In the IT suite we had access to PCs which we could use to log onto Adobe photoshop. Once logged on we were guided to a self-taught introductory tutorial. The steps were basic and quite simple to follow, and we learned to re-touch a series of photographs. The course tutor then helped us to acquire the skills to re-touch other digital photographs, and to use a form of ‘layering’ to edit different images and insert them all into one photograph or poster. I worked upon a poster for my imaginary artist’s collective, which is called The Storytellers. After downloading images of work by Bruegel, Hogarth, Dame Laura Knight and myself, I manipulated these images onto one poster, selecting typeface, background and layout to maximize effect. My major problem was that I need to repeat an action many times to become fluent in its usage – it is very similar to learning to speak a foreign language. Having achieved an effect in one lesson, by the following lesson I might have forgotten one of the sequence of perhaps ten steps to achieve the effect again. What I learned from this is a great appreciation of the sophistication of Adobe photoshop, and also the extent to which the images we consume through media have probably also been maniupulated. I know that there is not time to deliver a module covering this subject in great detail, but appreciate the fact that we have been given enough information to make a solid start, and if we are interested, to develop our proficiency in using these software packages independently.
To design my web page, I first accessed WIX and spent some time developing the layout for a site for my Storytellers’ Collective using this system. I did not find it extremely easily accessible however. When the course tutor, Brian Gorse, suggested that I try Weebly, I found that this seemed, for me, to allow greater ease of access, and thus designed my final web site using this system.
I have learned that patience, time and assistance are key to accessing and implementing the fantastic features available in all the software packages made available to us.