Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Practical Production: Final Draft

Front Cover:

The final change I made to my front cover was adding the date and year to the magazine, as an informative element of my magazine. This ensures they are receiving/purchasing the correct issue and is important in relation to the month-prior factor.



Contents Page:

I have changed the page number of the contents page, due to the contents typically being on page 3.




Double Page Spread:

I have changed the top left hand corner to match the logo of Velvet as I feel like this adds a house theme style and makes the article familiar due to the logo being recognisable.




Saturday, 2 April 2016

Practical Production: Second Draft

Final Draft:

I have decided to completely change the layout of my magazine front cover, due to it looking slightly crowded and unprofessional. I wanted to use a different image due to feeling as though the other wasn't suitable, and I felt like due to my genres, I did want to take a more minimalistic approach. My new cover employs on cover line only and challenges the typical masthead convention. I much prefer this cover and feel as though it is more visually attractive, as well as different to your typical music magazine.




Contents Page:

I have added a lot more to my contents page in terms of subscription option and using my own images rather than ones from the internet. 




Double Page Spread:





Friday, 4 March 2016

March Plan

Due to my final exams approaching, I need to begin to get all of my blog and evaluations rounded-off due to my focus being important within my exam studies. I will aim to finish most of my blog this month:
- Evaluation Question 6
- Evaluation Question 7
- Ensure blog is up to date, add any additional independent posts and research

Friday, 26 February 2016

Time Management

I am currently making all attempts to ensure all of the checklist is completely checked off. I am targeting to start my work on my evaluation questions as soon as possible, and must brainstorm ways in which I can vary each question and employ a variety of media into my magazine.

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Time Management

I have a short amount of time left until my deadline and I am having some difficulties ensuring that everything is complete. I am, however, going to lengths and taking my own time to try and complete as much as possible. This means that I will be able to obtain my a first opinion of my blog, as well as improvements that shall be made in order to achieve the best grade I can.

I am really pleased with the ways I am planning my work, I am using the list that has been given to me by my lecturer to tick off posts as they are published. I am also continuing to brainstorm as many ways as possible to make my blog different, and to use various applications and websites such as Prezi as well as iMovie, to add an element of multimedia and difference to my blog.

Editing My Chosen Images

From the contact sheet that I created, I decided that to fit in with the colour scheme of my magazine and to stick to the guidelines of my magazine proposal, I would edit my images so that they are black and white with areas of red. Rather than to continuously screenshot my progress, I thought I would use the app 'Quicktime Player' on my mac to record my desktop as I edited one of the chosen images. I then used the app 'iMovie' in order to speed up the video to minimise the length and add a title at the beginning of the video. I then uploaded it to the YouTube channel that I maintain for my media coursework and embedded it into this post. See below:



To talk through the process of the editing, I firstly opened the image that I wanted to edit by selecting File > Open, and then selected the image I desired. I then added a black and white adjustment layer over the image (Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Black and White), in order to make the photo black and white. As there was red originally in the image, I decided that I wanted to bring all of that forward within the black and white. To do this, I identified the areas of red in the original image and simply used the eraser tool to erase the areas of the adjustment layer that weren't required. This would then erase the adjustment layer so that the original image below would be visible, therefore making the red visible. I varied the harshess depending on how I wanted the red to blend out into the black and white, to create the desired natural look. I lowered the harshness on the outer areas of red and heightened it towards the centre of the areas of red. I then used the miser brush tool and blended the areas red into the skin, in order to expel harsh lines and create a natural effect. I completed the image by saving it as a JPEG as this meant it would save as a copy (Photoshop document + JPEG copy), and would be able to be opened within other photoshop documents.

Sunday, 21 February 2016

Contact Sheet Creation & Selection of Images

In order to place all of the images I took at the shoot together, I created a contact sheet on photoshop, by selecting File > Automate > Contact Sheet ||. This would allow me to compare all the images together in one place and determine which ones I liked best, which ones added variation to the images I am using, and which suited my genre and target audience.

I then went on to circle in red the images I decided were the best for my magazine and circled them in red, by creating a new layer over the contact sheets. I will paste below the contacts sheets once circled:





















From this, I am taking the images and editing them one by one so that they follow my color scheme. I will post an update of how these images turn out. I will also embed those images into that post.

From the photos I have selected, I have also taken two example images, one that I like and have chosen to use, and one that I dislike and have chosen against using. I think it is important that I fully develop my ideas and explore which images are suitable and why.

