HT Portfolio Project

Re: Glee's GQ cover shoot: playfully saucy or wildly inappropriate?

In the article Glee's GQ cover shoot: playfully saucy or wildly inappropriate? Lee Ferguson addresses the controversy surrounding the "inappropriate" photoshoot taken by Glee stars Lea Michele, Cory Montheith and Dianna Agron. The controversy surrounds the girls stylized highschool vixen personas. Many are disappointed that the magazine has chosen pictures that depict characters from a teen-themed series in sexualized poses while the Parents Television Council insists that the photos "border on pedophilia". I think pedophilia is way far off, as Lea Michele and Dianna Agron are in their twenties, and Cory Montheith is almost 30. I think that everyone is blowing this way out of proportion by saying that these photos will make teenage girls feel like they have to be sexualized in order to be desired. Being a teenage girl myself, these photos don't make me feel like that. Girls who do feel like that however, won't feel like that because of these pictures. There's many other reasons why teens would feel like that, and the Parents Television Council should focus more on that than of pictures of legal age actors in a photoshoot. However, I do think that a lot of this controversy could have been avoided if the photoshoot didn't take place in a highschool.

Re: 3D TV on a slow boil

In the article titled 3D TV on a slow boil, Peter Nowak addresses the current underwhelming reaction of consumers to 3D TVs. Television makers are now hoping that 3D TVs will become a hit this upcoming holiday season. He says that about only 2 percent of all flat-panel televisions in North America were 3D. High prices, a lack of content and the need to wear glasses have all contributed to the consumers lack of desire to buy. However, some manufacturers are addressing this fact and lowering the price of the TVs and even including a Blu-ray player and two pairs of glasses. Television manufacturers are now relying mostly on Hollywood studios to create proper 3D movies so buyers will be more attracted to 3D TVs. The signals from studios, however, are mixed. The release of Avatar on a 2D disc disappointed many Television makers as they had hoped its release in 3D would sell more TVs. Manufacturers are being optimistic about the situatuion and believe that 3D TVs will make up about 41 percent of all sets sold in 2014. To be honest, I think purchasing a 3D TV right now would be quite dumb. Most TV shows can't be shown in 3D and unless you watch every single 3D movie that comes out, 3D TVs hold little purpose. I think people are waiting until the technology develops more and becomes more affordable. Until then, TV manufactueres will just have to face the fact that most people can't afford 3D TV's and the people who can don't really need them.

10 Things About Me Photoshop Collage

Re: Amazon wins fight to patent "one-click" technology in Canada

In the article Internet retailer Amazon wins fight to patent "one-click" technology in Canada, states that the website has won the battle to patent it's online payment system in Canada, which allows shoppers to make purchases with one click. The court decision protects Amazon's "one-click" technology from being illegally used in Canada. The technology allows the customers billing information and credit card information to be on file, resulting in them to only click once. The court ruled that Amazons payment system is a "business method" and is patent in Canada. My opinion on the matter isn't very clear to me, as I have never used Amazon to purchase anything and don't plan on using it in the near future. However, I could imagine how some people may find this a personal breach as all their important information is on record. I don't think it would be a big deal to give out that kind of information, as the site is supposed to be safe. If anything did happen, you could take legal action.

Re: Facebook Apps Breach Privacy

Supposedly, ten applications used by Facebook are transmitting users personal information to dozens of advertising and Internet tracking companies, says the article Facebook Apps Breach Privacy. The breach also includes those who set their profiles to private and in some cases the apps provided access to friends' names. A Facebook spokesperson declared a statement saying that the company would introduce new technology to contain the breach. Facebook has already taken immediate action to disable the applications that have violated their terms and claims that most apps are independent software companies and not Facebook. I am not surprised that this happened, because there are so many apps you can use on Facebook. It's sad that people use applications and don't realize that they're information is being posted to advertising companies, especially people who are actually trying to be safe on the site. Facebook has been pretty controversial regarding the use of personal information, but the fact that their actually trying to do something about the breach means that Facebook isn't a bad site, there's just glitches, like any other normal site.

Re: Oscars: Maintstream genres get a little breathing room

In the article titled "Oscars: Mainstream genres get a little breathing room" by Susan Wloszczyna, she explains how more of the mainstream movies may earn a spot on the nominee list for the Oscars. For Documentary, Michael Moore's Capitalism: A Love Story, was seen as the most likely choice for the documentary category, even though it didn't spark as much passionate debate as Farhenheit 9/11 in 2004. For Animated Feature, Pixar's UP seems likely for the spot, as critics loved it and the box office made millions. For Tech-Loaded Blockbuster, of course James Cameron's Avatar would be a more than likely choice, as long as it lives up to its hype. Foreign Language Film would  be The White Ribbon by Michael Haneke of Germany. Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds take the spot for Action Thriller. The Hangover was seen as the years best comedy, however its sex farces have never been an academy favourite, so It's Complicated would probably take the spot. As this article was from a year ago, reading this article was a little weird. As I (and everyone) knows that Avatar definitely lived up to its hype, and then some. I would agree with the articles choices for the movies, as I adored UP and I would assume Capitalism: A Love Story would be good, as I have seen Farhenheit 9/11. Although I definitely think that the academy should get past its hatred for sex farces, as The Hangover was a lot funnier than It's Complicated.

