Evaluation

Target audience feedback

Double page construction

Double page/feature page construction-

This is the image am using in my for my feature page. I have edited the image using the levels and contrast in Photoshop. I then put the mashead design at the bottom of the page to make sure it was there to identify the magazine but making sure it was not in the way.

This is the draft of my feature page text and I have put the text into two columns of the same size. I used InDesign to construct these columns as you cannot do an accurate job in Photoshop. After doing this I dragged each column into Photoshop where I continued to create my feature page.

When I dragged the columns into Photoshop I needed to change the text colour to white and red, then positioned the text where I needed it to go. I tampered around to see where it fitted in best to the design. I followed the flat plans as well.

I also dragged the interview out of InDesign and into Photoshop with the same process. After that I added page numbers and used UrbanFonts to construct an interesting look for the left side of my feature page. I used different coloured backgrounds to make them stand out from the black background.

I then added additional images which I had editied them a little. I then put the title on the feature spread and added a quote from the article . It was quite a lot of information and design to fit on an A3 document, but with some moving about I managed to fit everything onto the page.

Here is the finished feature article...

Magazine instititions

The majority of the class worked in pairs to research different companies that produce magazines, whether they are printed or digital. These companies were Bauer, Conde Nast, IPC Media and Hearst. On the Prezi I have individually researched the company Conde Nast which is a company that produces both printed and digital magazines. One of the most popular magazines that is produce digitally is Vogue. This magazine has recently been changed from printed to digital and is commonly used on the iPads. When researching Conde Nast I found key facts about new technology and the finance of these technologies. Take a look at the Prezi to see this.

A common magazine that I have been analysing the conventions of is Q magazine which is produced by a German company called Bauer. This company owns many well known music magazine such as Kerrang! and Q. Another magazine I have been analysing is Classic Rock magazine which is produced by Future plc which manages to maintain a huge business and creates over 150 different magazines in different genres.

Which institution would my magazine best suit?

I consider my magazine to be mainstream because I have followed the majority of common conventions of a music magazine and have used many examples which I have analysed. If a magazine chose to set up my magazine brand, it would most likely be Bauer and/or Future plc. This is because Bauer produces and distributes very popular magazines and specialise in this field. Also Future plc is a major business which is British. Both magazines show mainstream conventions in their magazines and they both have a large chain of magazines and genres which my magazine would easily fit into. However I personally think that my magazine should be independent because I believe that it appeals the target audience and has the potential to go far. In addition the safe option would be to go mainstream because it follows common conventions that audiences prefer and are used to, this could be an advantage and boost the magazine further than going independently.


New technologies

There are many advantages and disadvantages to new technologies, Vogue magazines is a good example for new technology. For example the advantages for digital magazines are that they are much more modern, also it is quite sustainable because it saves paper and conserves the tree population. It also allows the audience to buy monthly issues. Another advantage is that a digital magazine does not get ruined like a printed magazine as they can be easily damaged. However the disadvantages are that each issue is expensive enough as it is and might put consumers off. In addition the yearly instalments are very expensive and costs thousands of pounds to do this. It does allow the audience to access the magazine information and exclusive information whenever they wish but it is still an awfully high amount of money to be spending for an iPad digital magazine. With high costs like these the interest and finance is likely to decline because of the outrageous costs audiences are unwilling to agree to.  K-Composite are another online digital magazine and their aim is to allow audiences to access their magazine for free and this creates a huge competition for other competitors trying to make a profit within the new technology field. This forces other companies like Conde Nast to significantly reduce the amount they charge an issue, this results in a decline in profits.

In conclusion as the digital technologies are advancing, iPads are considered the way forwards for digital magazines because in the long term they are more sustainable and even though technical problems and implications might occur, the digital technologies are advancing incredibly quickly and the magazine issues might all be free one day which will appeal to all audiences and this could also appeal to others who do not own an iPad. Or the industry could completely go the other way and printed magazine could become more popular with the public because they are cheaper and possibly safer. Here are the different companies and examples of the magazines that they produce and distribute.

Contents page construction

Contents page construction-

Here is the contents page construction, I have stated off with a black background to match the black background on the cover page. I have added the magazines masthead at the top of the magazine and added the work 'Contents' to make sure the audience know that it is a contents page.