Image I like: This is image feature a close up shot of my model, in which an element of emotion and mysteriousness can be seen. I really love the way in which she is looking upwards as I feel this portrays ideas of hope and optimism within her eyes. The connotations of this image are ideal due to the associated of emotion, linking in with the variety of emotions featured within music, and therefore the range of emotion within my magazine. As my genres are contemporary R&B and indie rock, the songs that are encompassed by these genres will completely range in moods, tones and topics, from love, to anger, to fear, and even misery. I believe an image with intense emotion completely relates to the music and theme of my magazine, and that is why I really like this image and plan on using it. I also particularly enjoy the lighting in this image, and the way the use of make up allows the light to completely bounces from her cheekbones, as well as the way the light highlights the use of red glitter within the make up. The use of red is very important within my magazine due to its prestige within my colour scheme and its various positive connotations. However, I will be making use of photoshop to edit out the area of light on the models nose, due to its unnecessary stand-out effect.

Image I dislike: Although, I like the use of shot within this image (low-angle shot, displaying power, higher status, strength), I believe the lighting within this image is too dark to highlight the model's complexion, as well as the use of red within the image. The red glitter around the eyes does not appear to be reflecting any light, and there is an element of darkness to it that I don't believe would work with the black and white of the image, once photoshopped. I also believe the model's pose looks slightly uncomfortable and doesn't not appear to have many positive connotations. Therefore, I shall not be using this image.

Time Management

Currently, I am attempting to keep all of my posts up to date, and to a good standard, whilst also perfecting my first drafts of my practical product. I have been struggling to update posts that involve time management due to my desire to have all of my posts within a certain order. From now on, despite wanting to keep a chronological order of my posts, I will compose a time management post, every time I make various steps within my work.
During the holidays, as well as allowing myself some free time, I have created a schedule that I have been sticking to in order to completely finish the majority of my coursework. This has been created, by assigning certain days to ensure various areas of my coursework are complete. I have done this by following a list of posts that should be completed on my blog, and ticking or circling them, depending on whether they are complete or not. Therefore, I can ensure that I have fully completed all of my coursework. This is an idea of the timetable I am following below:

Monday, 1 February 2016

February Plan

I found it fairly difficult to complete the questions in depth in this amount of time due to a lot of research going in to the questions. I am going to try and keep these updated, and complete the nest few questions this month:
- Evaluation Question 3
- Evaluation Question 4
- Evaluation Question 5

Friday, 29 January 2016

Sunday, 24 January 2016

Double Page Spread Article Draft

Eleanor Lotswood's performance at the royal Variety in 2015 left the world in awe of her angelic voice and elegant nature. Dressed in a glorious white lace gown, which daringly displayed areas of her feminine curves. Lots wood stood before Prince Charles and audience and silenced the venue with the miraculous twitters and turns of her new single, 'Hollywood Temptation'.

