Examples Of Given Work Through Photoshop

As stated before, the work I have provided through the use of photoshop has allowed me to learn new skills and techniques in which I can put forward into my coursework.

Following on from the post below where it was explained about the work of adding text to images in photoshop, these are some expamples of my work;

Example 1 is clearly shown on the left side here, this is a picture of Shantel Vansanten, a well known character from the Tv series of One Tree Hill. In order the get the picture to provide noticable text, I was advised to use the eraser tool to remove the background and replace with a plain colour, I chose the slighty greyscale colour due to the fact I wanted it to look sophisticated with the text standing out. Example 1 differes from the example below as I used the 'Text' tool in photoshop and just added my own text directly onto the picture, this has the disadvantage that there is nt a variety of different styled fonts, however this was only in order to practise the use of text in photoshop.

This is Example number 2, again clearly shown on the right hand side. For this picutre, I used the same style of using the eraser tool and creating a greyscale background. However, through the use of the website 'Dafont' I was able to create two very different looking styles of text and apply them to my image. I think this example is more successful as it allows a wider range of examples of fonts and texts to be used, it also allows you to have the advantage of moving and styling the text to however you want it, this will be particulary using when looking ahead and focusing on my coursework covers.

Overall the work I have proceeded to do on photoshop has given me the correct skills I need to carry out my coursework.   

Updates On The Work Of Photoshop

In recent media lessons we have been studying the avaliability open to us on a popular programme of photoshop. The reasons for doing so is in order to familiarise ourselves with the programme for furture refernces, such as designing, editing and producing our magazine cover and contents page for coursework.

In the most recent lessons we have used the skill of adding text types onto clear background photos, this can be achieved in photoshop itself, however for a wider variety of text fonts and styles we were asked to work with a popular online site called 'Dafont'.

In my recent images I have taken a celebrity and cleared the background to a greyscale colour, i have achieved this through the use of photoshop. I then succeded in creating two images, one using the text option provided in photoshop itself, and the other was through the use of the 'Dafont' website. These images will be shortly posted with a description of how I created the look and why I believe it to be successful and how these techniques will be used in my later coursework.

Defining A Media Text - Magazine

The magazine in which I have chosen to analyse is the well popularized, best selling issues of 'Elle'. This particular magazine has been selling successfully for many well known years, and it is its specific audience which it aims its contents at that helps this magazine grow worldwide.

Personally my overall analysis of 'Elle' magazine is that it presents itself with sophistication, popularity covering all aspects of items from fashion to celebrites to real life, inspiring stories.

Its use of serif font within the title helps suggest the sophistication, therefore we are already looking a fresh adult audience, perhaps in their early 20's.

The writing, such as 'puffs' subheadings and eye catching phrases tend to be kept to a minimum, thus allowing again for the front page picture to speak for itself. This picture always tends to be a woman showing class, yet keeping it simple.

The red within the background and on 'Madonna's' dress has denotations that the magazine is powerful, dominating to other women and aiming its audience at the young and sexy generation.

The line, "Win designer bags worth £8,000" also denotes the fact that this is slightly more upmarket and expensive magazine.

In conclusion, the whole representation, the font, the use of images and layout and wording denotes the fact that 'Elle' magazine is sophistaced, aiming for people who know what they want and can afford it, this magazine is successful worldwide and many of its audience appriciate its likability.

The Meanings Of Media Terminology

Throughout the use of our recent media lessons we have been given the ability to learn certain meanings of particular words or phrases which are specifically used within the media industry.

Whilst studying closely at certain magazines we were asked to make notes on what features are 'denoted' and what things can be 'conoted' from this.

Denotation gives the representation of what something actually is, this can also include people.

Conotation gives a suggested meaning about the person, group or even place. Some examples are shown below;

Denotation - The uniform this particular man is sporting denotes that he works as a police officer.

Conotation - The red nail varnish has connotations of power and is strongly suggesting passion and sexual ability although on the other hand it could imply danger or a warning. 

After successful use of the two terminologys shown above we as a class were able to move forward and study the use of text fonts within magazines. Through research it is shown that certain texts can be altered to suit different types of audience groups, to suit the modern day, to make a certain catch phrase stand out. When used in the media industry, text types are fundamentally important. Recently we have learnt about two specific types of text writing and how they differ from each other. These are; a sans serif font and a serif font.

Althought being named similar it is actually the french word 'sans' that has the differing factor between these two fonts. 'Sans' translated simply means 'without'. For more detail this means that a text with serif font will look much like the font of 'Times New Roman', it implies and suggests a more old fashioned look, perhaps more intelligent look whereas a Sans Serif font will look much like 'Comic Sans MS' it appeals to a more modern audience, perhaps less informal.

When studying media texts, particuarly magazines, it is important to look and analyse all the features studied here.

Media - Codes And Conventions

After analysing certain media texts, films, magazines and music I have come across certain terminology which is provided within the media course.

Recently, as a class, we were able to deconstruct two types of magazines, these were 'Company' and 'Reveal'. Having been provided with the definition of codes and conventions we were asked to identify these within the two magazines we had been given.

A code, in media terms, is something which has similar properties to another media item, such as when comparing the two magazines, the tagline had a small chunk of its letters being covered due to the foreground picture. This appeared in both magazines, along with the fact that they both appealed to a female audience, focusing on celebrity gossip and the latest fashion updates.

On the other hand, a convention, again in media terms, is known to be the difference between certain media texts. As shown in our two magazines that they differed in the coverage of women and men shown within each page spread.

Overall when studying certain media texts which we will be provided with it is important to focus on the codes and conventions of each piece and analyse how it competes with other successful texts and magazines.

TV Series - Pretty Little Liars

Within the past few months I have been viewing the well known Tv Series Pretty Little Liars. I first began watching it after seeing recent advertisement about the series, where it explained that a young high school girl, Alison, had been brutally murdered, and leaving her four best friends behind to reveal disturbing evidence, as they themselves get scrutinized by a mystery character.

I find the plot complex which is what attracted me to watching Pretty Little Liars in the first place, it varies completely from other teen dramas which is the basis as to why its viewing counts increase rapidly.

For anyone looking to watch a new Tv Series, I would definatly recommend Pretty Little Liars, each episode reveals something tragic and as the evidence to Alison's death builds up the suspense for the viewer increases. I will continue to watch these Series of drama because its complex plot line allows for the viewer to be hooked.

Throughout its airing, it has been well published through the use of adverts and radio stations.