I added my first image and started using UrbanFonts again to construct the text and heading for my contents page. I chose white and black because they are the two colours that stand out the best when together. I also started to add page numbers and the date.

I began to add more images as I was following conventions and I have a star model which I was refering to. As the theme was rock and British, what better than a British flag on the contents page to represent this. I continued to use UrbanFonts to construct more headings.

I added more Photoshop images to the contents page.














I have edited the text layout to make it look more like a rock magazine. I have also added two more outdoor images to follow conventions.












Here is the finished product...

Draft of feature article

Here is an image of my finished feature page. The image of my feature page draft is located on the feature page 

construction blog. It is a corrected version of my text that is featured on my double page spread.

The feature page was very time consuming and took quite a long time to construct and get right. I have tried to follow all the common conventions of a magazine feature page and this is the finished article.

Masthead construction

During the construction of my magazine I first had to choose a masthead for my magazine. There is no magazine without a masthead.  I chose a design of font using UrbanFonts and constructed it. I am very creative when doing activities such as this and designing a name/masthead for my magazine was quite simple. While doing this, I was trying to follow conventions of conventional music magazines, with a short and snappy masthead. This appeals to the audience as a long masthead is hard to remember, with a short 3 letter masthead it is easy to remember and looks more professional.

Here is what I used to construct the masthead.

I chose a name for the magazine and I tried out several designs, I chose the design that suited the genre of my magazine the  most. I posted my SurveyMonkey onto a social networking site to ask audiences of all ages to see what design was more accurate for the design of my magazine. Here are the choices for my masthead design.

I needed a practical masthead that suited the genre of my magazine and the target audience preferred it to the other designs. On the SurveyMonkey, I asked which masthead they preferred to see on a rock magazine and the audience voted for the design below.

Props and costume list

Props and costume list-

In order to successfully complete my photoshoots for my magazine I needed a few props and costumes.

1) Photoshoot 1-

•    For my first photoshoot I needed a model for starters. I set up the studio and changed the settings on the camera and adjusted the lamps and aperture to get the perfect lighting for the photoshoot.

•   After that I gathered costumes and I had two costume changes for my photoshoot to able myself to have a varied amount of images to us. I used two dresses, one in the style of a pop genre and another in the style of a rock genre.

•   Once I had that sorted I gathered some props. I used a Blue guitar as my magazine genre was rock. I also used a small belt for one dress, make-up and jewellery to complete the appearance of the model to get the perfect shots for my cover and feature page. I added wedge shoes to the model to give her height to make her look taller.

•   This was the major photoshoot as These were the images I was going to use on my cover page and feature spread.

2) Photoshoot 2-

•   For my second photoshoot I used a different model in order to add a variety of different images to my contents page in order to follow conventions.

•    This photoshoot was done outside and indoors. The image I selected was photographed indoors, in a room where light was brightly exposed. This helped create a brightness to the photograph. The location was quite important as the other images were photographed by a field and the contrast of colours were quite bright.

•   There was only one costume that the model needed to wear and she wore a shirt and leggings for a smart casual look.

•   No specific props were used, however jewellery was again used in the photos.

3) Photoshoot 3-

•   This photoshoot was a very different one as it required a 'Mod' / 'Patriot' as the image is linked to the genre of my magazine. Once again the model was a female, but I wanted to highlight that rock was not just for the opposite gender.

•   The costume for this photoshoot was very important as I needed to get it just right. The model wore a blue polo t-shirt, light blue denim shorts, fish-net tights and bright red Doc Martin high boots with black laces. This was the perfect image for my contents page. Also there was a second costume change where the model wore the red boots again, a denim skirt, fish-net tights and an American flag top. She also wore a long black jacket with a hood which also contributes to the look.

This was another photoshoot captured outside during daylight and I used the industrial estate as the location. I used a Cannon camera for each of the Photo- shoot as well.

Front cover construction

Construction of my front cover for my music magazine

(Genre Rock)

I started with a blank canvas on Photoshop using my flat plans as guidance and an main idea for the construction of my magazine cover

I then chose an image for my front cover and adjusted the size to fit the A4 size page. I chose this image because some of the other images were of a lower standard of quality and were unfocused. I also chose this image because it was a clear medium shot and the model is looking at the camer/audience. The model is scowling at the camera which I think represents the rock genre very well.

