Examples of the Types of Pictures I Want to Take

Here are some pictures that I found from  'We Love Pop' photo shoots. These represent the types of pictures I want to recreate in my own way. I chose these photo shoots as they are for a pop magazine like mine.

In this picture, we see the band having a laugh. I want to have a shot like this as it presents them as normal people who don't take themselves too seriously. I thought is is effective as relates to the reader and presents the gener as fun based. You can also see the set of the photo shoot, and this gives an impression that the band almost 'recked' the set and again this shows them as fun and relatiable.  

Here we see a girl band and I am using a girl band as my main feature of the magazine. This particular picture shows the group as extremely close by the fact they are all smiling and hugging. This makes them come across as having friendly personalities. The fact they are looking straight in the camera smiling may be interpreted as smiling at the reader which reflects a kind personality. I may use a similar shot in my photos.








Here we see an individual shot of a band member. We see a glimpse into his 'charming' personality. Obviously in the magazine there were pictures of all 5 of the individual and members. I think this is an effective way of showing each individual members personality and people usually have favourites within a group. It is also a way of showing the differences between the band members and their personalities which may appeal to a wider audience. I may do this in my magazine.

Here's an example of the jumping shot that I mentioned in my last post. Obviously my jumping shot wont be into a swimming pool but I am using this as an example in the sense of taking it while they are in mid air. Again this brings the aspect of fun.

Plans for Pictures in my Music Magazine

                                  I have decided that for my double page spread, I am going to include an exclusive interview with a girl band. I am going to ask my sister and her friends to be the girl band. I want the pictures to be uncomplex, so just in front of a white background. This is going to give them a professional look. I am going to ask the girls to dress in trousers and a top of their choice, as I don't them to be too dressed up. I want young girls reading the magazine to relate to them. I am going to photograph them just having a laugh with each other, and looking happy etc. I am planning on two serious shots ;however to reflect how they are serious about their music. I have thought of a shot where they jump in the air and I take the picture while they are in the air. This will then be followed by the caption 'On top of the world.'
                                     As the interview is the main feature of the magzine, it will also be the main feature on the cover. I am unsure of other pictures as of yet, but im thinking of maybe photographing some of my frineds near a window to give the pictures differences. I may also photography intruments, such as drums or microphone to feature on my magazine contents page and to create a logo for the magazine.

Publication Plan

Name of magazine: Total Pop!

Font of name: Cooper Black

Positioning statement: Awarded best popular music magazine in the UK

Frequency of publication: Monthly

Price: £1.99

Distribution: UK- all newsagents

Rationale: (what is the thinking behind the magazine - have you
identified a gap in the market?): I am aiming my magazine at pop music rather than a certain age gap as I have discovered that although there are lots of pop magazines, they are more focused at age range rather than the music

Style: Professional yet fun

Regular content: gossip, what's out, tour dates, interviews, reviews, competiton 

Feature content in your issue: Interview

House style: what font will you use? will it be the same for
articles/headings/captions?: Kept the same for cover, contents and regulars but changes for interviews to relate to the topic

Analysis of my Questionnaire Responses

Questionnaire responses from rebeccamilesmedia
I found exactly what I needed from using my questionnaires. For example, I found a link between what age the person was, to what artist they are most interested in. I also found a link between the age group and the music magazines they read. For example, younger age groups read 'Girl Talk' whilst older age groups read more of magazines such as 'teen now'. This tells me that I need to focus on making my magazine appealing across age groups, as although both this magazines are pop based magazines, they have slightly different audiences in terms of age differences.  I also found that  people interested in pop or rock like to attend concerts whilst people interested in indie prefer the festival vibe. This will come in helpful if i decide on advertising a competition, as i could make attending a concert a prize rather than a festival.

Questionnaire- Target Audience Research

Audience research for future music magazine questionnare from rebeccamilesmedia

                 At the top, I decided to write a summary of the purpose of the questionnaire to inform audience how much help it would be if they filled it out. I also made the questionnaire anonymous as there is more chance that the audience will feel it out more acutely based on their opinions, likes and facts.
                                 The first question i asked was how old are they so I could see if there is a link between age and likes and dislikes. I also included this so the audience know who I am aiming it at so if they're not in that age range they wouldn't feel it out and wont waste any unneeded time. The second most important question i asked as what sort of music they like so I know if i chose the right age range. I used a variety of open and closed questions so I could get a better understanding of what music certain age groups are interested in.
                               Similar to the beginning, I also said 'thank you' at the end after the questions so once again the audience will know how helpful they are being in the process of making my music magazine.

My Music Magazine Moodboard

My music magazine is going to be based on the popular music genre, hence the name 'Total Pop!' I tried to make this come across in my mood board by making it brightly coloured, which I think are associated with pop music. I also included relevant popular artists, and features that will be included.

     I chose to base my magazine on pop music as it is the music I usually listen to and therefore I will be able to know the artists, include features that are usually found in pop music magazines, and also give honest opinions if I decide to give an example of a review.

     In my magazine, I will include; new releases, reviews, gossip, 'get the look' fashion pages, advertisements/posters, and also include exclusive interviews with pop artists.

     I want this magazine to be aimed at anyone who has an interest in popular music. I don't want the magazine to be taken too seriously, as in a want to write it in a friendly tone but still get vital information across. I want people to enjoy reading the magazine weekly whilst still gaining knowledge of their favourite artists, receive opinions on new music, and know up and coming release dates.

Music magazine mood board from rebeccamilesmedia

Introduction to Photoshop

 In my last lesson, I started practising using Photoshop, and I created a film poster (see link) To be honest, I'm personally not all that proud with the finished product, as I had trouble with my desktop. However I do understand what I did wrong and know the basics of Photoshop even though it doesn't show strongly.  
                     Firstly, I added the needed background, and 'Rasterised' the layer. Then I changed the gradient to give it a faded look. I did a similar process to this on the 3 pictures of the actors and the effective image, but I also cropped these pictures so it didn't have a white background, and therefore looking like it blended in. I then added text, which included the title of the film, and the actors names. Then lastly, I added the film credits and the age certificate of the movie.
                    Although it doesn't come across very well, I understood the process and I put the fact of my disappointing work down to the problems I had with my desktop. So in conclusion, I feel relatively confident about using Photoshop in the future.