Editing Images

I want to continue the conventional way of editing images in alternative music magazines, draining the flesh colours from the models and making the overall appearance of the photos to be drained, pale, neutral and pastel. In the same way in which I editing my front cover main photo. 

In order to achieve this conventional neutral and dull 'look' of the pictures, I used Photoshop's tools such as colour balance, exposure, brightness, saturation  lightness and exposure to gain the correct colouring of the photographs. 

Beginning My Contents Page

I have started to create my contents page, and as a starting point I started to plan and make the layout of the page. This is the process so far. 

First I typed the title on the top left hand side of this page, and the title 'contents on the right hand side. I wanted to make the typography font colour 'sleek' and professional looking as featured in   almost all alternative music magazines, therefore I have made the main colours black and dark grey. 

I then created a section where interactive information such as my magazines social networking sites; twitter, facebook and myspace. And also the magazines official website.A phone scan code is also placed in this section so that readers can access exclusive features with their phone.I have also decided to use red typography to highlight important information on this page, it also links back to the red 'brand' colour associated with Interzone music magazine.I then inserted the title on the left hand corner and the title 'contents' on the top right. I also used grey rectangle shapes to create and plan the layout of my four part grid where photographs will go. I also placed a larger grey box where the cover story photograph will be, this box is placed in the 'featured' column of this contents page. 

Next I dragged a number of lines from the rulers on Photoshop to make sure my contents page will be in line. I also added the subheading 'featured' in red typography on the right hand column of this contents page. This is wear all the exclusive sections and information in my magazine will be mentioned.

I have also selected a photograph from my double page spread photo shoot of my created band being interviewed. This gives insight of what is featured in this cover story and engages the reader to read the article. 

Chosen Images

First Photograph chosen from first contents page shoot

These images will be edited and featured on my contents pages' four part grid layout of photographs.

Second Photograph chosen from first contents page shoot

Photograph chosen from second contents page shoot

Photograph Chosen from third contents page shoot

Contents Page Photo Shoots - Contact Sheets

Final Contents Page Photo Shoot

I have just taken the last photo shoot of two models who feature as a band on my contents page, the photographs were inspired by that of an alternative band called 'The Drums'. The models I decided to use for this photo shoot include David, aged 16, and Shah, aged 16, I thought that the contrasting appearance of the two boys created an interesting 'look' to the band. The dress code they were wearing was 'casual blue' to connote that they belong to the same band. They also posed in a casual body language to suggest that they both have a carefree outlook on life and the music industry and therefore showing that they have the same attitudes and interests. I feel that this photo shoot, like the others, was successful. 

I will soon be uploading a full contact sheet of the photographs I have taken today as well as my previous content page photo shoots.

Starting Contents Page Photo Shoot

Josie Hearn- Model for contents page
music artist (Nadine Coopen).

I am just about to begin my content page photo shoot, the model will be my friend Josephine Hearn. 

Starting Second Contents Page Photo Shoot

Jess Harman-Smith- model
for contents page.

I will now be taking a photo shoot of a Jessica who will be
modelling musical equipment and gadgets which will be
included in a competition in Interzone Music magazine.

Fourth Contents Page Photo Plans and Ideas

For this fourth photograph for my four part grid on my contents page I want to use a photograph which look like it belongs in an alternative music magazine by using a speaker and headphones as props for my model. I have been inspired by this photograph, left, of Noel Gallagher leaning against a speaker. This photograph was featured both on the front cover and contents page of Q magazine's November 2012 issue. I will therefore create a similar image to this using the same type of composition. The model  I will be using is my younger sister Jessica as I feel she has a young face alternative look. She have an alternative dress code and will be wearing heavy make-up as this is often a convention in female alternative 'look'. She will not, however, be an artist. Instead she will be modeling some of the technology and musical items you can win in a competitions exclusive to my magazines. 

