November

Recce

the ‘recce’

 

1.    Are there any potential hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where your photo shoot will take place (trailing cables/traffic/other objects )?

Traffic may be a potential hazard as my photo-shoot destination requires driving to get there.

2.    What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?

In order to minimise the risk of traffic I will listen to the radio for traffic updates and ensure the roads are safe to drive on in order to get to the desired destination.

3.    Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this?

The time of day will affect the outcome of my photos hence why I intend to take them early in the day when it is light enough however not too early as mornings are becoming darker with the clocks recently going back.

4.    Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want?

I wish to have an autumnal theme in the background of my photos, I am going to a wooded area in order to achieve this goal.

5.    Have you considered lighting? What about the ‘problems’ of natural lighting, either outside, or streaming through a window? Will you need to use a flash? Have you considered reflective objects that might spoil the effect?

Natural lighting may not highlight my subjects face as I so wish it to however I will be outdoors and any superficial lighting will be hard to get access on and handle outdoors.

6.    Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind?

The place I am taking my photos is open for public use and has nothing to state that you can’t take photos there, therefore I will not need to request for permission to do so.

7.    Do you need to book time in a room (eg the photography studio at Shiney)?

As well as an outdoor location I may also need use of a photography studio or anywhere with a blank backdrop.

8.    Are other people/crowds likely to be an issue for you? What have you done to ensure that it will not spoil the effect?

Crowds may be an issue around my outdoor location, however I wish to take photos in the wooded area which isn’t particularly popular among the public.

9.    Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends’ equipment/models? How have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time? Plan B?

I am reliant on my model and equipment such as my camera. I have ensured my model can make it on a specific date I have planned to take the photos. If my model can’t make it on the day I have a back up model. I will also take two cameras in case one does not work on the day.

10. Finally, have you thought of every eventuality…?

I believe I have considered every eventuality including the weather, I have even researched to see if there are any events on around the area to ensure traffic isn’t an issue. 

Target Audience Profiles

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The previous presentation shows who I consider to be my target audience. Below their pictures are some interests and preferences in order to aid me when deciding what to include in my magazine. For example from my profiles I know if my  audience have jobs therefore income to buy my magazine. I also know their music interests therefore who they would be interested in to appear on the cover page. 

Fonts

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Above are some of the fonts I am considering for the masthead on my cover page of the magazine. I want one that will stand out but look distorted to reflect the distorted music the artists that feature in my magazine produce. I like the font 'Kandinsky'(second down, left) as it is bold but more creative than your standard bold print, setting my magazine out from the crowd. 

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The above texts are examples of fonts i might use for my main cover line, i like the vintage almost 1920's look some of them obtain. This may attract an older more mature audience i think my magazine is more suited to. However with films like The Great Gatsby being recent releases in the world of film the text may be very familiar to the younger generation henceforth might appeal to a variety of age groups. 

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I think this font fits in with the name of my magazine therefore would be ideal to place under the masthead and work as a strap line. This may attract people with a flair for creativity, which my survey showed, some of my target audience do as they enjoy activities such as drawing etc.

Colour Scheme

My base color scheme for my magazine will be red white and black. Black and white may attract a simple relaxed and perhaps older audience however the red will attract those with more lively personalities, and perhaps a younger audience. In terms of practicality the colors are easy to work with also. In my color scheme reel I have also included my autumnal theme which fits in with the red, I also really like the houndstooth print and I feel as if this will fit in very well with my magazine as it incorporates the black and white color scheme and is an up to date trend for autumn season, making my magazine contemporary and appealing to females, who I know are my primary target audience. The other textures and patterns might be good to include as they feel distorted which is almost reflective of the distorted music the artists in my magazine produce. Black and white are quite simplistic colors which are reflective of the basic almost chilled indie music my magazine issues. The complimentary red color could be viewed as a reflection of the vibrant personalities in music that my magazine will showcase and perhaps interview. The two colors combined highlight the idea of something quite ordinary and familiar (black and white&rock) with a twist (red&indie). 

Photoshoot Planning

Media Production

Photo shoot planning document

What emotional impact do you want your photography do have upon the reader? How?

I want the reader to be intrigued by the images, as the artist will be new therefore an intriguing image will make the reader want to know more therefore know more about the artist. The images will also feel relaxed as an autumnal background should feel familiar therefore the reader will be in a familiar environment so will feel more relaxed and more likely to want to read the full article.

What personnel do you need? Who are you going to photograph?

I am going to photograph a friend who I have known for a long time therefore I will feel more comfortable around her and not feel awkward asking to take close ups etc. I may need assisting when taking my cover page dominant image as I am going to try experimenting with lighting other than natural.

