Music magazine: Second set of photographs.

Here is a gif to show most of my second set of photographs for my music magazine. The pictures displayed below this are those that i did not include in the gif, as they are the images that i will use for my contents page, and double page spread. When i first started to take the pictures, i realised i had the same problem that i had when i took my first set of photographs. The light was reflecting off of the ukelele, and often, there was too much light reflected onto my models face, and so to eliminate the problem i turned one of the lights i was using off, and moved the other away slightly, which solved the problem. I took a range of photographs to ensure that i had many to use if my ideas for my final pages changed, and i needed images that were still usable. When taking these images, i thought about my target audience more, thinking about what a 13-16 year old girl, or boy might wear, and so i dressed my model in a Reading Festival tshirt, and a ripped, bleach denim skirt, as well as her various bands for festivals she had attended.

This is the image that i have chosen to use on my contents page. When looking at my contents page research, it is clear to see that images on the contents page are often of only 3/4 of the models body, ending at around their waist, and this was something i took into consideration when i took my photographs. I think that this image is suitable for my contents page as it follows the same guidelines as other images that i have evaluated. It is a simple image, and the model has a small smile on her face, which is very similar to an image i have seen before.

The image on the top was the photograph that i originally planned to have on my double page spread, but after editing it, i decided that the image on the right would work much better. Both use the instrument in a fairly creative way, while the model has a fairly black expression on her face, with her shirt in plain view. After evaluating other magazines, i realised that they usually have an image of their model from their waist up, which they place around the middle of the page.

I like this image as it is quite playful compared to the others. On most magazines double spread pages, there is a full length image of the model, which is usually quirky in one way or another. This image shows her entire outfit, which i think my target audience would identify with, as much of it would be typical clothing for themselves. Despite the photograph seeming a little posed, it still seems relaxed, which is something i wanted to show through my photographs, as it reflects my artists personality.

This is one of my favourite photographs, as i feel it really shows what i was aiming for when i first started thinking about my photographs. I wanted a cheeky image of someone having fun, with an expression that you might not normally see with most artists in a magazine, as often they are reserved. I think that this image would appeal to my target audience as it shows someone with a bubbly personality who is not much older than themselves, and so they could relate to them as well.

Music magazine: First set of photographs.

After looking at my poses research, i took my first set of photographs for my music magazine. My model used a prop, just like in the previous photos of Marina and Ellie on YOU and FACTORY magazine. I have made a video to show them in a clear and easy way, and i will write my comments to each of the photos underneath.

