eye will be bright to show positive emotions. The right side of her face will be all sunburnt. Her lips will be edited to be chapped and her face will be edited to be dull. Her eye will also be dull to show lack of emotion. Her hair will be messy and she won’t be wearing any make-up.

This is more likely to appeal to a female audience as the model is a woman. Women also tend to read and buy magazine more frequently than men.

Targets:

This week I am aiming to get my planning finished by Friday. Finishing by Friday will give me time on the week end to work on my actual production. That mean I need to complete my treatment, come up with a final idea. Plan what my title will be and who my model is and what props I am going to use. I need to create a final idea flat plan and also a double page spread with rational. Finally I need to complete my treatment work. For the treatment I am aiming to get this finished by Wednesday.

To achieve this I will have to ask look for models and ask them if they will be able to participate. I also need to make a list of props I will need and ensure I have them. I need to check my idea will work and ensure I can do the make up for the model.

Technical skills I will have to learn will involve using Photoshop and learning photo skills through tutorials.

Contingencies:

Models might not turn up or they might turn up without a costume or with a wrong costume. To ensure this doesn’t happen I will make sure that the models know exactly what they should wear. Props could disappear by being misplaced or being lost. To fix this I will have to make sure that I always keep my props in a safe place, maybe in a box in the corner of the classroom.

There might not be enough time scheduled for difficult or complex shoots. Time problems could also be the case for setting up photo shoots leaving just a short amount of time for photos to be taken. This means I will have to plan what I need to do and estimate the time I would need to do this so that I can book the study for a long enough time. Photographs could be taken incorrectly and might come back with out of focus. This means I will have to take multiple and check the photos during the shoot.

My memory stick could be lost and misplaced and this could result in some work being lost and needing to be completed again. This could also be the case with computers crashing. To fix these problems I will have to ensure that I save my work whilst doing it, and that I back my work up.