Production.

Since the photo shoot, I have begun to use Photoshop to edit the images I have chosen for my front cover and DPS.

For my front cover image, I have edited elements such as the Hue and Saturation, the Exposure and the Levels of the image. I have also used the Burn tool and the Healing tool, in order to darken shadows and heal parts of the image that I wasn’t happy with, for example the wrinkles on one of my models’ clothes.

This is my front cover image, completely unedited.

This is the front cover image after editing. Here, you can see that I have changed the original colouring of the photograph, darkening it and de-saturating the image so that it fit in with the relatively dark theme of the television show, Doctor Who, that my models are representing.

This is my first DPS image, again completely unedited.

This is the image after editing. Here, I have edited the Exposure, Hue and Saturation and the Brightness and contrast. I also used the Burn tool, to darken shadows, and the Healing tool. I used this to edit certain elements of the image, such as wrinkles on my model’s clothing and to try to blend different areas of colour on her face, which were due to the heat of the lighting. I will edit another image for my DPS, and then insert these images into my final product.

I have also made considerable edits to my front cover on Photoshop.  As well as adding more colour through the use of the paint bucket tool and changing the colour of my text, I have also inserted my colour image. I purposely chose the colours red and white, as they would match the colours in the image, and the black background as it would fit with the black backdrop of my image. I also added a button sell by using the circular marquee tool and filling it using the paint bucket tool. I have learned through this editing process how to change the font size, placement of elements of the image (such as text) and how to place images onto the Photoshop file, such as the bar code and the background image.

I have also made a number of changes to my DPS using InDesign software, including filling in the background colour with black and creating breakout boxes in the firm of circles, again using a circular marquee tool. I also used the place tool to insert the text on my article, and formatted this by changing the font and size of my text. I did the same with the header and kicker. I also filled in the text boxes that I had created with white, in order to make the text easily readable but to contrast dramatically with the dark background and red break out boxes. I will further edit the DPS by inserting my images once I have finished editing them, and I may further format the text by changing fonts, colouring or the layout of the text.

Photo Shoot.

On Thursday, I completed my photo shoot. In preparation for my photo shoot, I double-checked that my models would be present the night before. Unfortunately, one of my models dropped out. However, I had already created a contingency plan with this outcome on it, and so had a standby model who was available to fill in for the one that was absent.

On the day, the lighting technician, Phil, taught me how to change the colour of the backdrops, and how to set up the photography studio lights (I only used the soft boxes) to achieve the effect that I wanted in my photographs. I also learned how to use a camera that was connected to the studio lights. I did not use a tripod or change any aperture or shutter speed settings on this occasion, due to the fact that the photo shoot was in a studio and the lighting was not greatly changing throughout the shoot as it would if I were shooting on location outdoors in natural lighting.

This image shows some of the photographs that I took in a file after being uploaded to the computer. As can be seen in the image, I took many photographs of the same pose and experimented with some different poses in order to get one that I was very pleased with, and that I would be happy to use on my magazine cover and DPS.

At first, the photographs were underexposed, and so the models could not be seen clearly. Also, the contrast I had hoped to achieve was not successful.

It appeared then that there was a technical fault, and once this was fixed the photographs were overexposed.

After a few changes to the lighting, I was pleased with the results for my cover shoot.

I then began the photography for my double page spread, using the same lighting. I used the same lighting as I liked the shadows it created, helping to darken the image and fit with the darker, mysterious theme of my magazine.

After completing this photo shoot, I uploaded the photographs to an Apple Mac in order to begin editing later.

Beginning Production.

Last week, I begun the production of my magazine. Due to two weeks’ absence, I was behind my peers but had planned ahead so that I could make the best use of the time I had as possible.

Although I had not yet completed a photo shoot, I worked on the layouts and front cover of my product using InDesign and Photoshop.

In Photoshop, I have learned how to use the text control tool, as well as how to use different layers. My Photoshop skills will develop further when I have completed my photo shoot, and I have edited my images.

In InDesign, I have begun to develop the layout of my DPS. To do this, I have learned how to create columns and margins. As I have also begun to put my text onto the DPS, I have also learned how to insert text, and how to manipulate it such as resizing and changing font. 

This image shows my front cover on Photoshop, soon after beginning production. I have inserted the masthead and main sell line, and changed the background colour of the product to black. This is because I intended to have a black backdrop for my photo shoot. Here, I had used the text control tool to insert text. I had also resized the text, and changed the font and colour. I also used layers. This makes it easier to move text on the page, and also if I need to select certain areas of text or delete parts.

On these images, I have added more text. I edited the space between lines and, again, font size and colour. This enables variation on my magazine cover. When I have my photo shoot completed, I will be able to use more tools in order to edit my front cover further as I insert and format the images on the page, as well as editing the aesthetics of the photographs beforehand.

The above image shows my InDesign product, after beginning production. Here, I have used the software to create margins and columns. Before this, I measured the length and width of a style model's cover and double page spread so that my measurements would be accurate. I have also learned how to create text boxes, and to insert a text file in order to place my article into the DPS. I have also developed my skills in manipulating the text. This evident in the different sizes and fonts seen on the DPS.