During the process of making my magazine, I have used several types of technology whether that be hands on, or computer based technologies. Some technologies I have used have been completely new experiences and others are technologies I have good knowledge of how to use efficiently.
Canon DSLR camera:
The DSLR camera was one of the key pieces of equipment in producing accurate and crisp photos of models and props used throughout the cover, content and double page spread pages. A camera is a use of technology I am useful with, however a few good features such as auto focus and flash helped with generating the professional looking photos of my models.
Apple MAC's:
Using a Mac was a completely new experience to me and I found them tough to use at first because their files and programs are stored in different ways to other softwares such as Microsoft which most users are comfortable using. Therefore, in the beginning, out teacher helped develop my skills using tutorials which slowly made me more efficient in using a Mac. After seeing what great power and potential is within the Mac, I could then develop my skills in programs such as Photoshop and Indesign where designing and building my magazines were based. Without the technology of a Mac, I couldn't use Photoshop as half as well therefore meaning my magazine would have suffered.
Computer based technologies and softwares:
- Adobe Photoshop
My skills have considerably improved using Photoshop as many tools I used to create my magazine, didn't exist to me in the beginning but steady improvement allowed me to use the software and the variety of tools it contained. I will show a little tutorial of how I used some tools in Photoshop:
- Adobe Indesign
This software was another new experiencing in using and tutorials were needed to get me up to scratch in learning how to use the tools included. The technology was helpful in portraying text and images in a easy and professional manner such as contents pages and posters but wasn't as helpful in terms of a creative side used for covers as manipulating and editing tools weren't as advanced as they were on Photoshop, and if they were, they are much more difficult to use.
- Blogger
Blogger was a key website because this allowed me to portray my research of magazines and express my designs for my own magazines to the public. Blogger was not a complicated website to use, however, I did learn how to add HTML's and links to blogger and changing the settings to allow the link to turn into videos and hyperlinks. This skill was necessary especially in my evaluations so I could add Flickr and Prezi documents. To help show how I used blogger, I am going to show you a little tutorial of how I created a new post:
- Flickr
I used the website Flickr in another evaluation question as a means of using it as a publication document where the public can see my cover, contents and double page spread pages and comment on them. This website deals with professional high quality images and photos that other social media websites such as Facebook couldn't handle.
- Prezi
Prezi is another publication software which produces creative presentations in which I used to express another evaluation question. I had never used Prezi before but my skills improved quickly as it is a simple software to use. I have learned that instead of simple powerpoints created on Microsoft software, there are other means which can produce better results in portraying information in more of a creative way.
- ishowu
Ishowu is a screen recording software created just for Macs. It allows the user to record whatever the user has on the screen which is especially useful for creating tutorials and producing evidence in research. Instead of using camera's, technology has advanced greatly to allow screens to record themselves with no expensive equipment needed.
