Main Task - Music Magazine Planning

Planning Camera Shots

To aid my thoughts about my music magazine, I carried out extra research on the types of photographs taken and used in magazines. I have gathered numerous images of artists that have previously been used in indie/pop magazines, which will ultimately add to my knowledge and ideas relating to the music magazine I want to produce. Also, I have taken a wide range on images to portray the different camera effects that are commonly used in music magazines such as; the rule of thirds, depth of field, multiple focus, cropping and the diverse angles in which images can be taken. Also, the image requires perspective as well to make it more interesting, which will entice more readers.

This image of 'Cage The Elephant',  a popular indie/pop band, has been taken at a high angle, making the image diverse from other images, which could also indicate how different they are to other bands in the music genre. This also gives the reader a different perspective of the band, making it more interesting. Also, as each band member is looking in a different direction, multiple focus has been used. This effect draws the focus of the audience to different aspects of the image, making it more exciting for the reader.

This medium shot of Kelly Clarkson, whilst she is singing, gives the image some perspective; which brings the audience closer to the actions the singer is carrying out. Also, this shot allows the audience to see the facial expressions of the artist, presenting her passion for singing. Cropping has also been used to cut the top of Clarkson's head and the rest of her legs, which again, draws more attention to her facial expressions.

This long shot of Darren Criss, gives the image depth as it not only presents him, but also guitars, indicating that he has a musical talent, as well as highlighting the music genre he is comfortable with. The use of depth of field also allows the audience to see what is in the foreground and the background; therefore giving them a wider knowledge of the image.

Images taken to present the different types of music photography

This long shot  has been taken at a low angle, which gives the reader a different perspective of the group, making it more interesting. Also, multiple focus has been used as each member in the photo is looking in different directions, which draws the focus of the audience to different aspects of the image, making it more exciting for the reader. The image also shows that the lead member of the group is always situated in the middle of the image and when multiple focus is used, the lead should be looking at the camera.

Using Adobe Photoshop to edit an image

This band poster includes a medium shot of three people looking in diverse directions, which provides the image with multiple focus, making it more interesting and exciting as it gives the audience more than one focal point.
The image has been edited in Adobe Photoshop, which is an editing software. The background of the original image has been masked, which takes away the unwanted background, but leaving the main focus as well as giving the outline of the subject a smooth edge, which provides the final piece with a professional look. The image has also been filtered with an effect; therefore making the subject closer to the camera lighter and the other subjects darker, portraying a contrast in colour as well as in the role of the band.
Constant colours have been used, like grey and black, which makes the image look simple as well as professional.

Mock-Ups of magazine pages
Front Cover;

On the front cover of my music magazine I will have a very clear masthead ('Acoustic'), which will be black; therefore making it bold, allowing it to stand out on the page. Below this, I will place the slogan, 'Solely instrumental', which will be a smaller size than the masthead, however the font style and colour will remain the same, to portray consistency. The image of the artist will be located at the right hand side of the page, providing space for the straplines of other articles in the magazine, which will be situated in a column along the left hand side of the page. The title of the main article will be layered over the top of the image; however it will not obstruct the main features of the photo. A pug will also be layered over the image; however, like the title, it will not cover the artist's face. Below the title, a kicker will be placed, advertising a free 'Indie Summer fashion' booklet; therefore enticing the reader even more.

Contents page;

On the contents page of the magazine, the title will be 'set list', which relates to the music genre as bands usually take a list of songs on stage with them, so they know what song they will be playing next. Along the left hand side of the page, images will be placed of the artist that is presented on the front page; therefore magnifying that they are the main focus of the magazine. On the opposite side, the list of articles will be located with the article on 'Eleanor Rose' being the centre of the column. Also, to draw the readers attention to this article, the colour scheme will change to gold, allowing it to stand out from the rest of the features in the magazine.

Double Page Spread;

The double page spread of my magazine will be dominated by a landscape image of the artist; therefore meaning that the contents of the article will overlap it. The text will be located at the bottom right hand side of the double page spread; therefore the most important parts of the image will be placed on the right hand side of the page. Also, the title of the article is going to be a quote ('Noel Gallanger has taught me a few chords') from the artist; therefore it will be presented in a more sophisticated style as if it has been said. Nevertheless, the colour scheme will remain the same, again, portraying consistency.