Preliminary Task #2 Questions

Questions on the production of Preliminary Task #2 provided by my media studies teacher are given as follows:

1. Rate on a scale of 1-10 how did your group work as a team. Support your rating. What could have made it a 10? Since I worked individually, I cannot reflect on working as part of a team. Being on my own to get my work done allowed me to focus and be creative with my own imagination. However, I did have to work with my subject to take the photos. This was an excellent experience, since I was able to connect with my subject and take photos when they were comfortable to.
2. Explain how you organized and prepared for the project. What went well and what could have been improved? To plan for the second preliminary task, I asked my old friend if I could take photos of her for my media studies class. She agreed, and we set a date to take the photos. I chose specifically to take the photos in later afternoon while the sun was still out yet not too harsh as to create too high exposure. Using natural light, planning this time was critical. It worked out well because the
3. What difficulties did you encounter? How did you overcome them? Difficulties were faced during the shoot if the setting was not right. The aperture was not set right, or the light setting (bright light, indoor, etc.). However this was simple to overcome by simply changing the setting. I have read most of the manual for my camera, a Nikon D300. Therefore, I am aware of the many functions of my camera. This required a lot of time and practice, which I have acquired before beginning this class.
4. What difficulties did you face when editing? Editing required time and patience. I had to go through all the photos taken on my computer and decide which could be the cover. Then a bit of editing was required, including removing small skin flaws, lighting, colour. By editing, the feel of the photo was made. Being inspired by TIME magazine, I changed the photo to black and white, for a more classic and serious look.
5. If you were to repeat the project again, what would you do differently? If I were to repeat this same project, I would bring in another subject to allow the cover picture to be more intriguing. Since my topic featured a page with ‘teens on social pressure,’ having two or more teens in the photo would improve the project.
6. Analyzing the final production, what aspects are you happy with? What could have been improved? Overall, I am happy with the photo quality and organization of elements on the cover of magazines. It was mostly what I had imagined and was a great production for the time constriction and lack of advanced photo editors I have access to. The cover could have been improved by having a photo that is meant to be more portrait than landscape, to create a professional look.