As the image was a studio image, it was too light and needed to become sharper to make it seem more 'Rock'. As I created my magazine in Photoshop, I changed the levels of the image to adjust the darkness of the image. This helped the image grasp a more metal rock look, which I was going for. Also it has really shown the light across her face which gives the image that extra something.

After I had constructed my masthead I applied it on my magazine cover. I tried to follow the common conventions by making the masthead take up approximately 1/8th of the cover. I chose this masthead because it really suited the genre of magazine I am creating. Also I have been researching different music magazines and the majority of them have a short and snappy masthead and this is what attracts audiences to a magazine.

After creating the masthead, the magazine needed a slogan of some sort and what better than something to do with 'Rock 'N' Roll'. I made it so that it would fit the length of the masthead. I think it suits the masthead very well. I had some inspiration from a few other rock genre magazine cover which helped me create this.

After completing the masthead and slogan, I needed to fill additional space to make it look like a music magazine. To do this I needed sub-headings and that is what I did. I created little headings about pop and rock bands/artists that are quite popular at the moment and wrote little comments about them, like most magazines do. I constructed these using the UrbanFonts website. This helped personalize my magazine in my own style and allowed me to expand on my design.

When I finished that, I created the models name using UrbanFonts again. This time I used a different font for her name to make it stand out like most music magazines do, and I have followed this. Once that was finished I created a stamp in a separate Photoshop document and used brushes to put it together. I changed the colour to a white background to make sure it stood out on the harsh black and red background.

After that I needed to fill more space and I created extra bits of text related to the genre of the magazine and I added more titles and headings. Also I added a barcode to make the magazine look more professional and like a real branded magazine.

I created another stamp informing the audience that it is the first magazine, I created the stamp again in Photoshop, but warped it this time because the image of the flag did not fit on the stamp without it being warped. The Union Jack gave the magazine stamp a sort of patriotic theme which helps give the magazine a rock theme and this was aimed at the target audience which appeals to them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the finished product. I have made a few minor changes to the layout and added a few more comments to the headings and I have added in some crucial details to make the magazine more conventional. I also added an overlay of a vintage rock type of brush from Photoshop and this made the magazine cover look more like its genre. Personally I thought it was a nice touch and really completed the who magazine cover.

Technology blog

Technology Blog-

 

Throughout the course of making my magazine cover, contents and feature pages I have had to use different technologies in order to complete these tasks. I have adapted my skills using Photoshop and with the majority of my photos I have edited them in Photoshop and changed the levels of colour and I have liquefied the images too. I already had a very good knowledge of Photoshop but I did learn some new skills. I have advanced my skills using a photography camera and using the studio. With this, I have also learnt how to set up the studio and change the studio lamps and the aperture.

The main task required me to use the internet (Safari and Firefox) for research and resources. By doing this I have found new websites to use in the future for further editing or any other tasks similar to this one.
 
During the construction of the magazine I have learnt how to use a new programme called InDesign. I have mainly used it to construct my double page spread, I used it to create columns for my text which are the same length. By doing this I have a more professional look on my magazine and I have learnt new skill that I can use in the future. This was quite an complicated application to use which took some time getting used to.
 
In order to prevent any incorrect spelling I have created drafts of my magazine by using a Word document and Pages. I already know how to use these different programmes, however it always helps to continue using them as they were very useful. 

Peter Gehrke

Peter Gehrke-

Peter Gehrke is a sweedish photographer who creates sensual photography with a great deal of presence.

His tries out different methods with light and shadow captures, he tends to create quite spontaneous images and has already attracted a number of big international clients such as H&M, Diesel and many more. I really like his work as he has a range of images in his portfolio expressing different ideas and genres. I like his work because the lighting and style of the images he produces really represents magazine cover images. The style of his images have inspired me to produce my own in this style and even though these are not linked to the Rock genre I am doing for my magazine, it helps give ideas for studio, indoors and outdoor images.