Third Contents Page Photo - Plans and Ideas

Band members from 'The Drums'

For this shoot I want to feature two boys as which will make up a band and will be featured in the four part grid on my contents page. I want the photograph to be simplistic and alternative looking, therefore they will be wearing similar coloured simple clothing and have emotionless facial expressions looking at a direct eye contact at the camera.

I have taken inspiration from these pictures of two members of the alternative band 'The Drums' I have chosen to take photographs similar to this photograph as it is visually similar to what I want to achieve.  I will be using the location of a mirrored room as it acts as a plain background but will also reflect the back of the models and will therefore add more depth and interest to the photograph, therefore giving it a very new and alternative look to the photograph. I also have decided to use a different background as all of the photographs I have taken so far of models have been taken in front of a plain white background, I therefore want to add something slightly different to my contents page, but still keeping to the alternative theme.

                                                                    

Second Contents Page Photo Plans and Ideas

For this photograph I will be taking, it will be featured on my contents page in a part of a four part grid layout. I have decided I want to feature an article which would be within my magazine called the 'golden oldies'. I have decided to take pictures of someone looking through a bunch of records as this will appeal to alternative music fans who like the classics. It will also bring a more musical look to my contents page to make it look more like a music magazine. It will look similar to this photograph on the left. 

First Contents Page Photo Plan and Ideas

Introduction to the shoot and Ideas

For this shoot I will be taking photographs of my chosen model, Josephine Hearn. I chose this model because she is blonde and attractive, I believe this model as an artist will appeal to both males and females which is my target audience. 

For this shoot, I want to create a popular alternative female artist to feature on my contents page. I will be using images of the existing most current alternative female artist, Lana Del Rey, as inspiration. 

Lana Del Rey with a cat

I have chosen to create a photograph similar to this of Lana Del Rey. I will be using features from this photograph such as the cat and her facial expression. 


The reason I have chosen to take the feature of the artist holding a cat is because cats are very much associated with the indie and alternative 'look' and style.

Lana Del Rey wearing a fur coat

The dress code my model will be wearing is an MTV music top which connotes the music industry and the 'artists' passion for music. And also a fur coat, for a more glamorous feminine and old fashioned alternative style also inspired by the artist Lana Del Rey, as seen in this photograph to the left. I will be combining the three features from these photographs, these include; moody alternative facial expression, the use of a cat as a prop and also the dress code of a fur coat.
Once I have completed this shoot I will make a contact sheet with all the images of which I have taken. 

Masthead colour

I have decided to slightly alter my masthead colour on my front cover now I have inserted my edited photograph. I have made it a slightly deeper and paler red. I then changed the colour of the rectangle box and subheading so that the colour scheme matched. 

Headline Process

I have now inserted my headline on my front cover, I have selected the colour to be an off-white so that it fits with alternative music magazine conventions and 'style'. I also wanted to make the letters of the word 'picked' spaced equally in line with the above text 'The Hand'. This adds a customised look and brand to the the typography and so it is recognisable with the bands fans and this layout of the typography is associated with the band.

However I needed to add a stroke around the typography in order for it to stand out from the background and to look more professional  However I kept the line thin as I wanted it to be subtle and unnoticeable in order to fit in the alternative music magazine genre 'look' and appearance. 

Process

The recent process of my front cover has included decided how to align my cover lines. I personally prefer them being aligned in the middle however a majority of my target audience have said that they think it looks more professional aligned to the left, therefore I think that I will align it that way. 

I have also decided to put the subheading on my front cover in front of a white rectangle shape. However, I have increased the transparency of the box to make it more alternative looking and subtle. This shape has allowed the subheading to be more visible and readable against the background. 

Cover line choices - Peer review

Middle

Which position should I place my cover lines on my front cover? 

To the left

Editing Main Cover Image In Photoshop

After my peer review on my two chosen front cover photos,
I decided to use the both I and my fellow peers preferred.
I then edited the image. Before I inserted the photo into Photoshop I decided to edit out blemishes from the models faces and I want to make them appear fresh faced, attractive and appealing to my target audience. It is also an ideology for models to have perfect skin when featured in a magazine.

