Contents page with changes

After analysing this contents page and speaking with my lecturer I decided that there were a few minor changes that I wished to alter. The page numbers that were advertising certain articles were not in chronological order, there-fore I changed them. The second header of 'NEWS AND VIEWS' was originally just 'NEWS' which ment that there was a noticeably large amount of purple box that was not being used so I extended the headline.

Double page spread changed

Overall I was happy with my double page spread so the only alteration I made was to add page numbers in order to make 'RECKLESS' appear professional.

Choosing a logo

After researching an array of different music magazines I discovered that the majority of them had their own logos. I decided to use the website 'www.polyvore.com' as it was a simple way to create a logo. There is a search engine which allowed me to browse through whatever I wished and also pick a colour.

Final changes to front cover

After speaking to my lecturer we both agreed that my front cover would benefit from having another headline. I believe that this was a good idea as there was a possibility that my two original headlines may not have attracted other potential buyers but the new one might have. It was also apparent that there was too much blank space to the right of my headline, thus I decided to create a logo. After researching other logo's it became clear that successful magazine's typically have their own, there-for I decided to make one as my ultimate goal was to make 'Reckless' appear realistic.

Photographs I did not use

I decided not to feature this particular photograph in 'RECKLESS' as I believe that it does not appear professional. The location does not fit in with the genre of my magazine and lacks visual impact. The quality of the photograph is also rather poor as my model does not appear as if she is in focus. Thus, I organised a photo shoot in a studio, using the high key technique and positioning my model in an array of different poses. The reason for capturing my model in a real studio was so my photograph appeared professional and as if it could be featured in a magazine currently in the market as I wanted 'RECKLESS' to look realistic.

The reasons for not using this particular photograph are the similar reasons I applied to the image above. I believe that my model's outfit did not fit my magazine's genre of alternative music and therefore would not appeal to my primary audience of teenagers as my model is dressed too formally. Therefore, I took my model's outfit into consideration in the next photo shoot I organised.  I made sure that I was able to access professional equipment to make the photographs look professional.

Qu7)Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

I became aware of the typical conventions used in magazines:

Developed planning skills:
Compared to my preliminary task I do believe that my planning skills have improved massively. The photographs I shot for my preliminary magazine were not planned at all where-as the photo shoots I organised for 'RECKLESS' were as I took my model's outfit, pose and makeup into consideration in order for her to suite my magazine's genre.

Audience:
In order to recognise my target audience more in order to create a product which would meet their needs more effectively I read through an array of letters and looked at personal photos which buyers of 'Kerrang', a music magazine similar to mine' had sent in. This enlightened me about the type of readers who would probably buy 'RECKLESS', thus helping me design my magazine to suit the readers interests.

Comparing my preliminary and main task:

As you can see it is obvious that I have learnt a lot about the construction of magazines. I have became aware of the typical conventions of a magazine and learnt the layouts which are used to make the pages visually appealing.

Qu6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?

Preliminary task:

It is apparent that I was new to Photoshop by comparing my preliminary task magazine to my current one. The magazine did not appear realistic and the layout was also lacking realism as it lacked the most basic conventions.

The programmes that I was introduced to:

Blogger is a free, online website which enables users to create a blog to post whatever content they please. You are able to choose your own layout, font and background. It is also possible to add other forms of media to your blog such as videos and photographs.

Photoshop is a software that enabled me to edit my photographs and initially design my magazine's layout.

Research:

Before I even started to create my initial magazine, 'RECKLESS', I knew that I wished to produce a magazine which featured alternative, pop-punk bands. Although I made the decision to create an alternative magazine I researched an array of diverse music magazines which featured other genres of music.
The magazine's included: Kerrang, Q, Rolling Stone, NME. I believe that researching diverse magazines broadened my knowledge on the different layouts that I could use, expanding my creative knowledge and allowing me to experiment with different styled layouts. I mainly used the internet to browse through magazines but also viewed them in stores like WH Smith.

Planning:
Arrangements: I asked my friend 'Sophie Tait' to pose as my model, although I did ask her in person I also double checked the night before by contacting her over the social networking website 'Facebook'. Before going to Shiny Row College to shoot the photographs I completed extra planning by organising a suitable, alternative outfit which teenagers would typically wear. I also asked 'Sophie Tait' if she would put her extensions in, wear dark eye makeup and fake eyelashes to complete the alternative appearance that I was aiming for. As for poses I put together a college of possible poses that I wished to try and copy.

Photo I took inspiration from for front cover:

 It is apparent that I took inspiration from these particular styles of Photographs. My model also had heavy eye makeup and her clothing casual and grunge-like. I also believed that the pose was incredibly important, I asked my model to have an intense gaze on the camera lens in order to attract potential buyers attention when placed on the front cover.













Photo I took inspiration from for double page spread:

I believe that this photograph contrasted the slightly defensive photograph I used for the front cover, my model appeared more friendly and relaxed. It was also an excellent way to show my model's full outfit to emphasise her alternative, teenage-like appearance.














Production:
In my preliminary task I used a standard digital camera to shoot my photographs, I also took the images on location rather than using a professional studio which was equipped with spotlights and had a white background.

Preliminary task photograph compared to 'RECKLESS' photographs:

As you can see the difference of these photographs is remarkable, even after editing the curves of the photograph on my preliminary task the image still did not appear professional and this is why I decided that I would shoot my model in a professional photography studio for 'RECKLESS'. When shooting in a studio I used the 'high key technique', this technique means that you place your model in front of a white background, position spotlights at the background and her, and connect the flash of the spotlights to the Canon camera.

Post-production:

The tools I used on Photoshop included editing the 'curves' and the 'clone stamp tool.'

To access the tool which alters the curves of an image I go along the tool bar to 'Image', 'Adjustments' and 'Curves'. When clicking on curves the grid above appears. One of the points darkens aspects of the photograph such as my model's hair and skirt; the other point highlights area's like her face and makes the background a more vibrant white.

The 'Clone Stamp Tool', allowed me to copy certain parts of the photograph and position it on other areas. I used this tool to eliminate the scratches that were visible on the box that my model was sitting on.