For photography research I am going to research into different images used for front cover, contents page and double page spread of a magazine; I will be doing this to help me take images for my own magazine.
Front cover;
WE LOVE POP magazine have used a medium close up image for their front cover I particularly like the way the artist 'Rihanna' is only on the right of the page; this gives room to add additional magazine conventions such as feature stories, the main story and more images. Rihanna is looking directly at the camera which will draw the reader in as she looks like he Is looking directly at them. The magazine corresponds to the image and uses colour which will stand out against the main image. Rihanna is wearing white and this represents innocent and this links to the main feature story as it mentions ’rude girl gone to far?’ A white background is used and this makes her stand out on the front cover. For this image a 'Key' and 'Fill' light have been used so that the artist face is highlighted and is more prominent.
This has helped influence my own choices for my magazine as it gives me an idea to place my artist on the right hand side of the cover so that it creates room on the cover for me to add my feature stories and main story.
Q magazine have used a close up on their magazine front cover; they have positioned the artist to place her hands on her face this gives a more Vogue type of shot where the focus is on the face and the make up. Q have used the artist hair as a type of background which makes the feature/ main stories stand out on the magazine. The image on the front cover also reflects the main story which is "I feel so alone" her expressions shows she looks lost and alone. For this image a 'Key' and 'Fill' light have been used so that the artist face is highlighted and is more prominent.
The image has influenced me for my own image by using a close up for my own front cover image by using a close up of my own artist and perhaps use their hair as the background of the magazine as this will look quirky.
VIBE magazine have used a medium close up on their magazine front cover; they have positioned the artist (Usher) in the centre of the page this connotes that he is the centre of attention in the magazine. Usher is holding up his wedding finger showing his wedding ring this links to the main feature story "Married with vengeance". The photo that has been used has not being taken in a studio as we can see from the background used it looks like a natural surrounding.
This image has influenced me for my own image as to have my artist have a certain body language which will link with the main feature story also I may take pictures in other locations rather than in a studio so this would give it a different background of the magazine as this will look individual.
Contents page;
NME have used 8 images in total on their contents page. They've have placed the main story image in the centre of the page so that the target audience knows the page number and pull quote to engage them in, the artist isn't looking at the reader and is looking of the page this image will correspond to the main image on the front cover this photo has not been taken in a studio as we can see the artist looks like he's at a concert/gig. The smaller images used on the contents page shows the reader who/ what the stories are about, most of the artist are not looking directly at the audience. All NME magazine contents page look the same and are ionic to the magazine.
This contents page has influenced me for the images I will take for my contents page as I want to add plenty of images to break down the amount of text that will be needed on the page I also want to add images from different locations rather then have all imaged taken in a studio by doing this it will looking appealing to the readers.
MOJO have only used one image for their contents page and the framing of this shot is medium longshot. They may have only used one image because their target audience is for older adults who doesn't mind reading text. The image has been placed to the right of the page and the artist 'Florence' is not looking at the reader she is looking of the page. The photo used has been taken in a studio we can tell this from the plain background. The plain background makes Florence hair stand out on the page and also the red and white font because of this it makes it eye catching for the readers.
This contents page has not really influenced me to have just one image on my contents page as I believe that the contents page looks very boring so therefore I will be using more than one image as it will be more suitable for my audience.
Q magazine have used 6 images in total for their contents page. We can see that the main artists are the people on the photo where it has the page number 76 we know they are the main artist because the photo is larger than the others used, we can see that the artists are a band as musical instruments are used in the image. 2 of the images used are images of double page spreads used in the magazine this will engage the readers as to what's involved in the magazine. There is a photo of the artist Adele this photo has been done in a studio we can see this from the background used also the image has been Photoshopped so that her head over laps the photo above her. The photo at the bottom has been taken at a gig as the photo looks like he's performing due to the microphone and guitar. There is also a photo of the front cover of the magazine so that it reminds the audience of what's involved in the magazine. Because a lot of images have been used it shows that the magazine is aimed at a younger audience as they prefer to see more images and less text.
This contents page has influenced me for when taking images for my contents page as I will add plenty of images and this will be appealing for my audience also I will consider using a variety of different locations when taking them like in a studio or at a gig. Also I think I will add images of previous front covers and images of double spreads that are included in the magazine.
Double page spread;
Q magazine have used one image for their double page spreads. The image used is on the left hand side of the page and takes up a full page, the artist is centre frame and the framing of this shot is medium close up also the artist is looking directly at the audience this will grab the readers attention. Some of the artist hair has been cropped out at the top of the image this could link how big and bold the artist is. The image has a special effect as it is in black and white this conotates that the artist likes to be different from other people and have an edge about her because the photo is black and white it makes the large
'L' stand out on the page therefor it links us to the text in the article. The image has been shooted in a studio as we have a plain/ blank background. A 'key' light has been used so that it highlights her face. The costume for this artist is not shocking as for the people who know the artist 'Lady Gaga' she likes to be wild and be different from others.
I like the idea of having a medium close up shot being used so the artist isn't lost amongst the rest of the double page spread like the text. I also like the idea of using a special effect on a image so it gives the double page spread a quirky side.
NME magazine double page spread have used 2 images involved with the story. The main image is a medium shot and it takes up one full page and is positioned next to the main story, the artist is looking directly at the reader to draw their attention to his looking stern faces also he looks serious so this conotates that the story is serious. Props have been used such as alcohol and jewellery which is ionic to the artist. They have used a brick orange looking background which is then set the colour scheme for the double page spread which is orange and white. The second image used Is positioned in the bottom right hand corner and is an image of the artist on tour.
I like the idea of bringing a colour from the initial image across onto the main story as I feel it brings continuity to the double page spread. I also like the idea of having two images on the page to break up the text and also it will keep the audience engaged as they would get bored if the article just contained text.
Unfortunately I don't know which magazine this double page spread has come from but four long shot images have been used for this double page spread. Here we can see that each
of the group member has had a photo-shoot taken separately then all the images photo shopped and added to gather to create a look of one images. The opacity has been lowered on 3 of the members so that one of the stands out this could show that he's the main member in the group or that the article is about him. All of the members are wearing either black, silver or gold this then sets the colour scheme for the double page spread. Will.i.am is wearing mainly gold so again this could tell us about his position in the group and also that he is a big value in the music industry.
I like the idea of changing the opacity of people to show the importance of them and also I like the idea of wearing certain coloured clothes to set a colour scheme.
