This is my attempt of creating a CD front cover for the band called 'Nature's Heroes' advertising their new single called 'Old Skool'. I opened a new photoshop page setting the dimensions to 120 by 120, ensuring the resolution was 300dpi and the colour mode at 16bt (RGB colour).
I saved brushes from the website, www.brusheezy.com, then saved them to a folder in my documents. I used the opacity setter to create a faded background, using black and blue to ensure the black tree on the foreground stands out. I added the stroke effect to my fonts to make them appear bold and also set them to italics for a bit of variation.

Shutter Speed and Improvements

Shutter Speed Improvements

When comparing these images with my previous attempts of working with shutter speed, we are able to see that the images are in focus and also have created a better freeze frame. I had my shutter speed settings high to create the freeze frame effect.

The shutter is what lets the light into the camera by opening and shutting the shutter very quickly.

A fast shutter speed would be used to freeze frame something that is very quick, for example and athlete. Slow shutter speeds are used in a dark environment or to create a motion blur. They are used in dark environments because it means more light is allowed in to brighten the image.

For this image I used a fast shutter speed to avoid motion blur and to freeze frame his movement. This image is out of focus therefore to improve the image I need to ensure I take the time to use the focus ring to focus the camera. Another way to avoid my image being out of focus I could put the camera in auto focus mode.

I also used a fast shutter speed for taking this image to freeze frame the subject walking. The image is slightly out of focus therefore to improve this I again, need to either ensure it is in focus using the focus ring or put the camera in auto focus.

In this image we experimented with having a slow shutter speed. We went into a dark room and using a torch drew shapes in the air. I had the camera shutter speed set at 5 therefore it allowed plenty of time for the light to go into the camera. The effect shown on this image was given. I feel this image was very successful as it shows the movement of the light.

On this image I wanted to use a slow shutter speed to experiment with motion blur, which appeared successful, however the background appears to be out of focus which is likely to be due to hand movement which can be resolved by using a tripod to steady the camera.

Next time I take pictures to experiment shutter speed I will ensure that the camera is in focus and also consider using a tripod to ensure that my images are in focus, where necessary.

Photoshop

 

This is the orignal image I chose to make the three adjustments on.

For the image above I used the auto tone, auto colour and auto contrast tool. These make simple adjustments however can make a big difference to the quality of the image.
Auto Colour, Contrast and Correct: To use these tools I simply go to image then click on whichever I choose to automatically adjust.

On this image I desaturated the image meaning I drained it of all colour, I then editied the brightness and contrast to make the lightin gof the image match that of the contrast.

Desaturating: To desaturate an image I go image - adjustments - desaturate. Or I can use the keyboard short cut which is: shift, control, U.

Brightness and Contrast: To edi tthe brightness and the contrast of an image I click image - adjustments - brightness and contrast, then I can use the scales to decide where I want the levels to be.

For this image I used the unsharpen mask to make the eyes as sharp as possible. I also used vingetting to darken the outside of the image. Doing this drags the attention to the centre of the photograph which is also the most important part of the image.

Unsharpen mask tool: To find this tool I click 'filter' along the top bar of photoshop, open the sharpen option which then gives me the option of 'unsharpen mask' I click this and set the radius to 2.0 pixels, 2.2 pixels if necessary.

Vingetting: To do this I choose the elliptical marquee and select the area of the face and around it. Next I go onto select and inverse which means that any editting I do will be on the outside of the circle I drew.Then click image - adjustments - brightness and contrast, then turn the brightness down but keeping it subtle. Pressing control and D then saves any editting. I can darken my image further by using the burn tool which allows me to darken other areas of the image. If I choose to lighten areas of the image I use the dodge tool.

Camera Techniques

 The technique used for this image is a down tilt. The use of this gives the indication that the subject has less power as they are being looked down on.

 For this image I experimented with different camera shots, I used long shot, slightly off centre and I used the pavement as lines into the distance. This adds interest into the image.

This image shows the subject looking down onto the viewer, this implies that the subject has power and dominates the viewer.

Magazine Cover Evaluation

Magazine Cover Evaluation

Photography

When taking the photographs for my background image for my magazine cover I used had the camera in manual focus. I learnt that using the focus rings on the camera I can ensure none of the photographs I take are out of focus. I now know to stand in the ‘T’ stance when taking photographs as it gives me more balance and allows more movement when taking the photographs. I am able to lean forward to get closer to what I am taking the image of, but it also allows me to bend down to lower myself to the height of the shot. As I wanted a head and shoulders image I knew to use the camera in portrait to ensure I do not end up with a lot of background which I would then later have to crop. When I first began to take my images I noticed they were not in focus, I improved this by using the focus ring on the front of the camera. I used three different techniques for lighting, back lighting, front lighting and side lighting. This gives different effects on the image by creating shadows. When using front lighting I had to be careful to make sure I didn’t cast a shadow on my model. When I first began taking the pictures I forgot to apply the rule of thirds, and had the eye line to low, but once I realised this I made sure that I applied it. I used a simple background of trees and greenery however this then caused problems when I was trying to choose a colour for my title font. My lack of people skills affected my imagery as I didn’t have the confidence to ask them to do particular facial expressions, however these feelings subsided meaning I managed to get the pictures the way I felt was appropriate.

Photoshop

On photoshop I used a range of tools such as text edit, colouring, blurring and adding/deleting layers. I found it difficult to get the hang of not being able to double click on the text to edit it as I have to click on the layer instead. I found it easy to apply effects such as ‘stroke’.  Once  I got used to how to edit my text I managed to control it very well and had no issues with positioning it, editing it and adding effects to it. The main effect I used was adding stroke to my text however I also blurred the background of my image to make sure my model appeared very dominant on the page. I did this by using the blur tool on the side bar of photoshop. As the main background of my image was green I had to try and find a colour which would be readable and stood out, due to this I chose a dark red to add definition to the page. I downloaded a font from dafont.com to use for my title, I made the decision of which font I was to use by making sure I kept my target audience in mind. I downloaded the font off the interent for free by saving it to the local disk on the computer, this meant it would appear in the text choices when I used photoshop, word etc. I used a font which was already supplied by the programme for my sell lines. I made this text white with a black outline to make sure it was defined on the front cover, this also means it is easy to read and stands out well on the green background.

Improvements I would make on my front cover would involve improving my photography skills further to ensure I am satisified with background image, I can do this by practicing my skills and developing them further with the assistance of my teacher and peers. I would also improve my front cover by being more prepared for the photographs. I would do this by planning my ideas for my background image in more detail such as, facial expressions, props and backgrounds for the image. I feel my main skills were on photoshop as I found it easy to pick up on. I was able to experiment with different techniques and effects on photoshop which meant my skills were developed further.

Photography Improvements

These two images show an improvement I made when taking my photographs. The first photograph shows the eye line being around the half mark, however this is not what I wanted. When I was taking photographs afterwards I ensured that the eye line was on the first third of the image.