File formats

Image file formats are standardized means of organizing and storing digital images. 

Joint Photographic Experts Group, also known as JPEG, is an image file format suitable for web use. The most common image format for digital cameras and other photographic image capture devices, JPEG uses a method named lossy compression that can be adjusted, allowing a selectable trade-off between storage size and image quality. Strengths for using the JPEG file format include its fast compression speed and the compressed image size and quality trade-off being user determined. However, JPEG isn't a suitable strategy for images that are still in the process of being edited and is not intended for moving image.

Another image file format is Portable Network Graphics, or PNG. A bitmapped image format, PNG employs losless data compression, meaning that the exact original data can be constructed from the compressed data. Strengths for using the PNG file format include its variable transparency and control of image brightness.

BMP, also known as bitmap, is another image file format suitable for web use. BMP is used to store bitmap digital images, especially on Microsoft windows other operating systems. Strengths for using the BMP file format include that files are easily created from existing pixel data in an array in memory, aswell as pixel values being able to be modified individually or as large groups if a palette is present. On the other hand, BMP files can be very large in size and typically don't scale very well. 

Scalable Vector Graphics, commonly know as SVG, is a family of an XML-based file format for describing two-dimensional vector graphics. 

Social Networking article

Since it's invention 20 years ago, the Internet has risen to an outstanding popularity. Social networking, particularly in the 21st century, has also become an extremely popular element in the everyday lives of many people. For example, one of the world’s most popular Social Networking websites, Facebook, boasts to have over 500 million members. Social Networking websites are social structures, built to connect individuals through some sort of relationship, whether it is friendship, common interest or beliefs.

However, there are both positive social benefits and negative impacts of Social Networking. One element that could be argued to be either a positive or negative impact is how easily accessible Social Networking is to insight into people’s everyday lives. Examples of these include the Facebook News Feed, and Myspace Bulletin. Whereas some believe that these elements are simple and convenient, others feel an invasion of personal space with having their every move on Social Networking websites shown for everyone to see.

Social Networking websites have also been picked at for the effect they may be having on friendships. With users averaging out to have over one hundred friends, there is one question many are asking; does anyone really have that many personal friends? This is leaving many people to question whether Social Networking is making friendship meaningless, and taking away it’s values.

Now we have the Internet, we are able to access many different information from different areas at our request, unlike a book. Although this can be seen as a positive element, it creates an easy distraction as a bombardment of different information tests the mind. Also, it creates the possibility that all the read information won’t be taken in, as it is coming in sections from different factors.

Personally, one method of digital communication, which I feel has the most impact of my life today, is the mobile phone. Whether it is text, phone call's, email or the Internet; I can access it all via my mobile. This piece of technology enables a simple and compact way for me to communicate over many different elements. If this technology weren't to exist, it would make it difficult for me to reach different sources. Instead of using my mobile on the go for email and the Internet, I would have to wait until I was by a computer to access them.

The future of Social Networking is unsure, but there are many factors that are certain. Places where the Internet is used up to 18 hours a day, such as South Korea, could see a further increase in Internet addiction, resulting in treatment, unless help is given. Also, many frequent Internet users could also lose their sense of reality. In real life, things aren’t always going to go as planned, whereas, in the world of the Internet, it is you that has self-control.

Print and Publishing 21/09

For this particular lesson, we were brought to the Print room. Once being introduced to the equipment, the group were asked to gather objects that they wished to use for their print. The chosen objects had to include some sort of detail; whether it be rough edges, or different depths.

The first type of print that we were asked to produce was a Monoprint. As told by the name, a Monoprint means an image that cannot be exact when repeated; it is an original. A form of tracing, Monoprint's are created when paper is placed on a thick layer of ink before being drawn on, transferring the ink onto the paper.

Below are some examples of Monoprinting, produced by myself.

Above is a Print of a slice of lemon. Personally, this particular print was one of my least favourites. One reason for my dislike of this print is the amount of excess ink from where little pressure has been applied to the design to enable it to print correctly.

 

Above is a print of a shell. Compared to the lemon slice, there is an improvement in the pressure, and therefore the amount of excess ink. One element of this print that I particularly like is the shape, as it perfectly represents a shell. However, it lacks in detail. To improve this print, I could have used my hand to smudge lines, in order to add effect.