Photo Composition Assignment: Photo 6

In this photo of a flood in a town in China, there is contrast among the black and white buildings, which naturally draws your eye to them. Also, it is balanced formally, as the buildings are roughly the same height and the water is at the same level.

Photo Composition Assignment: Photo 5

This photo of Female North Korean Soldiers marching during a military parade are balanced formally, as each outer row of women are the same size. There is also pattern among the marchers.

Photo Composition Assignment: Photo 4

The bird cages make this photo of Pat McKeefrey make repairs to his bird shed balanced formally. With the light background, the black silhouette of the cages and the birds stands out, adding contrast.

Photo Composition Assignment: Photo 3

This photo of a Uzbek woman and her son, reflected in the broken mirror of their house, adds contrast to the light background of the mirror and the damaged house remains. Also, a lot of texture is added with the cracked mirror and broken debris.

Photo Composition Assignment: Photo 2

This photo illustrates formal balance, as the deer and the tennis net pole are on opposite sides of the photograph. Also, there is size, because although the deer and the net make it balanced, they are different sizes.

Photo Composition Assignment: Photo 1

In this photo of a plastic factory explosion in China, there is an evident level of depth. It is balanced asymmetrically, with the burning building on one side, people and smoke on the other and then a small building in the middle. The destroyed building pieces on the ground add texture to the picture.

Re: Photoshop Mobile App for iPhone

This brief article tells its viewers about the new iPhone app for photoshop. Users who already own the photoshop program will be able to obtain the photoshop app for free, which will enable photo sharing and data back-up, which will save them valuable space. Vice president and general manager of Consumer and Hosted Solutions at Adobe says that iPhone users will be armed with the tools to document life's unexpected moments, make them look perfect, and then re-live them with friends and family. Since there is literally an iPhone app for everything, it does not surprise me that there is one for photoshop. If I had an  iPhone, I would definitely enjoy the photoshop app. I think it would be really convenient to edit and share photos right as you take them, without having to upload them all to a computer, then edit them, and then post them to Facebook.

Re: What the web will look like in 5 years

Google CEO Eric Schmidt was interviewed at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo Orlando 2009 and explained his vision of the internet in 5 years. He tells the thousands of CIOs and IT Directors what different aspects will shape the future web. Some highlights he talked about include the domination of chinese language content, broadband well above 100MB in performance and content pointed more towards video. One aspect he mentioned grabbed my attention: teenagers are the model of how the web will work- they jump from app to app to app seamlessly. I agree with this statement. I believe teenagers are really the ones who understand computers and the internet the best, because they're growing up with this technology. It's not something new thats being introduced to them at a late age like most adults. If the internet is molded around how teenagers use them then it would be right to say that it will be the best its ever been.

Airbrushing: Brad Pitt

Before

After

Airbrushing: Jake Gyllenhaal

Before

After

Picture of Jake Gyllenhaal, airbrushed by me using many tools on Photoshop. 

Re: What's Legal Youtube: Fair Use vs. Copyright Laws

In the article What's Legal Youtube: Fair Use vs. Copyright Laws, the line between fair use of the site and copyright laws is examined. It is stated that a video or song that is recent is not allowed to be posted on any website without permission from the copyright owner. The only time a video/song can be posted without permission and still be allowed is when the copyright expires or when the video/song is used for educational purposes. If it is used without permission then legal action can be taken and the music company can sue for piracy and jail time is possible for anyone who is convicted. I believe that this law is pretty dumb. If someone posted a song on youtube, then they would really just be promoting the song by giving other people the ability to listen to the song and decide if they want to download it or buy their CD. I think if the person who posted it actually says that it was their song/video, when it clearly isn't, then legal action should be taken and their account should be disabled. However, if the person who posted the video gives credit to the music company then it should be fine. The fact that music companies don't allow this is just another way for them to make more money, not to "preserve the rights of it's work".

Re: Online Hate

In the article titled Online Hate, the website Media Awareness explores the ways in which online hate is used. They examine the line between hate speech and free speech and provides insight when trying to safeguard children and teenagers. They mention how hate speech goes against the law, and is a criminal offence to "publicly incite hatred". They explain how hate sites are usually formed and how you can tell what a hate site is and what isn't. Most important of all, they help you respond to online hate if you've been a victim of the offense by contacting the internet service provider, reporting online hate to the police, file a complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commision, etc. I have never been a victim of online hate, however I feel like this article has prepared me for if and when I do encounter it. What they had to say about the matter was very intelligent and helpful, and would be a great resource to those who are victims of online hate.