Evaluation: Question 6 (Pt. One)

What have you learnt about technology in the process of constructing this product?

Video camera – I had never used a video camera properly prior to this project, so that meant that I learnt a lot about video cameras throughout this process. I learnt how to keep a steady hand when filming (and also how to use a tripod to enhance steady filming), how to control lighting when filming, and how to transport film from the tape in the camera to computers/macs. In fact, prior to this experience I wasn’t even aware that there were tapes in some video cameras.

Pros of video cameras: 

Quick and easy way of creating your own media visions, even if you haven’t had much experience with them before  

With a tripod it is possible to film in a very professional way, meaning that it is possible to create something very similar in standard  to what is shown on the television and at the cinema

Cons of video cameras:  

It is very hard to continuously control the lighting when filming  

As the video camera is handheld, it is very hard to keep a steady shot without the help of a tripod 

The low quality of the camera (not suggesting that all handheld cameras are low quality, but in this case, ours was)

Blogger - I had never used Blogger before this experience, but I found it very simple to use and quickly figured out how to upload videos and images, create posts, change fonts and colours, order my posts, etc. 

Pros of Blogger:  

Very simple to use, easy to work all the tools  

Allows you to create a personal area for your own thoughts/visions/work/etc

Cons of Blogger:  

Hard to place videos and images in the place you want them

Youtube - I use Youtube frequently in my everyday life, for other subjects and for personal use, so I found it easy to use this item of technology in my project, and didn't really have to learn anything about it. I adjusted quickly to uploading links from Youtube to my blog. 

Pros of Youtube: 

Quick and easy way of finding videos for inspiration, information and for blogs  

Wide range of videos  

Easy-to-use filtering system when searching for videos

Cons of Youtube: 

No notable, huge cons, apart from the fact that some videos take a while to load before you can watch them

Tripod – I found the tripod very easy to use, and didn’t need to learn an awful lot about it before using it. However, I did have to get used to the controls of the tripod (such as the tilt control and the rotational device) to get the best results possible.

Pros of the tripod: 

Fairly easy way to capture high quality, steady film

Cons of the tripod:

No huge cons, but the user must get used to the controls before using it