This is the image that looks like a magazine cover image and this is what has in a way inspired me with my photoshoot. This is more of a pop image not Rock but I have used props in mine. However the lighting in this photo is very good and that is what I like about this image.

This is another image produced by Peter Gehrke and it is quite a unique image. It is not directly linked to music photography, however it has given me many ideas about producing my own outdoor images. I just like the fact that the camera is behind plants and the focus is on the male and the plants are blurred out.

What I like about this image is the clothes that she is wearing. The jacket that the model is wearing looks like something you would possibly see in a rock magazine or any music magazine. It looks quite vintage and old fashioned, maybe the 80s look. Although it has a modern touch to it which is why I really like it. This has also inspired me to go with really different and unique outfits in my photoshoots.

Original images from the photoshoots

From the very first photoshoot I organised these were the original images I used in constructing my work. But first here are some images of me actually taking the images.

These two images show that I have organised my own photo-shoot and used a studio where I have taken my own images.

This is the original image used for my cover page.

I have used this image in my double page spread but I have edited it using Photoshop. This is the unedited version of the image.

This is the original image I have used also in my double page spread.

I have used these next image in my contents page.

This is not a main image, but I have used it in my contents page to add colour and a different style.

This is one of my favourite images. I have used this in my contents page to help give it a more dramatic look and add more outdoor images and add a range of different images.

This is also used in the contents page and is an image of Glastonbury. I have used this image because it allows the contents page to follow conventions and have a range of different images and doesn't look the same as other images.

Sean Freeman and Rankin

Sean Freeman-

Photographer.

Sean Freeman is an amazing photographer and artist who inspires me. He has done many pieces of work including work for magazine, CD and DVD covers. He does many different types of images and he specialises in editing photos in Photoshop. He designed the cover for 'The girl with the dragon tattoo' and used not only his skill of taking amazing images, but also he created a dragon made out of smoke brushes on Photoshop. I really like his work because he is very different and unique which I think is always the best way to be. Sean has photographed many different celebrities and has edited magazines for different companies. I have researched and studied Sean Freeman for a few years and he ranges in a range of different images and illustration in separate genres.

Based in East London, Sean has created / creates award winning typographic treatments and illustrations for a varied range of clients globally from advertising to music, editorial and publishing; with his work being featured in numerous books and magazines. His work is known to be as powerful as it is unique, a dynamic fusion between elements. I really like his work because it gives me an idea of how to edit texts and names I have involved in my work. He has a very unique way of editing work and I have great ideas now of how to edit my own images and text. Even if it is not as edited as his own work.

Here are some of his pieces:

These images do not really represent music photography, however these images are brilliant as they provide inspirational ideas and how to design different features such as a masthead for a music magazine. Also they also provide different styles of how to create different features, for many genres of music magazine. This adds an awesome effect to any magazine.

Rankin-

Photographer.

Rankin made his name in publishing, founding the seminal monthly magazine Dazed & Confused with Jefferson Hack in 1992. It provided a platform for innovation for emerging stylists, designers, photographers and writers which gave them a chance to get their images published in the magazine. The magazine was known for the images and ideas of a cult status, forming and moulding trends, and bringing some of the brightest lights in fashion. Now he is a very well known photographer around the globe. He arranges many photoshoots involving famous celebrities and specialises in photographing music sensations. Rankin has photographed all different types of people from new bands to the Royal family, he is a very popular photographer who is very well known in this industry. Here are some of the images he has produced:

This image is a personal favourite because the lighting of this image is amazing and really highlights the true genre of this image. I love how the tattoos stand out so well because of the lighting. The pose is quite good too and this is an amazing studio image produced by Rankin.

 I really like these two images that he has produced as well. The image on the right was used as a cover image for Q magazine recently and it is a very nice image and works well with the genre of the magazine. Also it too appeals to the target audience they are aiming for. In terms of Mise-en-scene I really love the lighting in both images, especially the left image. As the background is black the colours really stand out and the light brightens the woman’s face and the background remains dark. It is just a very good studio image. Theorist Laura Mulvey can be applied here as both star vehicles are women and the image of Adele on the left supports her theory because she is looking seductively at the camera/audience which could represent her as being an "object of desire", according to Laura Mulvey (1973).