What props will you need?

I will use either a guitar or sheets of lyrics as a prop. A guitar may be hard to get on location therefore sheets of lyrics be more practical. I have access to both so I will just need to decide on the day of shooting if not before.

How are you going to emphasise colour?

I will emphasise the red colour in the photo by enhancing the paleness of my models skin and the dark makeup she will be wearing. The white clothes she will wear will also be enhanced to contrast this further.

Have you briefed your personnel/models?

I have briefed my model and she knows what is necessary in the shoot. We are yet to make arrangements on costume ect. but I will discuss this in the next couple of days.

What lighting will you need? Any other equipment?

I will use natural lighting as we are on a location where walking is required and I do not have the professional equipment to do otherwise. However for my dominant front cover image I may try and find access to a studio in order to use 3 point or high key lighting to put emphasis on my models face.

Where will you shoot? Will you need a backdrop?

We will shoot in both a studio (or failing that somewhere with a blank backdrop) and in a wooded area (preferable Durham Riverside). This will appeal to a wider audience as the wooded area will be unknown/unrecognisable therefore it will be a universal image. The white backdrop in the studio will have the same effect. The autumnal leaves will be a familiar sight to the audience therefore they feel comfortable with the magazine and almost as if that itself is familiar, attracting new readers.  

Make-up? Costume?

I will use dark makeup in order to contrast with the paleness of my model. I will try and compliment the magazines colour scheme of red white and black. (Red with my models hair/ red leaves, black with black clothing and dark makeup, white with the pale skin of my model and the white background in my front cover dominant image). I will create an indie look whether this be skinny jeans and a top or a dress with tights and biker boots, this is yet to be confirmed with my model.

Codes and Conventions

In class today we listed codes and conventions of magazines according to a specific genre. This will help when creating my own magazine as it is a combination of ideas within a group therefore I will be able to apply a variety of ideas when designing my pages. 

Image Research

I researched into images typically used on the front cover, contents page and double page spread in order to familiarize myself with the codes and conventions used. It also gave me inspiration as to what image and facial expressions to use when taking my own images. 

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I like the idea of a plain background for my dominant image on the cover page however I would like to inject color onto my double page spread dominant image. This is where my autumnal theme will come in as I want to place leaves behind my image of the model, whether this be done naturally or photoshopped. This will also conform to my color scheme of red white and black. I will use several images on my contents page, they will range from gig shots to modeled photoshoots, this will attract a range of readers, from those who prefer live action to those who would rather read backstage gossip. 

Sub Genre Research

Location Scout

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When i first thought of introducing an autumnal theme to my magazine images i immediately thought of Durham. I used this as a location for a photography project in school and the leaves looked beautiful and vibrant and i think this will have a contrasting effect on the white pages and the paleness of my models skin combined with dark makeup. It again conforms to my color scheme of red white and black, even if this is subtle. 

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The location also fits in with the genre of music my magazine showcases as indie music is unique and 'quirky' as is my location. It also goes against stereotypical music magazine convention as it is a natural setting as supposed to industrial brick walls or studio shots. This is as gain reflective of the music's uniqueness. 

Preliminary Flat Plans

These are my college magazine flat plans, we used them as a base so we had an idea of the layout therefore the images and fonts that we wanted to use. Flat plans are an essential when making magazines and I will definitely use them when it comes to making my own magazine. 

Proposal Form

Proposal Form

Describe your idea for the brief: My magazine is going to be made up of a front cover, content page and a double page spread featuring a solo artist from the indie rock genre on the cover and various bands inside. I am going to call the magazine The Wire. I want to keep the content page plain and include an editor’s note as I always think it is good for the audience to be in contact in everyway with the magazine. The left side of my double page spread will consist of the interview with the artist, the right hand side will be donated solely to the image.

Genre/ sub genre: list similar texts which have inspired your thoughts My magazine will focus on the indie rock genre, this idea was inspired by magazines such as Q and NME. I like NME’s colour scheme and layout along with the idea that they replicate a vibrant colour within the image in the masthead which proves that the magazine is so well-known they do not need to always stick to the colour scheme

Target audience: gender/ age/ characteristics/ behaviour My main target audience is females, aged between 17-25 who have an interest not only in music, but the music industry. They have a laid back attitude therefore enjoy a lot of reading. The photo of the female model will not only attempt to attract female readers that will relate to the image but also males as this conforms to Laura Mulvey’s Male Gaze Theory.

