Research And Planning: FROOTS

Research And Planning: Front Cover Take 2

Research And Planning: Double Page Spread Take 2

For some reason, from the screenshot, the arrow and the bar appear a lot greener than what they are in real life. It is definitely a more turquoise colour.

At the moment I am just playing around with shapes, because as with my front cover- I plan for the image to do a lot of the talking and I don't want to litter it. Folk isn't about the glamour or flashy headlines; its a lot more raw, rural and down to earth than that.

The first double page spread just wasn't working. It was incredibly stylised and mirrored the typical format of most mainstream magazines. It did however serve as a tutorial in how to create various effects for future work. I

 wont lie, the first attempt was pretty much thrown together last minute and was fairly slap-dash. I was just in a panic because my images weren't right and it was all falling to pieces.

Now, I have new pictures and a renewed confidence.

Research And Planning: 3 models in one

Overall I think the picture is quite effective. It was not easy. There was a lot of changing clothes in bushes and waiting for the right light.

I basically found a location and set up the SLR on a tripod so it stayed in the same place. This was to keep the pictures in proportion to the entire image.

It was a bit difficult not being able to adjust the zoom to get a better photo but the sizes of the model would have been different....which unless I was going for an Alice In Wonderland effect, would not have worked.

The sunlight kept shifting and changing and this was a pain because the exposure and general composition kept changing. 

The original image is the her sat with the parasol so I just kept referring to that on the SLR for lighting and positioning. It was a very small space and i was aware there was a risk the models could overlap so I have to use the rocks in the background as pointers.

After that it was fairly easy to place the other two images on photoshop and with a little help from the eraser, I managed to get my double page spread image.

Research And Planning: Photoshoot TAKE 2

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN....INTRODUCING LAURA BOYLE

The Money Shot

Hair covering the face a bit taking away the eye contact

Seems a bit dull but not too bad

Possible front cover

The following pictures are for the double page spread. The idea is to have her in various costumes with different props and then cut and drop her all into one photo so it looks like there are 3 Laura's.

So after a bit of old fashioned 'trial and error', I retook the photo's for my magazine.

In between, I did learn how to use SLR properly...which helped to say the least.

I kept within the same location but luckily the lighting and weather was miles better this time round. The focus is a great improvement as well and the make-up/costume is much more fitting for the magazine.

I didn't want to detract from the scenery so I kept the colours as neutral as possible (but something that was also warm for my model as it's still quite nippy).

I think altogether it worked together quite well and there are definitely pictures I can use

Research And Planning: THE TURN AROUND

Based on audience feedback...I have decided to start my magazine again from scratch.

Now I can hear some of you asking why and wondering whether I'm completely insane doing this so late in the process. The answer to that is...most probably.

And I know a lot of you are most likely thinking 'HALLELUJAH'

I am not happy with the photography and standard of the drafts so I'm going at it from a different approach.

I am still sticking with the folk genre but I will be reshooting; re-evaluating the use of colours/make-up costume etc. The I will be changing the layout, particularly with the double page spread.

Hopefully the look will be completely different and more authentic than the work produced so far.

Research And Planning: Double Page Spread Progress

Second Draft 

Research And Planning: Front Cover Feedback

Having completed the first draft of my front cover, I looked to my peers for my feedback.

Keisha commented on how she liked the simplicity and the idea of the picture taking the focus. With regards to the main image, she did say it was too blurry taking away from the professional elements of a music magazine.

Holly said she liked the colours-they all link together and work with the main image. She commented on how she loved the models pose however the picture was out of focus making the cover look a bit messy.

Angela (the tutor) has also made very similar comments.

With this in mind, I think it is important for me to take new pictures that are in focus. On the screen of the SLR, the pictures seemed a lot clearer. It wasn't until they were placed onto the template that the blur became apparent.
The weather is rainy and dull but I plan to re-shoot asap and make sure I understand the technology I'm using and make sure I get enough pictures and that they are as clear as possible.

Research And Planning: Front Cover

Research And Planning: Double Page Spread Progress

Research And Planning: Front Cover Progress

 

This is the front cover of my magazine so far. 

I really wanted a simple cover where the main image does most of the talking. I don't think it'd be appropriate to the genre to  have it littered with with lots of text. I tried to keep the colours as simple as possible trying to stick with only three.

I am concerned with how blurry the main image is and this will probably require a re-shoot.

Research And Planning: Extended Font Research

These are recognised as current folk bands. 

I'm using the album covers to see the font they use. This is to get an idea of the font I can use on the front cover besides the mast head. These are also fonts I'll be using within my magazine.

As you can see, the fonts are very basic- similar to Times New Roman.

I plan to use a similar design for my magazine as it seems a design that has been adopted by the folk music scene thus more likely to be recognised by the fan base- potential readers.

Research And Planning: Colour testing

Due to the weather we are seeing in Manchester at the moment. my plan for the photoshoot has had to be adjusted.

It was my original idea was to have it set within bright, colourful and nature based surroundings outside. This would match a then happy story.

Because the sky is very dark and grey, the lighting is awful for this, so I have decided to work and see how I can take the dull lighting and use it in an effective way.

I have been using photoshop to experiment is grey, cold colours just to get an idea of the new look for the magazine.

This meant changing the exposure, saturation, temperature and tint.