I then used Hue/Saturation in Photoshop to drain and decrease the saturation of certain colours to of the models which is a typical convention in music magazines. I also increased the lightness of the photograph to add to the achieved look and effect i did this both with curves and Hue/Saturation.

This how my page looks with my photo newly edited. I may slightly alter the colours but I will be keeping the overall look of the photograph pale and drained like I found when researching alternative music magazine front cover conventions. 

Using The Lasso Tool In Photoshop

I placed my front cover photo in the position on the page in which I was happy with, however, It did not fill some of the page on the right hand side. In order to fix this I used the 'Lasso' tool in Photoshop and selected 'content aware'. This action filled in the white space on my page. 

Chosen image and reason

Chosen photograph from front cover
photo shoot.

I have chosen this image as this was the most popular choice from the results of my peer review. It is also my preferred photograph from the shoot as I feel their body language and facial expression reflect alternative music magazines conventions and ideology's of representation of alternative bands on their front covers.

It also reflects the individual personalty's of the two band members as I positioned the model on the right slightly more forward which shows he is more open with his audience and fans connoting he will be more willing to reveal his personal life, his mouth is also slightly open which anchors this idea.

I placed the second model behind to show he is slightly more reserved however his blank facial expression connotes his slight attitude and passion for his opinions and views. He is placed behind his band member to also connote that he is reliant on his band mate even if he slightly too arrogant to realize it. However overall their brightly coloured checked t shirts and fresh faces connote to the reader they are friendly, their causal clothing shows they are 'normal' and 'down to earth', it does not appear through their dress code they have anything to hide although their facial expression is not giving much away to the reader, this is another element of this photograph which intrigues and attracts the reader and alternative music genre fans. 

Their direct eye contact also draws the reader in. Their blank facial expression and position reflects the typical conventional way in which alternative bands are represented in alternative music magazines. 

Peer Review on Cover Image Choice

First photo choice

Which  photo do you prefer for my front cover?

Second Photo Choice

Front Cover Contact Sheet And Evaluation

Above is my contact sheet for my magazine front cover shoot. This Photo Shoot took around ten to fifteen minutes to set up, take and complete. I only took 17 photographs as I knew exactly what I wanted my photograph to look like; my models also understood what poses and positions I wanted them to be in. I used natural lighting for this shoot because unnatural lighting would cast a vivid dark shadow on the wall behind, using natural lighting has also made the pictures bright with white lighting instead of a unnatural dim yellow.  

 As you can see, I made sure there was enough blank space at the top, where my title will be placed, and to the right of the models, where I will be putting my cover lines. I chose to use a plain white background as this is a conventional alternative magazine look and background, I also learnt from my prelim task that it is difficult to place cover lines around images if there is a busy background. I also took all of these photographs in a portrait orientation as I made the mistake of taking my large cover photo for my prelim front cover in landscape. Overall I feel this photo shoot went well, purely because the photographs turned out as I hoped and visualized. 

Double Page Spread Contact Sheets And Evaluation

Above are my double page spread contact sheets of photographs taken from my double page spread photo shoot. This photo shoot was taken in two parts, first I took photographs of my models in an interview set up of them sitting on leather seats against a plain wall. Next I took photographs of my models against the same off white wall that I used for my front cover photo shoot. 

As seen above, for the first part of my photo shoot I took at total of 87 photographs of the models who make up my band that will be featured on all of my magazine pages. The reason for this number of photographs for this particular part of the shoot was because it was partly spontaneous as I wanted their facial expressions to be varied and natural, not posed. I also asked the models to look past the camera at a certain spot which represented where the 'interviewer' would be. To make sure the photographs looked as natural as possible I asked my friend, Josephine Hearn, to sit in the spot of the 'interviewer' and she asked them a number of questions relating to their 'band', this allowed me to take photographs of the models in mid speech. 

