Using Adobe Priemiere

Today we used different camera angels to add more affect to our videos. For example, we used a panning shot, a tilt shot and a moving painting shot. We also got introduced to jib shot but did not get the chance to try it ourselves.  
By using Adobe Priemiere, i can edit the videos i took as you can see in the picture below. The left hand picture being the original video, and the right hand being the edited version. I also learned a few tools i can use using this software. For example i can change where the video starts and ends by trimming it, and i can use a tool to make it more accurate as it shows the video frame by frame/every second. This will come in handy when making my advert with my group as the videos we take may need to be cut down as our advert as to be only 30 seconds long. However, there is still a lot i need to learn about using this software as we didn't have the time to go into full detail about the various tools we can use to our advantage.

Photography- settings and dials

Today I learned the basics of the camera layout and settings. I did a sketch of the front, rear and top elevation.

I learned each setting on the Mode Dial. P standing for Program, A standing for Aperture and S standing for speed. Along with some other settings e.g. Landscape and video. I also learned the functions of the buttons on the camera and how the lens protector helped. The lens protector stopped the camera from picking up the suns glare which caused sun/light flare as well as stopping substances like dirt and rain from damaging the screen. 

I got to direct a team to take replica photos from the ones in the New College Nottingham book. I learned how the light makes a huge  difference. After learning about the modes on the mode dial, I can use them to my advantage for example, using the speed of the shutter to create a spooky effect. I also learned different angel types such as tilt, panning and jib shot. These will prove to be useful when i want my adverts/short movies to be effective. 

Testing out Photoshop continued

 On Photoshop, I started with a simple image taken from Google and then coloured the background using a Fill tool. Next, I used the Marquee tool to crop a selection from the picture out. This would be useful if I needed to cut out a square area in a picture or a corner of the page. Though as useful as it is, it won't be useful if i need to cut out something more accurately. This can also be down with a circular tool. 

Next, I tried the Lasso tool. This allowed me to select a specific area of the image and crop it out, this also works for cropping the area around it. This will be proven useful later when i only need a certain part of a picture, e.g the bird in this case or just the background.  

Though there are still may tools in Photoshop that i should experiment with in further depth if i wish to achieve the best quality when producing anything within Photoshop.

Creating posters in photoshop

In Photoshop, i used gradient tools to create a banner and the background. I also used a Direct Selection tool to create certain shapes for the banner. With the text tool, i made a simple title for the banner then got an image to match. I cropped the image using the pen tool to select a certain part of the image. I then took the colour from the background by using the eye dropper tool and used an air brush to create the cat eye pupils to help it fit in with the rest of the poster an add to the uniqueness of the cat. To make the edges around the cat smoother, i used a rubber tool and quickly erased the uneven sections. I used a set colour scheme to make it look more eye catching and not an eye swore. By using the Direct Selection tool, i grabbed the corner of the darker blue/green square and pulled it in to give it a more rounded off effect, (top corners of the banner) this makes the banner have a unique style. 

Ghostly images in photoshop

In Photoshop, i created three creepy looking images. Using the blur tool i managed to get a ghostly looking effect for the guy in the background. I then used an air brush behind him to create a darker, ominous background to add to the ghostly affect. I used the pen tool to select around the male to get rid of the background.  I feel comfortable using the air brush tool and believe it can be handy when creating more spooky images.

  

 For this image, i used the pen tool to crop out the girl. Then i duplicated the layer. With this duplicated layer, i used the blur tool to create a ghostly effect. I kept the original layer underneath to make the edges more sharp so you're able to see the details on the girl.  I feel comfortable using the blur tool now and reckon it can be proven useful when making more ghostly images.

For my final image, i used the blur tool, the pen tool and the airbrush tool. I found it difficult trying to work out where to place my freaky character, but then i decided making the creepy part of the picture almost hidden, adds to the spooky effect as people will find it hard to see whats freaky about it. I used to blur tool on the creature to make fade more into the background so it wasn't so bold as i didn't want it to stick out of the picture too much. I then used the air brush to make the top and bottom of the screen darker to make it seem more ominous.  

After looking back at my images, i decided that some text needed to be added. I chose one picture i thought the text would fit best by using the text tool. I looked through the different fonts and picked the one i thought would suit best but at the same time is eye catching. I duplicated this font layer and placed it behind the original, i then blurred this layer to create a misty effect.

I feel comfortable using Photoshop though i need to improve a lot. There is still some tools i feel would be useful, however im unsure how to use them. I need to develop my knowledge on the tools and how to use them to get the best results.  

Adverts- Music

Advert Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyFBWFkOdbU

This advert has a major key which makes it sound more upbeat and happy. The choice of the song is good as the lyrics fit well. 'I like it like that' could suggest that the store DFS will find the perfect sofa for you, the way you like it. It also includes the lyrics 'Come on' which could imply that you need to come down to the store and purchase their sofas. Though it has non diegetic sound, it still makes you feel like you're there and gives off a comforting feeling. The tempo is fast/medium which could show that its target audience is more youthful adults. Most likely from their 20s to 30s. 

Advert Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vTm381GCUc&index=2&list=PLzGAFw67TMlSSyi9IW9V9FLk--ZRTvCQN

This advert has a minor key backing track with non diegetic sound. The beat is catchy and easy to remember as well as upbeat which gives you a positive look on the car itself. The lyrics 'Cant stop if you wanted' connotes that you'll be driving the car even if you didn't want to because it is just that good of a car. The tempo is slow/medium and quite relaxed which can imply that the car journey is relaxing and buying it is no hassle.

Advert Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6x6wi2hYto

The advert has non diegetic sound yet has a minor key backing track. The tempo is quite slow and relaxing, most likely to appeal to the older generation as that is the target audience the make up is aimed at. The music also leans to the stereotypical feminine side, which also suggests its target audience, appealing to them more.