Today, though, Lotswood is dreaming of the familiarity of home, as she embarks on her 2016 world tour, visiting destinations from Tokyo, to Northern America, to Dubai and all the way back home to London again. ‘I want to inspire and entertain,’ she exclaims cheerfully, whilst fiddling with her thumbs, ‘females aren’t given enough recognition in this industry and that needs to be changed. We’re deemed as these constantly hysteric and emotional beings and males are given all of prestige for being sexualised and bad, but as soon as a girl moves towards that area of music, it is deemed as incorrect, or it’s frowned up. That’s not okay.’ She gazes, elegantly out of the window as she considers her previous statement.
Ever since Eleanor Lotswood released her debut album, Scarlett Letters & Honeysweet Valentines, Lotswood has dominated the musical industry with the dark, soulfully seductive lyrics of her 12 beautiful tracks, beating the likes of Beyoncé and Justin Bieber to #1 for numerous weeks in a row! It seems that Hollywood Temptation fuelled everyone’s dying autumn days and made an appearance on pretty much every existing relaxed playlist. I question her on this. ‘I think that Hollywood Temptation is a very wholesome song. It expands and imprints everyone who hears it, no matter what their situation or background… And I think that was what I wanted to achieve with that piece. My experience writing the song was very spiritual and I can be certain when I tell you that I put my mind and my heart into those lyrics. It’s honesty really hit home and it was challenging to expose myself in that way. To be frank, I was opening myself up to an audience who I didn’t know, because it was my first song. I had no idea how people were going to interpret my music, or me, so the reaction I received really touched me and welcomed me into the industry that I’ve been dreaming of joining since I was a young girl.’ Lotswood is firm within every element of what she says. You could perhaps deem her as one of the most openly honest people you could ever have the pleasure to meet. I admire her defined collarbones that appear to outline the femininity of her shoulders, travelling down her slender arms, and finally meeting her delicate, young hands. There is no ring. ‘I believe that marriage should only occur if you trust in the fact that your soul is intertwined with your other half’s for life. Now, my soul is intertwined with my music and the community that I reach with my lyrics. I don’t particularly like to view those who enjoy my music and I as fans. They are my family as I love them unconditionally, and my soul will be ever grateful for their love and support. It is an eternal love, and that is why I must pursue my music before delving into the soul of another, and finding peace within them. There are points in life that you must never take for granted, like the place I am in now. But whatever happens, happens, and I must go in the direction that God steers me. Everything happens for a reason, of course.’
Some, however, are ever curious about Lotswood herself and are yet to get to know her, due to her recent emergence leaving the world surprised that a talent so beautiful could have been hidden from us for so long. I ask her, if she were to describe herself in a single sentence to those who are less knowledgeable of her, what would it be? ‘hmmm… that’s an interesting question honey. I’d say, a spiritually touched romantic princess, with all the class and femininity of Marilyn, and a hint of rock and roll. *Laughs, yes, I think that just about sums me up.’ Lotswood then goes on to mention how she came to acquire these attributes; ‘ my mother raised me on rock and roll, and as a single mother she was by far the biggest influence in my life, but I believe that is what a mother should be. I didn’t have a father figure, and I was an only child, so I believe that this raised me as strong and fairly independent. Of course the princess element comes from my mother being my only queen and therefore me (as the only child) being her princess!’
‘And how about the class and femininity of Marilyn?’ I question.
‘Oh, my mother always raised me to be classy and respect myself as well as all others. I believe that you should treat others how you’d like to be treated yourself. It’s a known fact, as well as a rule I like to live by, that all religions base themselves on the teaching that reads, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ I love this, and I believe the way I go about my daily life, as well as my professional life, relates to this, due to my upbringing and the religious influences that my mother placed upon me. The Marilyn reference all comes down to her comfort within her body and the inspiration she was to many, many others. I mean, I am not skinny. I’m not calling myself overweight, no, definitely not, nor would I define myself as fat. But I am comfortable and I would not change myself in the slightest for anyone other than myself. Society has so many expectations on males as well as females. If I could apply that element of inspiration to the audience I attract in the way that Marilyn did, then that would be beautiful to me, and I would pride myself upon that.’

Several hours after meeting the fabulous Eleanor Lotswood, I am reflecting on her character and the presence she brought to the interview. If you were one of those who were clueless as to her character and her music, I’d comment that the lack of her music that is in your life is leaving a gap within your iTunes/Spotify library, and that her character brings an almost heavenly and spiritual presence into the room. She could positively define the term ‘angelic’, and I am eternally grateful to have had the upmost pleasure to meet and converse with her.


Eleanor Lotswood is a shooting star on the brink of her worldwide domination of the music industry, and I would deem her and her lyrical gold as a blessing to this cruel world.

Wednesday, 20 January 2016

Masthead Ideas

In order to explore the options/ideas I put forward for a name of my magazine, I created a prezi, presenting my 3 most favourite ideas, whilst discussing what I liked/disliked about them and why. This allowed me to weigh out my options and determine which one would be best suited over the others and why. I have embedded this press below:

Choosing a Font

I have browsed both the internet and the computer for font that will be used as my masthead. As the name of my magazine is Velvet, this will be the font that presents this title. I will paste below the several fonts that I have selected:






































Once I had selected these fonts, I decided that it would be best to acquire the opinions of my peers, who fit perfectly into my target audience. Therefore, I placed an image into a group conversation on  Facebook with some of these people and requested them to select their favorite option. I will paste screenshots of my results below:


It appeared that the most preferred fonts were the 2nd (Code) and 4th fonts (Vonique 92). Therefore, I inputted them into the image that I'd like to use on my cover and edited them in order to create the appearance of the final product. This is what I produced:



Overall, I particularly liked both fonts for a variety of different reasons. I believe that Vonique 92 appeared to have a diverse feel and added an interesting element to the magazine, however, Code was clear and simple whilst completely fitting the target audience of my magazine. Therefore, I believe that, unless I find something more in favour than my current selection, I will be using the font, Code.

Friday, 8 January 2016

This Session...

This session I plan on continuing to edit my images from my photo shoot in order to achieve the red, white and black theme that I desire for my magazine, however, firstly I plan on finding a font in order to prepare me for creating a realistic cover. To do so, I will find several fonts that I like and narrow it down, with the help of friends, in order to tailor it to my target audience.

