New Technology

What new software and hardware have you employed to date?

During the half term, I was lucky enough to be able to borrow a MacBook which gave me access to software such as Pages. Pages was a required programme needed to produce my magazine cover. Another form of software that I own at home, is Photoshop. I usually use this software for my Photography coursework but this media task was obviously a suitable opportunity to use Photoshop. I edited some images from my shoot to use for the front cover so that the overall presentation appeared professional and to perfection. Although I didn't learn much from Photoshop because I've known alot of the processes for a while, I definitely developed skills and techniques with Pages as the software was all relatively new to me, although I had practiced on it a couple of times before, I hadn't gone to the extent of creating a magazine cover. I learnt alot along the way of the process, identifying many new fonts and photo affects.

What developments and changes has this enabled?

Pages definitely introduced me to a new, wide variety of different techniques, settings and options for my magazine cover. These enabled me in creating a unique, professional looking cover that couldn't have been produced in the same way through any other software, which makes it unique. The developments and changes that Pages produced was the masthead font and the faded border of the images. Photoshop changed the images into making them look sharper, brighter and more contrasted. I also created a depth of field affect to highlight the focal point of the images.

What kind of difference has it made?

These pieces of software have definitely enabled me to produce professional looking documents, resulting to being proud of my own work. Without the software, my magazine cover would be pretty average with no unique affects or fonts, which is what Pages gave me access to. Without Photoshop, my images used wouldn't look as affective and appealing as they do now. As a photography student, I am used to the process of editing images to make them look even better and eye-catching. So the difference that these software programmes have made towards my project, is that I have been able to create professional work to my satisfaction. I am a big fan of new media so when iMacs were released, I was eager to try them out. Therefore, Pages was a big inspiration for me. This is also because I took a weeks work experience at a magazine company where everybody used Pages to produce their work, so the programme has always intrigued me. I also wish to perceive a magazine career in the future, so developing knowledge on Pages will definitely help me in that department.