Front Cover Update - 11/02/14

11/02/14

Overall Front Cover so far

I changed the gradient background as I thought this would give it too much depth. 

I added more text to the skyline along with stars between each artist/band name. I combined the layers to keep them together in line. 

I added the essential information to the left below my Masthead. 

I created my main Coverline and added a stroke around it. As Evarose are an all-girl rock band, I used the colour pink as the outline to the masthead. 

I created a bubble for my front cover. I created it by combining two circular shapes' layers and adding text to them. 

Front Cover Update: 06/02/14

06/02/14:

Today I created a gradient background for my Front Cover to give it more depth - I noticed that Kerrang! sometimes do this on their front covers. I also added in my masthead, giving it a stroke effect around the text to create an outline. I added in a red skyline and the first piece of text to it. 

Fonts - 04/02/2014

Using websites such as "dafont" and "Google fonts" , I downloaded 21 possible font types that I may use in my magazine.

Here are the fonts: 

From those fonts I selected 4 which I thought would look good as my Magazine Masthead. I then used those fonts in Photoshop on my Front cover to decide which one would look best for the magazine genre that I have decided to use. 

Airbrushing Photos - 31/01/2014

Original Photo

Airbrushed Photo.

I am using this photo for my contents page; like in most magazines, I decided to airbrush the photo on Photoshop. I used to Clone Stamp to get rid of any lines/marks on the face, brightness/contrast to whiten the whites of the eyes, hue and saturation to change the eye colour, surface blue to blur the skin and the eraser to get rid of the prominent features - on the layer I blurred - to keep them prominent and in focus.  I also brightened the background to separate the subject from the background more

Photoshoot 1

I used the photography studio as my location for the photos that may appear on my contents page; I used the backdrop, softbox light on flash and a reflector in order to get the photos that I took.

The models are two of my friends who I debriefed earlier in the week.

This is the risk assessment form that we signed as a group when using the Photography studio.

Here are the photos which I took:

This is the first photo I took - the camera flash wasn't connected to the softbox light so there was no flash when taking the photo.



Conventions, Producer and Target Audience

I plan to use the main conventions when regarding my images and my front cover. The colour palette that I have decided to use will be quite neutral – with a few bright colours – but effective nonetheless. The images would be in colour and I plan to use a main image and a few sub-images on my front cover, as most magazines use one main image with several smaller images. However, I will avoid cluttering my front cover to make it seem more professional looking – I will use coverlines and subheadings also. Certain textual elements will reinforce the genre of the magazine, along with colloquial lexis which will suit my wide audience.  For my Contents page, I will use the masthead of the magazine as the title of the page - seen in Kerrang! which my magazine is based on. I will also use images to represent the main articles - also seen in Kerrang! and also NME. As for my Double Page Spread, I will use pull quotes to indicate important quotes in the article - possibly using the pull quote as my article title. Like most magazines, I will use drop caps at the beginning of my article and anchors on any smaller images that I may use. As Evarose are a quite girly rock band, I will use a colour palette to reflect this.

If my magazine was distributed in the real world, I think the producer would be Bauer Media - Bauer Media produce both Kerrang! Magazine, along with Q – two popular music magazines. I would consider my magazine to a Kerrang! based, magazine, however with both old and new music. Kerrang! Magazine is one of the biggest selling rock magazines worldwide, with their target audience being teenagers and young adults. I have decided that, by combining newer and older music, my target audience will teenagers and above which I believe would create a good selling point -  being aimed at a large audience.  

In my survey, I found that both males and females read music magazines, so my magazine will be aimed at both genders. I will make it appeal to them by featuring both male and female artists in the magazine and on the front cover and making it a neutral-based colour scheme. As for characteristics that the target audience will have, the younger teenage and young adults will likely – as they are interested in music – will most likely socialise with friends over music, going to concerts together. I would make sure that there is coverage on new and unsigned bands, not only would it create awareness for upcoming bands, but younger audiences would be more likely to attend concerts of those bands as tickets would be affordable – usually less than £10. In addition, younger people tend to be more accepting of newer bands. Female audiences would most likely be interested in shopping, so if my magazine was to be distributed to the real world, I feel that it would be worthwhile to add in a page advertising online clothing companies – possibly with discount offers, exclusive to those who purchased the magazine. As males are stereotypically known to enjoy video games, it would be worthwhile – if my magazine was to be distributed to the real world – to add in a section of new video game reviews - again, if possible, having discount codes if the audiences were to buy the game online from a certain company.

Outlets that I believe would be interested in selling my magazine include music stores – such as HMV – and book stores – like WHSmiths who sell a variety of music magazines.  Supermarkets such as ASDA, Morrisons, and Tesco sell music magazines, therefore I believe my magazine would distribute well in those types of shops. As mentioned above, I believe Bauer Media would be interested in distributing my magazine as they distribute other music magazines, however a small percentage cover older music so I feel that my magazine would complement the company. For places such as certain areas of the USA, a digital copy of the magazine would be available to buy online.

Photoshoot Location

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 )? What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?
When in the photography studio, it is important that whenever flashlights or soft boxes are being used that wires are wrapped around the stand so that cables aren't trailing which could be a trip hazard. In addition, if it isn't possible to wrap the cable around the stand, masking tape can be used to keep the wires down. When doing outdoor shoots, traffic and pedestrians could cause risk if in a busy area. To avoid this, I will use an area that is, if possible, isolated.

Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the photos? Have you allowed for this?
When shooting outside, the weather may affect the lighting in the photos - cloudy days may make photos look dull. In addition, sunny days may cast too many shadows on the model. As the weather may be a factor that will reduce the outcome of my photos, I will check the weather forecast prior to days that I plan to shoot outdoors. In the worst case scenario, I may have to use all indoor photos.

Have you considered the background to your photos, particularly if taken outside? How will you ensure you will get the background you want?
Some photos I have decided to have a blank background to emphasise on details such as clothing and hair - this will be done with a white backdrop. On outdoor photoshoots, I will use locations that I feel would make good backgrounds in my photos - such a trees. To get my required background I will, prior to the photoshoot, go out and find areas that I could possibly use.

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?
When working in the studio, I have considered using a flash light or softbox with a flash linked up to the camera. Placing lights in the correct position will ensure an even light on the model and backdrop. When shooting outside, I may use the flash on the camera to create as even as possible light on the model - especially if it is a dull day. I will avoid taking photos near reflective objects as they will bounce the light and most likely intensify the light in certain areas of the photo. If lighting isn't completely how I'd like, I will use photoshop to get the lighting how I want it.

Do you need permission to take photos in the place/venue you have in mind?
To shoot in the photography studio, I will need permission from a member of staff to ensure the studio is free. As for outdoor areas, the areas I have in mind, I do not require permission to take photos of.

Do you need to book time in a room (eg the photography studio)?
I will need to book time in the photography studio by contacting a member of staff. Alternatively, if I have finished my work in a photography lesson, I may be able to use that time to take photos.

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 will only be an issue when shooting outdoors. I will stop this from happening by choosing an isolated area.

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 extremely reliant on my model and will need to plan at least a week - if not two - ahead of when I require my model to ensure they turn up. I will make sure that my model knows the importance of their attendance. My plan B would be to use my photography classmates as my main models.

Finally, have you thought of every eventuality…?
Regarding my photography, I have planned everything that I hope to achieve.