1. Overall i like this photo, as i think it is quite simple, but effective. It gives a calming effect, as the model is smiling slightly while sitting cross legged with her hands on her lap. Her hair and dress suit my magazines theme, which is for mostly indie and alternative music. The lighting is very even though, and so if i was to use an image like this, i would have to consider that and see how light effects my photograph.
2. This photo has a much more excited and fun feel, as the model has a comical face, as she appears to be screaming. The ukelele has been used in a similar way to Marina on the front cover of FACTORY, which i evaluated earlier. Her nail varnish creates a link to her hair, which gives a very indie-punk feel, while the instrument is in clear view. Again, the light has reflected off of the ukelele, and so i would have to edit  that out if i was to use this image.
3. While this photograph is similar to the previous one, as the ukelele is plain view and partially covers the models face. In contrast to the previous image, the models face has a much calmer face, with a slight smile, and so the photo seems to give off a playful feel. The light is reflecting off of the ukelele though, creating a glare, and so if i was to use this image, i would have to edit it out.
4. This image could be used for the double page spread, but not the front cover, as you can't see the models face. Although it gives off a playful feel which is what i wanted, without the models face visible, you cannot tell who the image is of. Taking everything else into consideration, i quite like this image as the stance is quite neutral, except for the arm holiding up the ukelele. As the light is very even, i could play around with my other photographs in an attempt to create more shadows.
5. I would not consider using this image for my music magazine as the smile is too forced, and so the photo does not seem genuine. When taking this photograph, i could have had the model looking down at her instrument, as though she is about to play it, which would have provided a more personal photograph, which would appeal to the reader.
6. Overall i like this image, as the model has a genuine expression on her face. I like the pose too, as the model is pretending to balance the ukelele on her finger, unfortunately, the light is reflecting off of it. There are a few shadows on the models neck and body, mostly, creating a different look to the previous images.
7. This image follows the same sort of pose as my first photograph, as the model is sitting down in quite a neutral position. Her face is plain, with a slight smile, as she holds her instrument on her lap, so that it goes towards her neck. The whole photograph is very symmetrical, which is a look i like, and so i may use an image like this on my contents page.
8. This photograph follows a similar pose as my second photograph, as the model has a comical face again, as she sticks her tongue out, while holding her ukelele on her shoulder. Although i feel i won't use this image on my music magazine at all, it helped me to evaluate my other images, and realise what worked and what didn't.
9. Although this image gives a calm and relaxed feel, i feel as though the models face may be too plain, and could be livened up with even a little smile, to create a sort of mischevious feel. The pose itself is quite symmetrical as well, which is something i would like to use in my other photographs.
10. This photograph is quite quirky, as the model appears to be thinking, while scratching her head with her ukelele. Her left hand disappears behind her, which is something i would have to address if i was to use an image similar to this, or reshoot this one. Overall, it is not an image i would use on my front cover, but i could possibly use one like this on my double page spread.
11. Following a pose similar to that used in images 2 and 8, this image creates a fun and quirky atmosphere, as the model is sticking out her tongue again, while pretending to listen to her instrument, as though it is a phone. Her body is quite neutral, apart from her right side. This is an image i could use for the double page spread, as it would create a quirky and fun atmosphere, which is something that i would like to ensure is followed throughout my music magazine.

After evaluating all of my first photographs i have decided to use image 5 as my front cover image, but take a second lot of photographs to see if they could be used instead. Furthermore, hopefully i will take a photograph in my second photoshoot that could be used for the contents or the double page spread.

Second set of photographs.

I like that this photo is a close up of all of the students, but their faces are still hidden, mostly. They are all very well lit as the image was taken outside, so it's clear. Their facial expressions cannot be seen particularly well, which was one of the points that i addressed earlier when i said that i wanted the faces to be visible in my photo. This image could not be used on my front cover as it does not look particularly professional. When taking a few more pictures, i tried to focus on capturing the students with their faces showing. In addition, i wanted to have more of a background in the picture, which i did not address when taking this photo.

This photo addresses all of the points that i have looked at. It has more of a background, and it also shows the students faces. It focuses on them studying with fairly neutral expressions, and they can all be seen clearly due to the lighting. It looks similar to the last photo i took in my first set of photographs, which is good because that was a photo that i thought with a little editing could be suitable for my front cover. This is the photo that i have selected to be used on the front cover of my school magazine. I will edit the magazine's logo onto it, along with other features further on, but first i will manipulate this photo in Photoshop.

First set of photographs.

After researching various magazine covers and contents pages, i have taken a few pictures of my own that i will analyse and comment on. As my school magazine is aimed at an all girls secondary school, i have used three fellow students as my models.

I like that this picture is a close up of the students working, but the faces are almost completely hidden, mostly by their hair. They are all also quite close to each other, which makes it look quite uncomfortable. There could be more of a background, as there is only a small patch of grass and part of a wooden bench. Overall, this was a good practice shot, but it could not be used on my actual magazine. 

This image is similar to the first shot i took, in the sense that is quite close up with very little background. The faces are a little more visible due to the faces being tilted up slightly, but they are mostly covered by hair again. The background is the same, with only a little grass and a part of the wooden bench visible. To conclude, although this is an improvement when compared to the previous image, it is still not acceptable to be used on my school magazine.

This picture is a slight improvement from the previous image as there is more of a background. You can also see the faces of the students, and more of the work that they are looking at. Although they are still looking down, their faces are mostly still visible. The picture seems to be more clear than the previous image as more space has been used. In addition, the expressions on their faces are either neutral or quite happy, which would be the desired look i would want in my final photo.