The Production of a Header Image

I would say that my header image conveys that my website will be about music as I included an image of a record player and another image of music sound waves. This relates to the information needs of my target audience as it lets readers know right away that my blog is essentially about all things music-related.

I found my images through Google Advanced Search by using the keyword phrase “free stock image” with the addition of other keywords such as “sound waves” and “music.” I know that I am allowed to reuse the following images because according to the fair use statute, I am using the images for nonprofit educational purposes.

By using the website Pixlr, I was able to combine two creative commons images through editing with layers. First, I found the images I wanted to use through using Google Advanced Search. Then, I edited the saturation and coloring of the image of the record player. Next, I used two separate layers for both images and changed the transparency of the second image, which was the image of the sound waves. According to Manovich’s article, I used the technique of using a filter and creating distortion for the first image layer. In addition, I manipulated the transparency of the second image layer to combine both images.

I would say that my production process is definitely different from the single-layer bitmap image that Davison describes. MS paint used direct manipulation of images through the direct use of a mouse. I would say that using Pixlr is a very different experience as there are tools set up to manipulate images efficiently by using layers. The interface of Pixlr is more complex while maintaining ease of use. Overall, there are more options with Pixlr while MS paint is super simple.