Advantages and Disadvantages Table

What equipment have you used over the past year?	Advantages	Disadvantages	What did I create with it? What features did I use? How effectively did I use it?
Adobe Photoshop	This software allowed me to easily manipulate my images, with such features as the clone tool that I may use to fix a problem or use a filter to achieve a certain effect etc. It also allows me to make photographs look better in general by manipulating the contrast and levels of the image. The photograph can also be resized and parts removed using such features as the crop or lasso tool.	Photoshop is designed to manipulate images, so therefore doesn’t respond well to large amount of text, which in some cases can lose quality. Some may argue that Photoshop can be complicated, especially to the beginner as in some cases it is rather complex.	I used Photoshop for the vast majority of my productions. By using such software for all my images I used a large amount of its features. For my very first piece, i implemented the magic wand tool as to remove the background of the image, then by changing the arrangement of the layers and pasting in a new image, I created a new background. To create the background I copied one image and created a montage using free transform. Before the photograph was placed in this document I also manipulate the levels to improve the overall the appearance of the photograph. In my final piece I used the more advanced capabilities for Photoshop, I used the quick selection tool to remove backgrounds and also I used a number of filters
In Design	In Design is much better at designing magazine articles than Photoshop. Although it likes many of Photoshop’s image manipulating tools it has such features as text box control which allows better control of large quantities of text thus making it easier to place large articles.	Indesign can be rather complicated to use at first due to its professional nature and capabilities. When regarding images this software lacks many manipulation techniques in comparison to Photoshop etc. This therefore can lead to having to export images to and from the two pieces of software which can become inconvenient and time consuming.	I only used InDesign for my last project of which I used it to create my double page spread. The reason for this was that I could implement its advantages of text features that Photoshop lacks thus making it easier to place my article. It also is more efficient in placing different variations of data so it was easier to place my layout.
Canon E350D Camera	This camera has features that will allow the photograph to produce a better photographs in that what his/hers goals are. Some examples of these include: shutter speed settings which can determine the amount of light in an image etc. An aperture setting which allows the photograph to focus more on a particular area by using focus. The camera can be used on continuous fast shots which can be useful when needing to take photographs in quick contention. The camera has a lens that can suit many different locations and shots making it dynamic. The overall quality of the camera is high in that it has a setting that will allow photographs to be taken at 8 megapixel, that will print the photograph out on A4 at a quality of 300dpi.	Although it is good for studio settings, it is rather immobile due to its weight and size also due to its value large caution must be taken in location shots. There are better performing cameras available such as the SLR’s that have a lower F stop setting which makes these cameras better in a dark environment and in shots that a low depth shot is needed. Other camera’s available have a higher quantity of megapixels to their disposal. Professional photographs would use  a min. Of 12 megapixels to ensure that good image quality would be maintained even at A3 size.	I used this camera to take all of my photographs that I have used without the course, therefore I have used it in many different locations and used many of its features. One main feature I used was its dynamic lens which played a part in every photograph just as rule although in some shots some more advanced features where used such as the shutter speed as to manipulate the light in the photograph. I also used the different automatic settings that determined the aperture of the photograph in terms of depth of focus. I’d like to think I used this camera very effectively as in every shoot I attempted to use its different features as to test which ones would create the best image.
800 watt Arrilite redheadsx2 continuous lighting	This lighting allows you to see how its light will affect the subjects of the shot. These are much simpler to use than flash lighting kits as they do not need to be metered. Easy to set up in the studio. This lighting allows spot and flood settings.	This lighting technique can coat the photograph in a red orange hue that needs to be removed by setting the camera to the appropriate white balance mode or by using the colour correction feature in Photoshop. This lighting can excrement large amounts of heat that can be uncomfortable for models and even damage subjects. Not necessarily professional as generally a flash lighting kit would be used.	Many of my shots were taken upon location, therefore I didn’t have much time to.
Bowens softbox and flash lighting equipment	This lighting method does not coat the photograph in a red/orange hue like continuous lighting. Can be rather cold as in some cases the heat off the continous lighting helps models perform. What method of lighting professionals would use. Allows better control of levels of light than its continous lighting. Filters and gels can be used to manipulate the image for example illuminate the background. Honeycombs can be used to further control the light on the subject in the model	Use of a flash meter is needed for this method of lighting to work. Can be difficult to set up for beginners due to its professional nature. Can be time consuming for even professionals and if a mistake occurs it can deter the quality of the final image to a tremendous proportion.
Lastolite paper backdrops	These backdrops do not crease therefore you get a better background to your image in terms of quality and professional nature.  They are also disposable so they can be drawn on etc. If desired to. Is easy to set up and is available in various colours to suit your desires.	Can become expensive as it needs to be replaced on a regular basis. Dependent on the colour and nature of the studio, it can become dirty, especially if white and can be torn rather easily due to its thin material. Rather large in its stature so it is hard to mobilise if not many people are on hand to help.
Silk Tripod	This equipment is extremely useful as it can be used to stabilise, tilt, pan the camera and make sure that it does not shake. the tripod is very mobile as it can be folded in on itself and made smaller in its size so it can be carried on location.	If this equipment is not unfolded properly and the camera placed incorrectly, shots could go wrong due to too much tilt etc. They can be expensive to be depending on its features although many of them are rather easy to brake.