Major conventions: I will use a bold font that will not only reflect my magazine’s theme but stand out and so that my magazine will be instantly recognisable. I will add depth to my magazine cover so it stands out from others but still looks organised and quirky in order to reflect the quirkiness the indie rock music genre provides. The colour scheme will consist of black, white and a vibrant colour, depending on the dominant image I select, this will give it an old school effect with a modern twist appealing to a wider range audience. Sub images will also be featured on the cover page but not too many that the page feels to busy. All essential information will also be included.

Conventions I may subvert/ change/ not use As supposed to a medium shot which are often used in music magazines, in order to expose costume therefore confirming the genre, I will use a medium close up to put emphasis on the emotion of my model.

Original images: what/ where/ what I will use original images of my model, they will be taken against a blank screen and the other images will be outdoors against autumn scenery, I will include props such as a guitar. I will also include images I have taken from gigs and other images taken in my photography lessons.

Potential difficulties/ Plan B: If the weather is not right for my photos to be taken outdoors i will take all my photos against a blank screen and use photoshop to make it have an autumnal theme.

Feedback

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I believe to improve my magazine or create a better magazine in the future there should be a clarified colour scheme that links in with the theme of the magazine as suggested by my peers. The price was also not included on the front cover which is essential information needed in my magazine. Another reoccuring comment in the feedback given was about the surrounding images which I think I will have to give a lot of consideration when putting together my magazine, however i may subvert usual magazine conventions by removing other images to put focus purely on my dominant image. 

Camera Practice

The following shots demonstrates my knowledge of camera angles. We weren't able to experiment with lighting as the photos were took within college however i have included other images below in order to show my understanding of the different lighting techniques used.  

Shot 1: Extreme close up

Shot 2: Close up 

Shot 3: Medium shot

Shot 4: Medium long shot

Shot 4: Low angle

Shot 5: High angle
Shot 6: Long shot
Shot 7: Birds eye view

All these shots have different effects on the viewer, for example a low angle shot could make the reader feel almost intimidated by the subject in the shot as it looks as though they are positioned higher than the reader. These effects will be something i consider when taking photos for my own cover and contents page. I believe a medium shot will be appropriate for my cover page as the audience will not only identify with the facial expression of my model but also catch a glimpse of her clothing therefore she will become a more identifiable and perhaps relatable figure for the audience. 


Lighting

Low Key

High Key

3 Point Lighting

Chiaroscuro Lighting

Natural Lighting

Ambient Lighting

Artificial Lighting

Backlighting

I like the idea of using artificial lighting for my cover page photo as I would like to use a close up and i feel artificial lighting would highlight the features of my model's face and bring out the paler tones of her skin fitting in with the colour scheme of white black (highlighted with my models dark eye makeup) and red (highlighted with my models red hair. I think it would be good to use ambient lighting on my double page spread as it will fit in with the autumnal look I am hoping to achieve. 

College Magazine

Institution Research

I used PowToon in order to display my research into magazine institutions, hope you enjoy it!



I would choose to publish my magazine with IPC Media as they publish NME which is very similar to the type of magazine I wish to produce therefore they would have a knowledge on how to market it to the correct audience. NME would also not be competition anymore but rather partnered with my magazine making it less of a threat when it comes to selling.

Flat Plans

Competitors

The following presentation shows who I believe to be my top competitors when publishing my magazine. I have summarised roughly what I will do in order to compete with them and hopefully attract their audience into buying my magazine instead. This is also loosely based on my target survey. I have  considered the responses from my surveys in order to create a more defined plan as to what is necessary in order to attract readers. 

Reader Profile

This is my reader profile i created using photoshop which shows my collective results i yielded through survey monkey. My survey showed that more females would buy my magazine than males and 75% would be aged between 15-18. They prefer indie and rock music and use youtube as their search engine to find it. Facebook and twitter were there most used social networks and they enjoy a range of films such as Pulp Fiction and 'The Cornetto Trilogy' which includes Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and The Worlds End. I added images which also show the results of my survey but make it more appealing to look at. I will use all the information gathered to decide what type of content to include when designing my own magazine. When i researched reader profiles and the sort of content i should include i found NME to be a great example therefore once again took inspiration from them:

NME's reader profile shows that the median age of readers is 23, this is slightly older than the age result that came back from my survey therefore I would like my magazine to be appealing to ages ranging between 17-25 in particular. 35% of NME's readers are students which I think is really important to note as it is easier to establish which advertisements to include. In their reader profile NME also include a quote saying how the reader feels like they can really connect with the journalist, I think this is really important to include as a connection between reader and writer is one of the most valued ideals of a magazine. 

October Plan