Evaluation question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

Before the task began I found it hard to capture a good photograph. I could not manipulate the camera correctly to get my desired pictures, however due to practice I began to learn. I learnt how to focus the camera correctly and take a picture. I found it easy to establish lists of the things I must do to accomplish my desired outcome. I did however struggle with time keeping whilst producing my product but I was able to strengthen my time keeping skills through the practice whilst I produced my product. Another thing I struggled with in my primary task is to make the correct decisions. This was shown in the poor quality of my first photo-shoot, however through the progression of time and practice I was able to make the correct decisions to enable my product to be better.

I have also learnt to be more assertive over the course of preliminary  task. I found it difficult to begin with to get models and other peers to help me and do as I had asked however through experiencing difficulties due to my passive behavior I found I needed to change. I can now direct people in a polite, direct and assertive manner which allows things to be done as I want them to be done.

I use In Design which I have never used before and I struggled at first to manipulate the programme correctly however after exploring the programme I began to find it easier to use. My lessons in class provided me with the basic skills that I lacked on this programme and then on my own I researched on the internet tools that I required and played around on the course to create the effect I desired.

I did not understand the importance of lighting before I started this project however due to the lessons I received from my teacher and then pictures I took with minimal lighting I found its importance.

I had used Photoshop before however I knew little of how to use it to improve a photograph. I was taught about the stamp tool to change small imperfections and I used this widely to improve anything that I did not like in both my images. I also learnt of the lasso and magic wand tools to select pieces of the photograph, when I was taught of these I did not believe that I would be able to use them within my work however I eventually found them very useful.

As a whole the preliminary task was a great success in preparing me for my final task. Without it my final products would be far weaker than they are.