For varied facial expressions I asked my Josephine to talk to the models about personal subjects that related their own personal lives, this therefore would mirror the facial expressions that they would pull if this was an actual band interview, and if being in a band was a part of their personal lives. Because of this set up, I managed to take photographs of varied facial expressions such as anger, deep thought, laughter and also more relaxed positions. This therefore took a lot more time than the posed shots as I wanted to capture the best natural facial expressions and poses during the 'interview' that I could; as a result the models look as if they were in actual mid-conversation and their facial expressions look as natural as possible. A number of these photos will be placed within the interview article on the second page of my magazine double page spread. 

For the second part of my this double page photo I placed my models against an off white wall. This part of the photo shoot took a lot less time as I visually knew exactly what I wanted the photographs to look like and what poses and positions I wanted the models to be in, similarly to my front cover photo shoot. One of these photos will be used to fill the first page of my double page spread. For this image, I wanted the the poses, body language and facial expression to anchor what my double page spread interview will be about. I therefore asked Henry to have a direct eye contact at the camera with his arms folded and Sam to be positioned slightly in front of Henry and to have an emotionless facial expression, facing at a turned angle away with a non-direct eye contact with the camera. This Position reveals more of the bands 'image' and personality, the pose itself also looks 'alternative.

Overall, I am pleased with how all of my photo shoots went and I have taken a number of successful images from them. I will now narrow down what photographs I will be using for my magazine pages and edit them to  fit the 'alternative' music magazine 'look'.

Completed Photo Shoot

I have just completed my photo shoots and they went successfully! I will now make a number of contact sheets of all the photographs I have taken today.

Beginning My Photo Shoot

My models have just turned up and we are just about to take my magazine photo shoot, which I am looking forward to.

These are the models I will be using for my front cover shoot and my double page spread photo shoot. As you can see they are both wearing checked buttoned shirts as this was the dress code that I arranged to have as it connotes their 'alternative' identity and that they are members of the same band. 


Henry Royan, 17











Sam St.Clair, 16

Front Cover Progress

This is my process so far for my music magazine front cover and how I carried it out.

First I inserted my mast head with the typography I previously chose from 'Dafont' website. I also inserted a line across the top of the page where I will be having a banner. I also inserted a rectangle shape across the 'Z' to create a customised look to this title and typography and add a 'brand' to this masthead which will be regognisable to Interzone magazine.

However in order for my masthead 's letters to be equally spaced and to fill the width of the page I had to adjust the spacing of the characters. I also changed the colour of the typography. 

I decided to use the second colour for my masthead as I feel it is more softer and suits and alternative music magazine better. However, this is not the final colour for my masthead, I may change it once I have inserted my main front cover photo. 

I then typed my banner and decided to make it a pale grey colour so that the main focus will be on the mast head and headline. 

I then added my headline 'The Hand Picked' which will anchor my main front cover photo of the band once I have inserted it. I like the typography that I have used for my headline as it is in contrast to my headline typography and stands out. This typography is also associated with my band in which I have created for my magazine, in the same way font is associated and regognised for existing bands.

I decided to make the headline typography colour slightly browner to make it appear visually softer and to suit alternative conventions. I then added a subheading under my masthead to give the audience an idea of what the magazine will be talking about and featuring about this band. It also is a rhetorical question which draws the reader in and makes them want to know the answer. 

I have now began to add the cover lines on the right hand side of the front cover. I have used the same pale grey as the banner, again to keep the main focus on the mast head and head line and also to keep to a basic and simplistic colour scheme which is an alternative music magazine convention.  

This is my final process so far on my front cover. At this point I inserted a bar code on the bottom left hand side of the page to make it look professional looking. I am happy so far with what my front cover looks like. I will now be inserting my main front cover image and adjusting certain features and aspects of this page.