Production Log One: Photography

 

Below are some of the photography I have used for my January edition of the magazine, featuring my model Riya. Using a model of a different ethnicity, I want my magazine to represent as many types of people as possible, making fashion accessible for everyone. 

Since these pictures are for my January front cover, I represented this by the fuzzy jacket worn, indicating the cold weather, alongside the 'brrrr' pose, as if cold and wanting to warm up. 

I took multiple variants of these pictures to get a variety of options to use for the cover and also the contents page and website, creating anchorage. 

I chose to take some of the photos outside, in front of the nature and greenery, to signify the theme of sustainability my magazine has, caring about nature and the environment, my front cover will feature stories educating readers on how to 'wrap up warm' by showcasing a new winter fashion collection from a sustainable designer. I may edit some of these photos to give them a cooler look, as the sun adds an element of warmth to the image

I chose to take a full body shot of Riya to get full view of what she's wearing (as a style magazine) and the background to combine both style and nature in one image.

Here are some photos taken in front of a blank wall, to draw focus to my model instead of the background and what she's wearing; these images I may use in my website to create a sense of anchorage between the front cover content and the website.

These photos on the bench I took as an alternative option for my front cover image, so that I had a choice between options; these images also have an element of greenery to them to signify the embracing of nature and the environment in relation to fashion.

For these images I chose to have my model sit on a bench, in an inviting pose, aiming to draw people in to read the issue.

Here are some images of me taking the photography and directing my model, so that I could represent my artistic vision accurately onto screen.

I also took some close up images of a Christmas tree for my January issue's contents page, which is meant to centre around looking towards the new year whilst reflecting on the winter festivities

Front cover 2 photography 

For my February issue, I wanted to coincide the theme of my front cover with Valentines day, specifically the colloquially coined phrase 'Galentines day', that still celebrates the day without necessarily being related to a relationship

I wanted the shoot to be under the guise of a girls hangout in a coffee shop, therefore took the pictures inside a local cafe, with flowers and bright lights in the background, having similar colours like pink and elements related to the event

For my main cover image, I had a medium shot my model Tegan, sitting down at a table to emulate the idea of having a 'coffee date' with someone, like people would be expected to do on Valentines Day

For props I had her hold up a milkshake, to signify the coffee shop environment, also adding to the 'aesthetic', 'Instagrammable' vibe of the cover, to appeal to the 16-25 audience

For body language, I had her positioned drinking the milkshake whilst holding direct gaze with the camera, a tactic used within magazine covers encouraging people to buy

The lighting for the image is heavily artificial, coming from the bulbs overhead, whilst also coming from the sign on the wall, saying 'the world is your oyster', this bright pink lighting adds a subtle wash of colour over Tegan, enhancing the overall effect of the cover in celebrating the occasion

Costuming wise, I had Tegan wear a burgundy blazer, with a black turtleneck, to give off a formal attire suitable for a coffee date; I also had her wear this to represent a more masculine style, deviating from the stereotypical expectations of women only dressing feminine, whilst also representing that masculine portion of my target audience, whilst the use of a more feminine setting appeals to the female proportion of my target audience

(the image that will be used on the front cover has been cropped slightly, to remove the sign in the background which I was unable to remove due to the location not being personally owned)

I also took some pictures in front of the background, which I will use as a greeting image on my website, to introduce the readers to their editor (these were taken by Tegan under my direction)

For these pictures, I wanted to do some fun and 'cutesy' poses, to indicate the girly hangout vibe my magazine's second issue would have

I chose to wear a heart jumper to signify the theme of love and Valentine's Day for my issue

My makeup choice of pink eyeshadow and lipstick also compliments this, following the typical Valentine's Day colour scheme of pink and red

(this was also cropped)

 I also took an alternate version of the picture in front of the background, which I may use in my magazine's content page or website, however, I largely prefer the first version due to having the full sign visible above

For this image I chose to have my hands held behind my back, turned to the side, to give a more serious, professional feel, aiming to indicate my status as editor of the magazine

I also took a picture of Tegan in front of the wall display, to offer an alternative cover option so I had options to choose from, but also to use in my contents page, creating a link between the cover and contents page

(again, this was cropped to create a mid shot, that gets rid of any unneeded background elements and have a clearer focus on Tegan)

I also took a close up image of Tegan's mikshake, to use in my magazine's content page, to link to a possible article covering food and drink

Here is some photography I have done for my website's linked page, where I aim to showcase upcoming designer's/artist's work.

For this I used two a level art students as models, Elijah and Poppy, in front of their art displays

For the photos, I intended to use one of the barricades as a prop to look like in a real art exhibition where the art is protected, however this was only possible with one of the artworks.

Alongside the photography, I aim to write up a small 'interview' with the artists to get an insight into their creative vision when making their pieces.

For Elijah's photography I had to compromise with the original idea of having one of the 'barrier's in front of his work, due to where his board was positioned between two large desks and benches making the practicality of getting them into the area of the shoot.

 I chose to position them in the centre of their boards, to be the main focus of the image.

The body language connotes formality and confidence, tilted slightly to the side with his head up indicating being proud of his work

For the second image I chose to position him to the side of the boards, drawing attention more to the artwork itself.

Elijah is wearing business attire, to replicate being in a formal environment/mock up 'exhibition' setting.

The lighting is more subtle in these photos using the room's natural lighting, this is partially also due to the spatial issue of not being able to fit any lighting equipment in the space designated for the shoot.

I also believe any additional lighting would've been harsh, especially due to the boards being covered by a reflective surface, which would've made the work itself difficult to see.

For Poppy's photography, the layout was similar to Elijah's; I asked her to be positioned in the centre of the board with her hands clasped together to give a formal stance, drawing the focus of the image to her as the artist.

Poppy is wearing formal attire, to give the feel of being within a professional setting

For the second image, the overall set up is the same, however Poppy is positioned to the side of the image, to draw focus to the actual board of art itself

The lighting of the images is artificial, coming from the lightbulbs already in the room, however an element of natural lighting is present due to being directly next to the large window doors, creating a slight reflection on the board.