ericduisme

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Editing and Adding Music to the Podcast

After recording and editing the episode, it was time to publish it. I chose Spotify again, not only because it’s easy to use, but it’s also one of the most popular podcast platforms.

I also upload each episode along with a cover and episode description. Creating the descriptions is an important step. I want to make sure the descriptions are short but informative, giving potential listeners a clear idea of ​​what each episode is about. The cover art I design for the podcast is also key in grabbing attention. It visually represents the themes of Insight NZ - international students, cultural diversity, and studying abroad.

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Editing and Adding Music to the Podcast

After recording each episode, the next step is editing. Riverside.FM makes this process easy. I can edit out mistakes, adjust volume, and make sure each section flows smoothly. Editing can be the most time-consuming part, but it's important to make each episode sound professional.

To make the episode more engaging, I decided to add background music. Music can set the tone and help listeners stay focused on the content. Their platform also has a lot of good instrumental music for me to choose from, and I can also upload any music I want.

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Recording the Podcast on Riverside.FM

Choosing Riverside.FM for recordings When recording Insight NZ I wanted a platform that was easy to use but provided professional quality. After some research, I decided to use Riverside.FM. It is designed specifically for podcasts and provides excellent audio quality, which is important to me as an independent host. Plus, it allows me to focus on my script without worrying about technical details.

Recording on Riverside.FM is very simple. I set up my microphone and make sure my recording space is quiet. Each episode is recorded in segments to keep it flowing and natural, and to allow for pauses when needed. What I like about Riverside.FM is that it saves all of my recordings in high-quality files. This is especially helpful when I need to re-record certain parts. Sometimes I stutter or want to re-record a section to make it sound more natural. With Riverside, I can easily stop and start again without losing my content.

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The Creative Process Behind "Insight NZ: International Students Uncovered"

My podcast is completely done. Creating Insight NZ: International Students Revealed has been an exciting and personal journey. As an international student in New Zealand, I have experienced many of the challenges we face and I want to share these stories with a wider audience. This podcast is my way of exploring the social, economic, and cultural difficulties that international students go through.

The idea for the podcast came from wanting to raise awareness. After researching academic studies, news articles, and personal experiences, I knew there was a lot more to explore as an international student.

I produced three episodes in total, each focusing on a specific challenge. The first episode, "Bridging the Cultural Divide," looks at the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture, including language barriers and social isolation. The second episode, "Financial Woes," delves into the financial pressures of studying abroad, such as high tuition fees and living expenses. The final episode, "Exploring Your Path After Graduation," explores the challenges international students face when staying in New Zealand after graduation.

I know writing scripts has never been my strong point, but this time, I spent a whole day completing each of my three episodes. Including what I am going to talk about, the information I am looking for, etc.

When I found out I was done, I was so happy！！

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Reflections on Completing the Project

As I approach the end of this project, I find myself reflecting on the journey – from curating each photo taken in Hamilton Gardens, to seeing the final photos come together in a physical album and an online e-book. This project is more than just a series of photo shoots, it is an exploration of cultural narratives, creative storytelling and personal growth. Hamilton Gardens provided the perfect setting for this journey. Each themed garden offers something different – ​​whether it’s the geometric perfection of the Italian Renaissance Gardens, the tranquility and philosophical atmosphere of the Chinese Literati Gardens, or the fascinating historical symbolism of the Ancient Egyptian Gardens. Each space has its own story to tell, and my goal is to capture these stories in a way that resonates with the audience.

The most important lesson I learned from this project was adaptability. The weather didn’t always cooperate, the light wasn’t always ideal, and some compositions required a lot of patience. There were times when I had to improvise. I also learned a lot about visual storytelling. Creating the photo album and e-book helped me understand how to build a cohesive story. It’s not just about the individual photos; it’s about how they connect to each other to form a flow. Each photo had to add to the overall story of Hamilton Gardens, and arranging them in the right order was key. I wanted the viewer to feel like they were walking through the gardens with me, taking the same journey as I was. This project also allowed me to grow on a personal level. I developed new photo editing skills, learned about the complexities of producing physical and e-books, and gained a deeper appreciation for telling cultural stories through design. Editing photos to enhance their natural beauty while keeping them as authentic as I saw them was a rewarding challenge. It pushed me to refine my skills in tools like Lightroom to ensure each photo captured the essence of each garden.

Additionally, creating the final e-book on Behance and the photo book in collaboration with Snapfish allowed me to see how different presentations impacted the reception of a story. Physical books have a tactile feel that’s perfect for close reading, while e-books can be easily shared with a wider audience, helping me reach people outside of my own community.

