Monitoring Production Blog

My project is now near completion, although each element of my project could be slightly improved. Unfortunately, I was unable to take another photo shoot with Malcom which is disappointing as I felt I could have taken improved photographs had I had another opportunity to do so. I have had to work with the photographs and having altered them slightly on photoshop, they have turned out okay and I have now inputted them onto my product. Such location shots meant I had to work with natural light and couldn’t use lighting systems to highlight my models face. The pictures looked a little flat so I highlighted my models face and created contrast whilst trying not to be too harsh or blatant. I also blurred out the irrelevant background which created further emphasis on my model. I've added my photographs to my contents page and have grouped the photographs together using a red box as the background.

I do feel that my photoshoot with Jonathan went well though. I got a large selection of photographs including different poses and from different angles i.e. close ups. When I carried out the studio photo shoot, the lighting was something that I needed to get right in my imagery. It assisted me in making my shots eye catching and attractive. Darkness would have created a negative and sensitive atmosphere, something which I wasn’t aiming to do as that would construct a downbeat impression. Therefore, my images are bright. I edited my photographs on Photoshop which enabled me to create a contrast between the background and the model; the focal point. The lighting for my second double page spread was difficult to get right as the photo shoot was taken outdoors. One member from my target audience said “The images complement the articles well and photography is very relevant.” I have completed and handed in my front cover and double page spread which took quite some time; longer than I had anticipated. This resulted in me having to use a contingency plan, which was if I were struggling for time, I would spent a lot of time out of lessons working on my product in order to ensure I hand it in on time. I encountered some problems, particularly when completing my front cover. Firstly, I mistakingly carried out my front cover on Indesign rather than Photoshop (see below). I also encountered difficulties finding the right font when using other computers. I re-did my front cover on Indesign and I feel it now looks more professional. However, this did take up a lot of time and it was a rush to meet the deadline.

I have been given the opportunity to improve my products, so over the next week, I will do so as certain elements could be changed / adjusted. Firstly, I will change my font so that it flows throughout my product. I will also include another sell line on my front cover so that less space is wasted. I plan on increasing the size of Jonathan Grounds in one of my double page spreads so that he stands out more, and I also wish to create cleaner cutting around Jonathan. I will change Jonathan's skin tone too so that it looks more natural. Finally, I will swap the pages around on the double page spread which includes the interview with Jonathan Grounds so that it looks different to my other double page spread. I was concerned that there were too many similarities between the two. f

Overall, I am reasonably pleased with my products, though I feel some are better then others. I feel I could earned more marks once I've made the slight adjustments which I mentioned. Thursday 16th February This week I have been trying to organise another date with Malcolm so that I can complete an improved photoshoot. I'm not satisfied with the photographs I took because the photo shoot to be taken outside therefore it was difficult to get the lighting right. I had to work with natural light and couldn’t use lighting systems to highlight my models face. The pictures look a little flat too. Organising another photo shoot with Malcolm is proving difficult however, due to Malcolm living far away and getting limited days off work. However, I will continue to try to organise a date that is ideal for both of us. I have, however, completed a photoshoot with Jonathan Grounds which I feel went well. I was able to get a wide range of photographs, including different angles and poses, and because it was in a studio, they were of good quality and I was able to get the lighting right. I have began both a double page spread and front cover. However, I have encountered a problem with my front cover. As I have done it on Indesign, I need to re-do this on photoshop because otherwise it won't look as professional as I'd like it to due to not being able to take advantages of what photoshop has to offer such as laters, resulting in my product looking flat. This has delayed me, and I now must and I now find myself having to rush, in order to ensure my product is completed on time. I have found sticking to my schedule difficult. This is largely because of the delay which I encountered when trying to organise interviews which I have previously mentioned and also because I didn't allow myself enough time to complete some aspects of my product. This has resulted in me having to use a contingency plan whereby I spend my free periods and lunch times working on my project in order to ensure it is handed in on time.