Print making

Intaglio Printing

Intaglio printing is a given name for a family of printmaking techniques in which the image is indented into a surface. The first step towards making an Intaglio print includes applying ink to the surface using a mushroom shape tool. Once applied, excess ink is rubbed off using a cloth, before a smooth finish is given with either a piece of newspaper or yellow pages to leave only the ink incisions. Before running through a printing press, a damp piece of paper is placed over the plate. The press then applies pressure to the plate, and transfers the ink to the paper.

Below is an example of a Intaglio print by an artist named Durer.

The use of repetitive lines and no flat areas of tone or colour in this image is how you can tell that Durer's print of a rhino is Intaglio. The attention to detail and stylised form works well with Intaglio.

Relief Printing
Relief printing is an image created by a printmaking process where the areas of the plate that are to show printed black are on the original surface. Printing is a relatively easy matter, with the inked plate coming into firm contact with the paper. During Relief printing, a printing press isn't needed as the back of the paper can be rubbed or pressed by hand, and tools such as rollers can be used. 

Below is an example of a Relief print by an artist named Katsushika Hoksai. 

The use of block colours are typical for Relief Print's. However, the use of minor detail adds effect to this Print.
 
Planographic Printing
Unlike either Relief or Intaglio Printing, Planographic printing means from a flat surface. Planographic techniques include lithography. The image is applying a greasey substance to a plate or stone.

Below is an example of a Planographic print by an artist named Edvard Munch.

Stencil Printing
Stencil's are used as templates to draw or paint identical images every time it is used. To form a stencil, sections are removed from template material in the form of text or an image. The template can then be used to create impressions of the stenciled image, by applying pigment on the surface of the template and through the removed sections, leaving a reproduction of the stencil on the underlying surface.

Below is an example of a Stencil print by an artist named Andy Warhol.

Interactive Media 23/09

This morning, Alex started by handing us the criteria for our Induction Project and covering what was needed to meet each task that was given. Once finished, we continued by learning about how to use RSS Feeds and what sort of websites include RSS in their functions, such as Perez Hilton, Daily Mail and NME. After fully understanding about RSS Feeds and how they worked, we searched for websites that include or would be suitable in RSS, followed by subscribing to them on our own Google accounts.

What is a blog?

What is a blog?
A blog is an online journal in which people are able to submit diary entries. Subjects risen in blogs can include either a personal diary or hobbies and interests. Blogs often enable others to comment on each entry.

Who uses blogs?
Anyone who wishes to start a blog can do so. Those who become bloggers include people who just simply want to record their day to day lives, aswell as those who want to discuss a specific topic. Some bloggers make a living out of the blog entries that they post online. For example, Perez Hilton, a Hollywood superstar, has his blog read by millions. 

Perez Hilton blog

How do you embed an image into your blog?
To embed an image into your blog, you must begin by selecting your chosen image. If your chosen image is one from a website, you continue by copying the URL at the top of your page. Next, you must create your new blog post and click on the link labelled "Insert image." Here, your may enter your copied URL and allow it to appear in your blog. If you wish to embed a saved image, you must start by once again clicking the link labelled "Insert image." After this, you must browse for your chosen image, before finally embeding it to your blog.

How do you embed a youtube clip into your blog?
To embed a youtube clip into your blog, you must begin by selecting your chosen clip. Once you have chosen your clip, you must scroll to the bottom of it where you choose the link labelled "Embed." After choosing the link, you continue by copying the code given. When posting your video into your blog, you must also ensure that you have chosen to put it in the "Edit HTMl" link. Once pasted, you shall have your video embeded into your blog.



What is an RSS Feed and how do we use one?
Really Simple Syndication, commonly known as RSS, is a system used to collect frequently updated web feed formats through an aggregator. Examples of these include blog entries, news headlines, audio and video. 

What are the benefits of RSS and RSS readers?
RSS readers allow you to subscribe to different news feeds. The benefit of choosing which feeds you wish to subscribe to is that news is filtered through an aggregator to show exactly what you wish to see and read.  

In email, what is meant by CC and BCC?
In email, CC stands for Carbon Copy. A carbon copy is used to send the exact message to another address, but to inform the receiver that they are not the intended recipient of the message. BCC, which stands for Blind Carbon Copy, sends a copy of the message to a third party's address without the recipient of the message knowing.

My first blog

My name is Alice and I live in Trowbridge. I am currently studying Media at Bath College. I enjoy listening to music and attend live gigs and festivals, such as the Reading Weekend. My favourite genres include Rock and Indie.

Below is a link to one of my favourite bands, Los Campesinos!

Below is a photograph of some friends and I on our last day.