The Rule of Thirds

The rule states that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaed vertical lines. The four points formed by the intersections of these lines can be used to align features in the photograph.

Proponents of this technique claim that aligning a photograph with these points creates more tension, energy, and interest in the photo.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds
Disclaimer

Learnings 101: Basic Photoshop Settings | Colors

Basic Photoshop Settings

In order to reset the settings of the Photoshop hold Ctrl + Alt + Shft (for PC) or Cmd + Option + Shft (for Mac), click the Adobe Photoshop application then choose Yes.

To set the settings: (For Mac)

Go to Photoshop and choose Preferences. You can also use the shortcut key Cmd + K

In File Handling make sure that you choose Always for Maximize PSD and PSB File Compatibility so that if ever you are using a higher version of Photoshop and you're going to transfer in a lower version you still have the settings.

For File Extension always use the lower case instead. File extensions in upper case will not work or load in the web.

The performance of your computer will depend on how large is your Scratch Disk. See to it that you will always have a free space for the application's computing space. RAM is the amount of memory assigned to Photoshop. This is where your OS will base the speed of the application.

In setting your History the application can have 1000 states but it will eat up the memory and can hang your application. Cache is the temporary memory.

For the Cursor it is advisable and it is easier to use the normal brush tip,

To make you ruler visible you can use the shortcut key Cmd + R or go to View and then Ruler. For print use the unit Inches, it is the basic unit of measure and we are more familiar to it.

Print Resolution: 300 pixels/inch

Screen Resolution: 72 pixels/inch

Smallest point for typography is 8pt = 12 pixels in web

Guides are very helpful in doing a project like for setting a margin or aligning stuffs. Just drag from your ruler (both vertical and horizontal) to your working area. It is in Cyan color but you can change if to one's desire.

Smart Guides are well smarter than guides, it is in color Magenta but can be changed if desired. Smart Guides can identify the center and the alignment of stuffs.

Color Settings

sRGB (for web) < Adobe RGB 1998 < ProPhoto RGB (larger color space)

The dot gain will depend on how absorbent is the paper.

Spot Color are the colors you cannot have with just RGB like neon and gold.

Colors and its Meanings

Purple

aloof fragrant royal melancholic feminine intelligent luxurious solemn vain

Blue

deep cold clean technical lonely peaceful protective authoritative

Green

patient natural adventurous relaxed athletic unfortunate balanced lucky safe sharing

Orange

helpful burning cozy abundant warning flavorful festive active excite communicative inspiring food

Red

dynamic vital romantic commanding alert rebellious complementary joyful visible hot fun food

Yellow

creative young visible bright cheerful light weight curious coward playful nutritious ill expanding

Bright colors can cause tension

RGB main colors for digital + B & W = more than 16.8 million colors

CMY main colors  for print + B & W = more than 16.8 million colors

Expectations Yeah! \m/

Learnings and Expectations

Principles in Design and Color Theory, our second major subject for our course Multimedia Arts.

It's our first day yet I'm late. Yeah! Good start (insert sarcasm). Our professor for this subject is a photographer, a web designer and a speaker Mr. Rey Mendoza Jr.

Today, we've discussed the brief history of cave painting, and how Egyptians first used colors in their works and make-ups such as lipstick. We also tackled the different meaning and symbolism of the color violet: intelligence, fragrant, feminine, etc. Did you know how the color violet represents royalty? Well, it is because one must dive deep into the ocean to get a sea creature that can produce the color violet. Because of the difficulty and dangerousness just to acquire this color, it is sold in a very high price that only royalties can afford it.

A multimedia artist is a problem solver. We answer and we provide what our clients want. But how can we satisfy our clients with our work? Here are the guide questions to help us through a multimedia project:

1. Goal. What is the goal of the project? We must know what is the objective of the project. This will serve as our guide in doing it.

2.Audience. Who are the audience? It is the receiver of the project, far from the client itself. We must suit their preferences.

3.Budget and Timeline. What is our budget and timeline? The budget is the money provided for the project plus the fee for the design. The timeline is the timeframe allotted in doing the project. One must provide allowance to avoid problems.

In this subject I hope that I will truly understand the principles of design and color theories. I hope that after this semester I can use Adobe Photoshop properly. And of course I hope that this subject will also be enjoyable.

Checkout Mr Rey Mendoza's blog here: http://reymendoza.blogspot.com/

New Media + Investigative Journalism

Significance of New Media on the Practice of Investigative Journalism

If before we only have Traditional Media to disseminate information especially in terms of news and investigative reports now we already have New Media. It is also known as Digital Media which has a big part in delivering necessary information to the public. It is a good way to reach everyone everywhere anytime. It is also a good way not only for huge news companies but also for independent journalist to let people know what they want to let them know. Just like the case of Ms. Marites Vitug where she aimed to publish the book she wrote. It became possible for her to distribute her book but only through "small bookstores" where she can only reach small percent of readers compared if she had it in National Book Store for example. It's hard to convince publishers to publish your book especially if it is kind of "controversial". And even you did so it will be hard to reach your target market. There is this Youtube account I found a couple of years ago called the PinoyMonkeyPride, there they made a video regarding the Congjuangcos and the Aquinos, the People Power, and anything about the Filipinos and its government. It is not the typical-sometimes-boring-documentaries-or-compilations-of facts, it is a creative way of telling people that there is something they need to know. Their videos already earned hundred-thousands and millions of viewers it shows that it is a good medium to use to say something important to the people.

I love watching documentaries of different sorts.These are the windows to the real world. They clearly shows the world around us. No scripts, no actors and actresses, no take twos they are genuine and based on facts. There are so many documentaries that can be watched now a days on Philippine tv. And New Media also has a big impact in creating and spreading these eye-openers in the world of internet. From award winning documentaries to amateurs' and to students' documentary creations, many can be found on the internet. If you can remember there is this documentary film the GMA News and Public Affairs created called Camera ni Juan: Pelikulang Binuo ng Mamamayan. It is a docu-film created by different types Filipinos from different parts of the country. A compilation of amateur videos they took using cellphone camera or digital camera to create a whole film and it was directed for visual direction by Brillante Mendoza. It is a film to serve as an eye-opener to what our country faces in reality. I can say that this is one of the most successful and most meaningful use of the new media. It really shows that anyone can contribute and send a message asking a for change.

But we should always remember that we have to be responsible enough in doing something especially investigative journalism. There will always be risk in doing investigative report but it does not mean we should stop doing what we think is right. We should also keep in mind that the are ethics to follow and principles to be kept in my and in heart. Loyalty to the citizens, the obligation is to the truth and ethical behavior are some of the things we must consider.

Remember that DOING THE RIGHT THING TAKES COURAGE AND STRENGTH!

Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court by Ms. Marites Vitug

GMA News and Public Affairs' Camera ni Juan: Pelikulang Binuo ng Mamamayan Teaser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaL8awQEbho

PinoyMonkeyPride Youtube account:

http:// http://www.youtube.com/user/PinoyMonkeyPride