4. Technical Abilities.
During the preliminary task I struggled at first with my lack of
technical abilities, as I had little experience in using software that
was crucial to the task – e.g. Photoshop CS3. I was able to use
basic skills on iPhoto after some practice, but other than that I was
unable to edit my photos effectively, especially as I found the number
of editing options confusing and daunting on Photoshop, but in
hindsight I understand my photos could have appeared much more
professional if I had at least experimented with this editing software.
When using Photoshop to produce and apply the desired
composition, I was again only able to use basic tools and skills on
the software but during the limited time available to do this small
task, these basic skills were enough to make a decent magazine
front cover and contents page.
5. Research.
With the time available to complete the preliminary task, we had little
time to fully prepare or do much (if any) research into the forms and
conventions of other sixth form magazines. If I had done this
research I may have been able to produce a more professional
looking magazine.
6. Photos.
For this task I only had one photo-shoot, which was within the
school. Although this setting was perfect for the purpose of a sixth
form magazine, the photo’s available were fairly limited because of
various restrictions. Also, when creating my magazine I the photo’s
are all similar because of the one setting and one photo-shoot, I
knew then that I had to do more separate photo-shoots in my main
task.
I also lacked confidence with my photography abilities, as I again
wasn’t sure on the kind of photos I wanted to take, this was also
because I didn’t give my photo-shoot much thought before hand.
This also left my models confused as they weren’t sure what was
required of them.
8. Technical Abilities.
During the main task, not only was I able to learn from previous
mistakes that I’d made during the preliminary task, but I also had
more time to experiment with the endless tools available in both
iPhoto and Photoshop. This allowed me to create a more
professional looking magazine as the final editing I chose and the
final composition of the magazine had been carefully thought about
and compared with other options available – to help me make these
final decisions, I created various surveys and questionnaires for my
target audience. So, therefore, I am now confident that this
magazine is a significant improvement to the preliminary task, as I
feel it would be reflected by my improved technical abilities.
9. Research.
As I was given a much bigger time span to complete my main task, I
was able to use the time given effectively to complete a considerable
amount of research into other music magazines. This allowed me to
consider the forms and conventions of music magazines – and which
of these I would later conform to or challenge, the prices of other
magazines, the genres available – and which genre I would later
choose for my own magazine, and how I could make my magazine
appealing to my target audience. I feel this research has helped me
significantly in the production process, as by then I had a very clear
vision of how I wanted my magazine to be, and because of this
supporting research I was fairly confident that this vision was
appropriate and would be successful.
10. Photos.
After learning from my mistakes in the preliminary task, for my main
task I did 3 photo-shoots of my cover star, 1 for my competition to
New York, 1 of a guitar on its own, and I also took photos from music
festivals that I have attended. This allowed me to used pretty much
all of my own images throughout my magazine, taking only a few
from internet sources. I am extremely happy with the collection and
variation of photos that were available to use for my magazine, as it
gave me more freedom in the production process. I also planned
each of my photo shoots so my models were clearer, and this is
conveyed in my photos.
