Time Managaement

Here is a photo of me whilst completing work to put onto my blog. My blog is updated weekly and is kept up to date by using posts to record every task I do. As the above photo was taken, I was working on my practice images to help me think about camera angles and different shots for my final magazine.

Practice Images

I think it is extremely important that I understand exactly what photos I want to take to include on my magazine, and how I want them to look, therefore I have taken various practice images to prepare myself. A few of my class friends joined me to take different shots in order to capture images suitable for the front cover, contents and double-page spread.

Examples for a double-page spread

I have also included images of how photos shouldn't look, as it is important to get them right in order for my magazine to look professional. On various images the models eyes are closed, suggesting they weren't ready for the photo making them look very unprepared. Also the bottom left image shows how important lighting is as the full of my models face has been blocked by a shadow.

Examples for a front cover


Examples for a contents page



`I have also taken  few natural looking shots, which could be included in my magazine, mainly on my contents page. Both images could be used to advertise the magazine, including the online website due to the image of the computer.

Font Ideas

Photo-Shoot Planning

I would like my photography to have an inspiring impact upon the reader as I would like the fashion element of it to stand out and influence the audience to want to look like my model. I think photography in a fashion magazine is extremely important in order to advertise different styles which may appeal to my audience. For my magazine I have planned to photograph my friend, Hannah. I have also started to think about angles and shots I could use to make the most of of the photos. I have discussed the photo-shoot with Hannah to make sure she is happy with it and to see If she had any further questions about it although she seemed more than happy to begin with it as she is comfortable around a camera.

I haven't yet decided whether I will be including props in my photographs although I feel as if i won't really need them as my models costume should be the main focus rather than anything else.

I will make sure I choose the right colours to appear in my photographs in order for them to match with the colour scheme of my magazine. I will need quite a natural lighting when taking my photographs, although I may also take some in quite a dark room with a flash on to see which I prefer.

My shoot will take place downstairs in my house near a large window, for natural lighting. When editing my photo I will then remove the background of my photograph and choose an appropriate colour.

My model will be dressed in a summery outfit with bright, glowing makeup to fit in with the season. My model is interested in makeup and beauty therefore has no problem experimenting with how she looks for the shoot.

Marking Criteria for Research and Planning

Today, during my media class, the group participated in helping and marking each others blogs by comparing them to the criteria of what we should be including in our work. We were put into pairs so that we were marking someones work that we haven't yet seen, where we then ticked off each piece of work that our partner had completed. This task helped me a lot as it encouraged me to identify what I haven't yet included in my blog and what I need to improve on and add to get a higher mark. Below is the sheet that my partner marked in order to show me what I have and haven't yet done. She started by ticking Level 3 therefore skipped levels 1 and 2.

Photoshoot Shot List

As I will be starting my photo shoot very shortly, I think it is important that I plan what shots I will need for my magazine so that I can refer back to this post and make sure I have got all of the  images and angles that I want to be included. I will make sure I have a variety of different shots varying from extreme close ups to mid shots to make the magazine look more interesting, by including a bigger variety of image positions.

I think that an extreme close-up would look really effective on my magazine as it shows a lot of detail in the shot. Personally, I would use this type of shot to capture an eye or lips to show off the models  makeup as my magazine is related to appearance.

I also think that a close-up image would look good on my magazine as it shows slightly more of the model (hair, face, neck/shoulders) although you can still see fine details on the image. This type of shot would therefor allow me to show off my models face and hairstyle at the same time.

I have decided on definitely using a mid-shot as my front cover image on my magazine. I think it will be perfect it as you can see a lot of the models outfit, which is important for my magazine as it is specifically about fashion. A mid-shot also allows you to still be able to identify the models face and hair/makeup which will further appeal to the audience.                                          

Target Audience

Gender- Female

Age Group- 18-30

Characteristics- My audience will enjoy going shopping, buying new clothes and searching for all of the new fashion trends. They will therefore most likely be getting some sort of income in order to buy what they are looking for. They may also have a interest in social media such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in order to socialize with their friends and share pictures. As my target audience is 18 and above, they will also enjoy going out for a drink and meeting up with friends for a day out.

I will gratify my target audience by including pictures, text, fashion ideas and inspiration that they will want to look at. I will make sure I include interesting sell lines on my front cover page and a striking, bold main image and masthead to immediately attract my audience and make them want to buy the issue.

In my magazine, I think the audience would most likely want to see articles including the latest trends, fashion advise, models, images etc. therefore I will include as much of these as possible to interest my reader.

Website Reconstruction

Finally, I have reconstructed the homepage of VOGUE website. I think this web page looks effective as it looks very simple, partially by the use of monochrome colours, which is also matched with the very natural looking model. the page looks very elegant and tidy which makes it easy for the audience to find what they desire on the website. The plain colours also highlight the models clothes, which is vital as VOGUE is all about fashion! As the main article on the webpage is about 'how to wear fluff', I dressed my model in my fur coat to create the same effect as in the original. I also concentrated on making 'VOGUE' and 'WAYS TO WEAR: FLUFF' the most bold and outstanding pieces text on the page as these will appeal to the readers.

Billboard Reconstruction

I have chosen to reconstruct a Dolce&Gabbana billboard advertisement. I chose to reconstruct this particular one as I think it looks simple but effective as the only text it includes is 'Dolce&Gabbana' which is important so people remember the brand. I also think the model looks intense and high fashion which looks really good and mysterious against the dark black background. I have tried to duplicate the image by dressing my model in a fur coat and sunglasses, which the model in the original magazine is dressed in. I also used photoshop to edit out the background to the photo I originally taken to create a black background and make them look more similar.

Double Page Spread Reconstruction

For my double page spread reconstruction I went for a slightly more complicated design from Vogue. I chose this article to recreate as the main image caught my attention as it is very intense and striking. I also thought it would be more interesting being able to use a prop (sun hat) and bright blusher to match the picture. I am happy with the way my double page spread has turned out as I think my models facial expressions look very similar to the original and the text looks more or less the same.

Contents page Reconstruction

For my contents page I have chosen to reconstruct a Glamour magazine. I liked this design as the masthead stands out really well which will immediately catch the attention of the magazines audience and make it more memorable and unique. I started off by showing and explaining the pose of the original model to my model so that we could get it as similar as possible on my re-construcation. I then edited the photo in black and white so that it matched the other image. For the text, I used 'Dafont' again which helped me find a font similar to the original 'Glamour' masthead. I then chose colours which were extremely similar to keep the scheme the same. I enjoyed reconstructing this magazine as it has a simple but effective looking layout.

Front Cover Reconstruction

I have chosen to reconstruct the front cover of an ELLE magazine as I think this specific cover looks extremely eye-catching and intriguing due to the close up of the model. My friend, Ellie, agreed to be photographed for my re-construcation and I think she was the perfect model for it as she looks very similar to the model in the original magazine due to her dark hair and eyes. Her facial expression is also very similar to the original along with them both being a close up direct shot. I then tried hard to get the font and positioning of the text similar by using a website called 'Dafont' and looking at different styles of text. I am aware that my models hair is slightly flatter in my reconstruction, making the background to the text look a bit less visible, although I have tried to position the text so it can still be read despite the white text and white background. Overall I think there could be changes made to improve on my re-construcation although as a first draft I think it works well and doesn't look overly different.