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Creating My Photo Book with Snapfish

Why I Chose Snapfish

When I set out to make a photo book for my Hamilton Gardens project, I wanted something that could bring my digital photography to life in a physical form. Snapfish stood out as the best choice because it offered a simple way to create a professional-looking photo book, with customizable templates and quality printing. It was my first time using such a platform, and I wanted the process to be easy while still offering creative control.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Uploading the Photos The first step was to upload all my selected images to Snapfish. I wanted each garden theme to be represented, so I chose a mix of wide-angle shots to show the garden layouts and close-ups that focused on intricate details. My goal was to create a photo book that truly captured the variety and cultural richness of Hamilton Gardens.

2. Choosing a Template Snapfish offers many templates, and I decided on a simple yet elegant layout. I wanted to emphasize the beauty of the gardens without too many distractions. I chose a 13x18cm softcover book with glossy pages, which I felt would be perfect for my project. The theme I chose was "Studio Multi," which gave me a lot of flexibility to arrange my photos the way I envisioned. Here is a screenshot of my book cover:

I chose a minimalist background to keep the focus on the images themselves. You can see in the screenshot how I used a subtle texture to add a refined feel without drawing attention away from the photographs.

3. Adding Captions and Descriptions For each garden, I wanted to add a bit of context to help viewers understand the cultural significance behind the design. The Italian Renaissance Garden, for example, features symmetry and formal elements, representing the Renaissance's desire for control and beauty. Adding these short descriptions helped transform the photo book into a storytelling experience rather than just a collection of images.

Here's how one of the pages looks with descriptions:

In this layout, I used a combination of two smaller images alongside a larger focal image. This helped break up the visual flow and allowed me to present both close-up details and wide shots together.

4. Customizing Layouts and Backgrounds Snapfish also offers background customization options. I chose subtle, soft colors to keep the focus on the photos. The backgrounds helped add a bit of warmth to the pages without distracting from the content. Here are the background options I used:

Using these backgrounds made the book feel more cohesive. It’s important that the colors in the backgrounds complement the tones in the photos—this small detail helps in creating an overall balanced look.

Creating this photo book taught me a lot about organizing visual narratives. I realized how you arrange your photos is important; it can completely change the flow and impact of the story you want to tell. I also learned the value of combining words and pictures to create a richer viewing experience. The process of using Snapfish was so easy, and I loved the creative freedom it provided. Being able to hold the book in my hands and flip through it made all the hard work worth it.

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Making My Final eBook on Behance

I have completed my photo e-book and I have it on my Behance. Behance is a well-known platform for creative people (photographers, designers and artists), where many people will convey their works. It is also a very intuitive audience that I think appreciates art and storytelling.

I went through all the photos I took at Hamilton Gardens and selected the ones that best represented each themed garden. I wanted each photo to tell a part of the story of the cultural design of the gardens, so I looked for photos that showed unique features, interesting perspectives, or small details that added depth to the narrative. Once I had chosen the photos, I uploaded them to Behance and arranged them so that they flowed naturally between the gardens. I grouped the photos by theme, starting with the Italian Renaissance Garden and then moving on to other gardens such as the Chinese Literati Garden. This sequence helps convey a sense of journey, as if you were walking through the gardens yourself.

It was very satisfying to see my project presented as a complete eBook on Behance. It made me realize how important it is to add a story to visual art. Overall, using Behance allowed me to share the garden in a way that was true to my vision. It was a rewarding experience and I hope this eBook inspires others to see the beauty and story of Hamilton Gardens.

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Learning from Others—Inspiration and Insights from Photo Books

It's also a very worthwhile process to learn how to make a good photo book. Like I mentioned before, John Szarkowski or Andrew Zuckerman. Their books talk a lot about layout and the types of photos they choose and how to tell a story visually.

I started looking through a lot of great photo books and ebooks.

Here is a link to one of them. On Behance, you can see many photos taken by photography enthusiasts on different scenes or themes. These are all things worth learning.

What I pursue is not only an eBook, I also want to design a photo book of my own through my own efforts.

From the video, we can also understand that designing a photo book is not that simple. From the cover to the layout, it needs to be designed carefully.

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The Process of Editing My Photos for the Book

I recently completed my photography project and have been completely filmed so I have started to adjust and select my photos for my photo book. What I want to show is the most unique design of each garden, so I have to put a lot of thought into selecting pictures and adjusting the images.

Take these two pictures, for example. They are pictures of Italian gardens that I find very interesting. I used symmetrical composition to go from the statues in the foreground to the buildings in the distance. Putting the two pictures on one page will make you feel its charm.

