Editing my images: Front cover

In order for my images to fit the house style of my magazine, they needed to follow a certain colour pallet; Black, white and red. To ensure this, I took some of the photographs from my shoot, and tried my hand at editing them in photoshop. I converted the images into black and white, then created a new layer on each in which I selected the red highlights of the photos and brought them forward. I also corrected blemishes, and used the burn tool to enhance the shadows.

Front cover photoshoot

For my front cover's central image, I set my model up against a plain wall, in an attempt to mimic ahome studio effect. I tried out various poses for the model. Here are a few of the results;

Preparing for the photo shoot: Possible locations

It would be ideal to set my photo shoot in two different locations. One location I am quite keen to shoot at, most likely for the double page spread and the contents page is in a forest. The ideal time to do the shoot would be in the early evening- that way I can get some good shots lighted by the sunset. This quality added to the photos could possibly hold the artistic quality that I want in my magazine.

Another location I'm quite keen on is a slightly more urban scenery. Taking pictures up against a wall in a busy part of town could work well. I would be keen to use this idea to take candid/naturalistic photos of various models. For example, I could set up the idea that a group of people who are talking naturally are taking a break from band rehearsals, simply by placing some instruments and notebooks around them.

The one other location I would like to use for my photo shoot is a set up temporary home studio. Through doing my research of other magazines in this area of the market, I have found that almost all of them use a lone model standing against a (usually) white background for their central image on the front cover. 

Preparing for my photoshoot: Costumes and props

 For my photoshoot, I want to use clothes that reflect the indie scene. This typically consists of things like plaid shirts, skinny jeans, beanie hats etc. For this reason, these are the items of clothing I opted for in the photoshoot for the central image of my front cover.
I also chose to include my guitar as a prop, as this is a music magazine. Since I've chosen to use the idea of other indie magazines and use a mid close up shot, I made sure that you could at least still see the fret board of the guitar to give more connotations of what type of magazine it is.

Designing my Masthead

For this design idea, I tried to play on the idea of using a read, black and white colour scheme. Although this colour usage complies with my required colour scheme, I feel that when combined in this way, the red and the black connote too much of an angry, violent tone for the magazine. In order to connote a more calm, friendly, welcoming atmosphere for the magazine I think that using just one colour would be the direction to go in, as opposed to this.

         This idea for a masthead is something that I much prefer for my magazine's style. The white colour would stand out above the central image that would be taking up the majority of the page. It's a colour connotes a calm vibe for the magazine, representing the genre, magazine and followers of each as more friendly, calm people.

This is another rather simplistic idea. The simplicity connotes that the genre as a whole that is covered is stripped back to a minimum, compared to genres like pop, techno etc. Because of the colouring, it would also stand out above the central image well.

Preparing for the photo shoot: Potential models

Emily:

She is 16, and so right at the start of my target audience range. I see her regularly which would make arranging the photo shoot no problem at all, and she can carry the indie style required for my magazine's genre. She represents the target audience, and despite her age looks old enough to let the older readers continue relating and not be put off by a childish image anchored to the magazine's name. She also plays multiple instruments, meaning not only could she be the model, but she could easily provide an interview for the article.

Callan:

He is also 16, and is another person who I could easily arrange a photo shoot with. He has a keen interest in this genre of music and represents the stereotypical image associated with this genre of music., which would make costumes an easy task. He also plays multiple instruments which could lead to him being the focus of my double page spread article.

Shannon:

She is 19, and so she represents the average age of the readers- right in the middle of the target range. I see her daily, so preparing a shoot would be no trouble. When dressed and made up in the type of clothing and make up typical of the type of person reading the magazine, she does have the certain indie look about her, meaning she represents the audience not only in age, but in image too.

Preparing for the photoshoot: shots and angles

One element that I need to focus on and perfect to ensure a successful magazine is the photography used. I intend to find a model who will fit the stereotypical look that represents the genre of the magazine. I will then set up a photo shoot with said model that reflects the general mood of the genre- deep and artsy. During this shoot I intend to experiment with many different camera shots and angles, for example; mid close ups, medium shots, long shots, extreme long shots, and very low angle shots. 

Mock up double page spread

Contents page mock up

Front cover mock up

Style Sheet

My pitch and audience feedback

Through completing my market research via my pitch, I have established many things about what is expected from my magazine.

In terms of the colour pallet, my target audience have agreed with my initial idea of using black and white, with very minimal traces of colours- maybe just read to stand above the otherwise bleak and basic scheme. They also agreed that the idea of adding a more artsy/photographic element to the magazine would help to cater for the wants and needs of the more creative minds among the audience. They believe it will also help to make the magazine stand out from the others on sale, due to it's unique, creative quality.

The suggested names that really stood out as contenders for the magazine were; 'Sell Out', 'Radio Muse', and 'UnderPlay'.

Unmentioned features that were suggested for me to include in the contents of the magazine were all key features expected for a music magazine; Up and coming artists, festival and gig lists and guides, advertising for new singles and albums from the genre that the magazine focuses on.

In terms of which bands to include, the idea presented of mixing both well known bands of the genre, and unknown bands and artists of smaller record labels, or perhaps completely unsigned would be better, as it would better suit the listening ideals of those who would be reading the magazine.

The recommended price for this magazine was no more than £2-3.

Time Management

Currently, I am working at the stage that I intended to be working at in week 4- completing mock ups, style sheets and beginning to organise for my photoshoots. The main reason I think I've fallen behind is due to a lack of extra work done outside of the lessons, and technical issues. In the following few days, I intend to catch up on the things I am meant to have done by now, including finishing my style sheet and mock ups, and posting my pitch and research.

Research and planning: analysis of double page spreads

Research and planning- analysis of magazine contents pages