Evaluation: Question 7Looking back at your preliminary task what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Preliminary Final Production

Preliminary Final Production

ProgressionThe improvements that I made to my magazine from the preliminary to the final product were substantial. I wanted to completely change the positioning and quality of my image on the front page. In addition to this, on my preliminary magazine cover the image was landscape, further highlighting my inexperience and naivety with producing a product such as this; I changed my production to portrait as it should have been initially. I had no barcode, sell line, cover line or other valid information on my preliminary; although still maintaining that bare almost naked, simplistic front cover, I have included the necessary information needed to fulfill the aim of creating a realistic magazine front cover, contents page and double page spread. As you can see with my two

final productions my style of work has matured from the first preliminaries. I have varied the use of fonts to create a more sophisticated approach, rather than using fonts that are quite unprofessional and childish. I have also changed the contrast in all of my images so that the faces are unusually bright and unique to conform to my magazines theme. I dabbled in drop shadows but decided to take them out of the masthead, and can be seen from the preliminary front cover which has a very basic poor drop shadow effect.

Learning Throughout the process of making my final production I feel that I have become adept at using Photoshop. I was able to create a mirrored effect on my front cover which conforms to my indie theme. When looking at my preliminary, I am very please with the results; despite it being landscape. However, the image isn’t great quality and is very uninteresting to look at whereas this front cover is very intriguing and fun to look at. In addition, the model is wearing makeup and is dressed stylishly, a look suggesting she belongs on the front of a magazine, which is in stark contrast to the image in my preliminary.

I was able to understand the importance of mastheads through the poor care taken to make my preliminary task. I understand that one of the most important features to have on your front

cover is an eye catching masthead. This knowledge allowed me to try out different masthead ideas and ask my focus group

which they liked best.

I was able to take on board all of the things that I had learnt during the making of my Preliminary Task, Front

Cover and Contents Page and allow that new information to help and guide me in the making of my Double Page

Spread.

Through trial and error, I learnt quickly that the positioning of the camera and lighting equipment was vital in the photography of my product. When just relying on the overhead lighting of the common room, my preliminary task did not radiate or differ in contrast. I learnt that although I may have a lovely image, it could be further enhanced by altering the brightness and contrast to create a better and crisper image. These tips have definitely enhanced my skills using Photoshop and cameras, however I also gained the help from tutorials and websites.

BEFORE

AFTER

In conclusion I feel that my production has improved dramatically from my preliminary task. This has been due to the fact that I have gained a lot more knowledge of using Photoshop, I have taken highly professional images, using various lighting effects and have understanding of how to alter the focus and be able to work the cameras. I am able to change the contrast on images now and I have more knowledge on eye catching designs for magazines and what is regarded as commonly used and what isn’t. If I had not learnt about any of this, then my product would have been at the same standard as my preliminary was and not at the fine, crisp standard that it is at now.