I also used Lightroom and Retouchpics to support my image fine-tuning. Retouchpics is a mobile app from China that is very convenient for me to use because I only need to open my phone to connect to my camera to adjust the photos.

Like LR, it can adjust the brightness, contrast, color level, HSL, highlights and shadows of photos. And it has a big advantage that it is completely free, which LR cannot give.

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Final reflections and future directions

This experience deepened my understanding of how garden design can be a visual narrative of cultural heritage, and how photography can be a medium to explore and express these narratives. I have come to realise that each garden in Hamilton Gardens is more than just a collection of plants and buildings – it is a carefully curated space that reflects the philosophy, values ​​and aesthetics of a particular culture.

I found that shooting in different lighting conditions and weather factors, such as shooting in the rain, can bring unexpected depth to photos. These experiences enriched this project and taught me the value of flexibility in creative work. I also started sharing my work through the Behance platform to reach more garden designers and photography enthusiasts. You can view some of my work from the Hamilton Gardens project on my Behance page.

Overall, this project at Hamilton Gardens has not only expanded my photographic skills, but also deepened my understanding of how spaces convey cultural narratives. I look forward to applying these insights to future projects and continually improving my ability to capture the stories within landscapes. Behance will continue to be a showcase for my evolving portfolio.

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Challenges and Creative Solutions in Garden Photography

One unexpected challenge I encountered during the shoot was the weather. On the first day of shooting at Hamilton Gardens, the weather suddenly turned and it began to drizzle. This was initially a challenge as I had planned to capture the vibrant colours and intricate details of the gardens in sunny weather. However, rather than letting the rain put a damper on the project, I adapted and found creative ways to continue shooting. I sought sheltered areas in the gardens to avoid the rain, using buildings and pavilions to keep myself and my equipment dry. This in turn provided opportunities for new compositions and perspectives. For example, when the sky began to darken and I was shooting with low light, I used a lot of flash to shoot, which had unexpected effects.

For example, I hid under a tree to avoid the rain. At this time, if we change our mindset and observe, it might be a good time to take pictures of the plants.

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Chinese Scholars' Garden: Harmony Between Man and Nature

Unlike Italian Renaissance gardens, Chinese literati gardens embody a philosophy of balance and coexistence with nature. The winding paths, water features, and asymmetrical layouts reflect Taoist principles of harmony and natural flow. The design aims to create a sense of tranquility, encouraging contemplation and connection with the natural world.

My photography of Chinese gardens focuses on capturing the subtle details that reflect these philosophical ideas. The tranquil pond and the ancient Chinese courtyard are very unique elements. However, the most noteworthy is the bamboo forest in the back, where people once carved words on the bamboo. I used flash to shoot this scene in close-up to highlight the delicate balance between nature and human influence.

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Exploring Cultural Symbols in Garden Design

I also personally visited several major gardens during this project, and I will also share my photographic results and explore the design and expression of two of the gardens.

Italian Renaissance Gardens: Symbols of Order and Humanism

The Italian Renaissance Garden stands as a testament to the ideals of humanism and order. Through my photography, I seek to capture this sense of control and harmony. Wide-angle shots emphasize the structural geometry of the garden, while close-ups of the decorative sculptures highlight the craftsmanship that echoes Renaissance art and architecture. By focusing on the contrast between man-made elements and the natural surroundings, my photographs reveal how this garden represents the human desire to shape and perfect nature.

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Hamilton Garden photoshoot in progress

I'm nearing the end of a long-awaited project. In recent weeks I've completed 80% of the project and the principal photography is now completely finished.

Hamilton Gardens is not just an ordinary botanical garden, but a cultural masterpiece located in Hamilton, New Zealand. Unlike traditional gardens, it is a series of themed spaces, each representing the artistic and historical significance of a different culture. The gardens are designed to be immersive, bringing visitors into a narrative space where the garden design, architecture, and plants work together to tell a unique story.

My concept for this project was to delve deeper into these cultural stories through my lens. Photography is a powerful medium that can showcase the grand design of each garden as well as reveal the intricate details of its cultural symbolism.

Hamilton Gardens is a 54-hectare park located on both sides of the Waikato River. It is the most popular attraction in the Waikato region, attracting more than 1 million visitors each year. This year is a brand new beginning. Since September 18, Hamilton Garden has ushered in a huge upgrade. Updated the graphics of many gardens, and added a new medieval garden.