Monday, 4 January 2016

January Plan

Last month was reasonably laid back, due to my focus being on getting my product perfect. From here I will be focusing on my evaluation questions and ensuring my blog is up to date:
- Evaluation Question 1 Research and Answer
- Evaluation Question 2 Research and Answer

Both answers must be media rich.

Photoshoot Planning: Practice Images


Photoshoot Planning

What emotional impact do you want your photography to have upon the reader? how will you achieve this impact? why have you chosen this particular impact? what effect will it have on the reader?
I want my photographs to connote a dramatic feel. I also want the model to look intense to portray that serious feeling, allowing them to believe that they are going to get a serious and thorough insight of the artist. I also want them to feel emotionally effected by the way in which the images will relate to the DPS article, this will create a connection between the artist/artist's music and the audience, allowing my magazine to feel like a gateway into gathering an enhanced understanding of the lyrics. When the audience observe the image I use, they will bare in mind the article and will view the face behind the music, creating this connection and making them feel more in touch with the music that I use. This will be a desirable quality of my magazine, as they will be encouraged to purchase further issues of the magazine in order to create this connection with artists in these issues.

What personnel do you need? who are you going to photograph? why have you chosen this person?
I have chosen to photograph one of my close friends. My friend has a history in modeling and belongs to an agency, meaning she is the perfect fit for a model as she is experienced and maintains a professional look. I believe her model physique also gives her a different look to other people who I may have photographed. She is very beautiful, creating a desirable feel with the females of my target audiences through aspiration, and with the males of my target audience through the male gaze.

What props will you need? why have you chosen these props? how will they be used?
I have not chosen a prop to use. In terms of my magazine's theme, something within the image is generally going to be red, so I am currently considering if a prop is required for the image. I if decide that I'd like to use a prop, I will most likely use something in the shade of red, for example, a rose. However, I believe I will choose against using a prop as I already have a plan for the use of red within the image and I'd imagine a prop along with what I am planning (will be explained in next question) will create a crowded and undesirable feel.

How are you going to emphasize colour? what color are you using? what areas of the photos will be this colour?
The main color theme that is going to run through my magazine is black and white with areas of red. This means that the image I am going to use will be in black and white, differing to other magazine's with their normal colored images. However, my magazine's images will incorporate some areas of red to fit to it's own theme and to add something different to the magazine. To add this area of red, I am going to be using red body glitter around the model's eyes. This glitter will then be dragged out to the hairline above the ear. This alongside the harsh brow make up and facial contouring will add a dramatic feel to the make up look. The image will be printed in black and white but the glitter around the eyes will be red. I believe this adds a lot of attention to the eyes, which will be looking directly at the camera, addressing the audience with a chocolate box pose. This creates an inclusive feel, encouraging the reader to purchase the magazine. Also, this area of red will be alongside the important areas of the magazine, for example the name of the magazine, and cover lines. This sense of importance associated with the red color will transfer across to the eyes of the model, creating a sense of importance in the model, therefore the magazine, a quality that I desire my magazine to have.

Have you briefed your personnel/models? how have you organized the photoshoot? 

       

What lighting will you need? any equipment?
I am going to be using a low key lighting for my image as I believe this fit in with the black and white theme and adds a really dramatic feel, like the feel I want my image to portray. I believe this will fully contrast the red glitter, and make it stand out against the rest of the image, drawing the audience's eyes to the artist's eyes. To do this I will need to maintain a set up like the image right, and also turn the flash right down so that the lighting does not blow out my model. In terms of my camera, I must minimize the light entering the camera whilst not making everything look dark. This will involve setting a low ISO, in order for the flash to incorporate the more desired areas of the model into the image.

Where will you shoot? will you need a backdrop?
I have booked the photography studio in the David Puttnam Media Center at Sunderland University (St Peters Campus) as it is a professional venue, with equipment that will aid me in taking the ideal photo. The suite is booked for an hour on the 27th November from 3pm-4pm. I will use a plain backdrop in the shoot as this will be ideal for my image.

How will the model appear? make-up? costume?
My model will be wearing a larger black blazer, with a black bralet beneath it. She will then be wearing plain black trousers and black heeled boots. I believe this adds an element of class, glamour and femininity, whilst incorporating a dominant facial expression to portray the feeling that females are powerful. In terms of make-up, I have briefly covered the use of red glitter within the model's make up, but I am also going to us harsh contouring in order to define her face and create a serious expression. The model's brows are going to be considerably prominent in order to add to this dramatic feel. I am going to wet the model's hair and have it straight, slick down an damp, to create an older, sophisticated and dramatic feel.