Lighting

This video helps me to understand how the lighting and where it is can change the way your face looks. I can consider this within my main image photography as there will be a more appropriate lighting for the different magazine genre. Video sourced from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgpeoWpO9w

From photos that I have taken I can see the difference of lighting through these two pictures. For my magazine I think it would be better to use dark, hard lighted photos as this looks more appealing to my audience, with the connotation of darkness. I think also using hard dark lighting is better as it is clearer for the audience to see the photo. However I do want to try and experiment with lighting when it comes to my photos. I think that using soft lighting will help if we are in a dark area, or we are under shade, this is so it is clearer to see the models in the shot. And the dark/hard lighting will be used when it is very bright and the camera is less able to see the models in the frame. 

Photo Planning

I have create a collage of different main images of rock magazine front covers. This is so I can start to understand what is the most appropriate angle, position, shot and location in which I should use for my own main image. I have found out that:

• Most of the images are mid shots, with the exception of some close ups and long shots
• Most of them are planned, like they have been put in a studio, not a concert
• There is no smiling or happy expressions on their face, either angry or mutual. 
• Majority of the models are men
• Some have tattoos or different features on their body/face

I can consider these ideas when I complete my photographs. I can either follow or challenge key conventions as it will be down to what my audience want me to include on my front cover, therefore if they disagree to the style and conventions of my photos I can change them as this will be for them. 

Treatment Plan.

Here I have created a treatment plan to understand what I want on my magazine, who it is for and what it will be called. This will help me start to get an understanding of the next steps I need to do to create my magazine. It will also help me be specific about what I want to include to help make this magazine a success.

Drawn front covers/ Contents page-My ideas

This drawing was my first, I tried to include the use of my layouts and ideas for my main image. I think that the headline is appropriate for a headline but the anchorage text could be more clearer. The Coverlines are ideas from existing magazines, but I will come up with my own once I am creating my magazine. I think including thumbnail images are appropriate to advertise freebies and extras to the audience which will reel them in more.

I think the main image is effective as you can see exactly what the institution wants the audience to see. But I think the facial expression could be different as it was supposed to be her shouting angrily, not smiling. Also the background of the main image could be edited to black so that all of the coverlines, main image and masthead stand out.
I feel the banners are effective as they give a little bit more information to reel in the audience.

This design was the second design I drew, I thought decided I should experiment with my designs to see which would be the most appropriate. I used a different designed masthead as I thought using one colour could look more bold. I also like the idea of having the main image cover come of the masthead as it changes the look and follows the conventions of a rock magazine.
I think it is a successful idea to have a thumbnail image on the side advertising a part of the magazine, it can appeal to the audience more as they can see more of what is inside which could interest them. However, using coverlines as a whole I think I did not include enough, as it looks bare and not as realistic.
Using a pullquote as my headline makes the audience feel it is more reliable for the audience as the institution has gone out and found this information.
I do not think using a slogan is going to be effective for my magazine as it is not going to reel in the audience and is not a key convention on a rock magazine. However if the slogan was on the banner it may look better but not a slogan but more of a fact such as 'best rock magazine 2015' will make the audience feel more comfortable picking this magazine up, more than any other on the shelves.
I think having a puff is effective for this, to state it is a special edition, making the audience want to read it as it is limited. The colour scheme is effective as they contrast well and none of the colours dominate each other.

This is my final design in which I think is the most effective design, which I will highly consider to follow the conventions of when creating my final design. I think that the main image will be very effective as there is a clear background to make it more detailed and using more models on my main image is showing creativity and makes it more exciting to look at. I think there are a lot of different coverlines but maybe I should use a few more to make the audience hooked as there is a lot of information for them to read.
The headline is ideal as it is stative and bold, the anchorage text links in well but could be considered unclear to read so I would have a yellow background and black writing for this part of my magazine front cover. I think it is more appropriate using thumbnail images at the bottom of the page as this is where less detail is included on the front cover.

 These images are my two contents pages which I will consider for my magazine. I think having a writers commentary underneath will show that this magazine has a more personal touch to show that the writer really wants to be a part of the social group. Depending on which colour I pick for my front cover I will continue with for my colour scheme of my contents page. I have put all of the contents on the side as it will look boring having just words in the middle of the page so I decided to include an image on the side to make it look more interesting. I will also make sure there is a theme creating throughout the pages, therefore the masthead fonts must be the same.

My magazine layout ideas- Front cover and Contents page

 I think this could be considered an appropriate layout for a rock magazine, as there is a lot going in, which is similar to many rock magazine front covers. I also think that many rock magazine front covers consist of thumbnail images which promote freebies such as posters. This will attract my audience more. I have also added a slogan which could be more appealing to the audience as it is catchy and helps the public to understand what type of magazine genre this is. 

This font cover I thought was creative and would appeal to my audience as it would include a lot of information. Having the headline to the side will help the audience to be able to see the main image better which is the main attraction for my audience. I also think having this banner will be able to promote features inside of the magazine in which the coverlines can't. Also I have shown that the main image will cover some of the masthead which is a common convention within rock magazines. 

I think is the most organised layout between the three front covers I have created, it will show a lot of different features but will all be in appropriate places in which fit the conventions of a rock magazine front cover, whilst being able to see every feature. This front cover will look the busiest and includes a lot of different conventions which will attract the audience in a different way. The headline and anchorage text will show that it is clearly linked to the main image but will still be easily visible. Also having different coverlines will help to show different information without the audience thinking it is linked with the other coverline.

This coverline obeys many conventions from a rock magazine as it will also be enhanced due to the colour scheme and images. However having a busy contents page, carries the connotation of rockers (the audience) have a busy life. Also having other images such as bands will help show what is yet to come within the magazine issue. I think what could be improved on this contents page is to add more subheadings as this is not giving enough information to the audience of where certain parts of the magazine are located. 

This contents page has a slightly different approach to the conventions. This is because not many of the contents pages have synopsis' of the coverlines. This I feel will excite the audience more as this may be a major piece of information that the audience have been waiting to read, which appeals to the audience more. I also think that the main image should not be covered as much as it would on the front cover, this is because the main image is more likely to be detailed and could contrast badly to the colours of the subheadings, making it hard to read. 

The contents page has been inspired by the image on the right. This is because this is a very well laid out contents page as all the features are clear, easy to read and interesting as the headings are larger than the text below to reel in the audience. Also using a quote can help to appeal the audience due to the quote being linked to the image above, giving more information on the chosen article.

 This is a layout of my double page spread for my magazine. I think this is the most simplistic layout in terms of conventions as the main image will dominate the whole two pages but the text will go in a bolder colour over the top to make it easier for the audience to read it. I think this is a good layout as it will make the audience think there is a lot of information where as it is actually spread out over 4 different columns.

This is a double page spread which I will highly consider with my magazine as I think is the most creative and helps me to be able to experiment with photography and camera shots to see which is most appropriate. However I think it would look better if I included another column or two as I think my target audience would not like it as much if there is little information about the article. 

 This double page spread is one I can consider if I have a very large story or if it is an interview as there will be a lot to write. I could also change the quote from being at the top to the middle of the columns to change the visual for the audience. I think this is less likely to promote a rock magazine as it is not that creative but with the right images and text could look very effective.

Improved Masthead design

From my audience research and feedback on my masthead designs, I have created a new masthead which should appeal to all of my audience. People thought that the style of the font should consist of this style but I feel they preferred a grey and red coloured font. This is because it could connote blood. Which is a word linked to the genre and audience. When I create my magazine I think I will use this font but make it sharper using fireworks.