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Episode Planning and Scriptwriting: Creating Compelling Stories

Creating a podcast that effectively engages listeners and communicates important social issues requires careful planning and thoughtful scriptwriting. I decided to focus on three core social news topics that directly impact international students in New Zealand. These topics (cultural integration challenges, financial struggles, and post-graduation paths) were chosen based on extensive research and their relevance to the target audience. Here is what each episode will look like: Episode 1: Bridging the Cultural Divide This episode explores the cultural challenges that international students face, including language barriers, social isolation, and difficulties building relationships with local students. I designed this episode to begin with an introduction to New Zealand’s multicultural environment, then explore common integration challenges that students face. It ends with a discussion of possible solutions, including support systems available from universities and local communities.

Episode 2: Financial Struggles In this episode, I will delve into the financial realities of international students, covering topics such as high tuition fees, limited employment opportunities, and the overall cost of living in New Zealand. I decided to start with a personal story that many students can relate to, as a jumping-off point to discuss broader financial challenges. The episode then uses research data to highlight the impact these financial pressures have on students’ academic performance and mental health, and ends with a proposal for policy changes and initiatives that could alleviate these burdens.

Episode 3: Navigating your post-graduation path This final episode focuses on the challenges international students face when transitioning from study to work or further education in New Zealand. I designed this episode to begin with an overview of the employment landscape in New Zealand, then discuss specific barriers international graduates face, such as visa regulations and job market integration. The episode concludes with practical advice and strategies students can use to successfully navigate these challenges.

Scriptwriting has always been a very arduous thing for me. I start by collecting data and insights from a variety of sources, including academic research, government reports, and first-hand accounts from international students. This research helps establish the factual basis for each event and provides the background needed to support my narrative. Each episode is outlined to ensure logical flow and clarity of ideas. The outline usually follows a three-part structure: introducing the scene, exploring the theme in detail, and a conclusion that provides solutions or reflections. The last and most important thing is of course revision and improvement. After writing the first draft, I will revisit each script to improve the language, rhythm, and structure. This includes tightening the narrative, removing any redundant information, and ensuring that the content always revolves around the central theme of the episode. I also need to read the script aloud, check its flow and clarity, and make adjustments to improve the overall listening experience.

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Creating a Podcast Cover: The Design Process

I had already thought of the perfect cover for this podcast project. Because a podcast cover is often the first thing listeners notice, it plays a vital role in conveying the essence of the show. For Insight NZ: International Students Revealed, I wanted to design a cover that not only captured the spirit of the podcast but also visually showcased the diverse experiences of international students in New Zealand.

That's it !!!!

Key elements chosen for the cover:

Symbols of international student life: To represent the core audience of the podcast, I included symbols directly associated with international students, such as passports, graduation caps, and multicultural flags. These elements symbolize the journey and achievements of studying abroad, as well as the diverse backgrounds of international students.

Iconic images of New Zealand: Since the podcast is dedicated to international students in New Zealand, I included a subtle outline of a New Zealand map in the background. This provides a clear geographical context and visually anchors the podcast in its location. The use of blue tones reflects the natural landscape of New Zealand, such as a group of students standing together with full smiles, creating a warm and familiar feeling.

Use of color and contrast: To make the cover stand out, I chose a high-contrast color scheme, using bold blue and white tones. These colors not only represent the New Zealand environment, but also symbolize growth, hope, and diversity - key themes of the podcast.

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Case Study 2: The Mind Online Podcast

Mind Online Podcast delves into a variety of social and psychological issues, including the challenges of adapting to a new environment and managing mental health during cultural transitions. The podcast combines a single-host model with storytelling and academic research to make complex topics accessible and relatable to a wide audience.

Key Lessons Learned:

Storytelling for Complex Topics: The host of The Mind Online Podcast uses personal stories and case studies to illustrate broader social and psychological concepts. This method makes complex issues more relatable and easier to understand. I intend to incorporate similar techniques in my podcast by using real-life scenarios and case studies to contextualize the social challenges faced by international students.

Engaging with the Audience’s Emotions: By discussing personal coping mechanisms and identity struggles, the podcast connects with listeners on an emotional level. This approach will be particularly useful in Insight NZ when addressing sensitive topics like mental health and social isolation, ensuring that the content resonates deeply with the audience.

Research-Based Insights: The Mind Online Podcast relies heavily on academic research to support its discussions, ensuring that the content is both credible and informative. This approach aligns with my plan to use data-driven insights in every episode, providing a solid foundation for my arguments and discussions.

How These Lessons Will Be Applied:

Inspired by The Mind Online Podcast, I will combine storytelling with research-based analysis to present a balanced view of the issues. By sharing real-life stories and linking them to broader research findings, I aim to create episodes that are both engaging and informative.