TA: Research of My Images

Research Of Images 

In these comments I have been told that I have broken a very important rule, the rule of thirds. However, it has been agreed that I have done this successfully and made it work in my favour as the comments suggest, I have managed to balance the focus by using the window 

to split the photo almost perfectly in half and create contrast between the two to form a warm-toned and interesting photo. In reply to this, I agree that I have broken the rule in some ways but the focus is mainly in the top two thirds of the photo so not every aspect of the rule of thirds has been broken in my opinion even if your attention is drawn more to the window, that is still part of the photo and is intentionally placed to challenge your eyes to look at the model instead. With this constructive criticism, I will take on board that my intended focus should be made more clear but as I have broken a rule successfully, my decision for this photo will be to keep and use this image. I have learnt a lot from this and will take this knowledge with me into my practical unit.

This picture was not taken seriously due to the fact that the background of the picture makes it appear as if there is a branch growing out of my head. The tips for this photo was to edit out the tree in the background but overall the feedback for this picture turned out to be incredibly positive. People commented on the contrast created between the clashing colours of green and blue, the canted angle-using the fence as a lead in line and the softness of the photo works very well together. In reply to this, i would use this picture but i would in fact edit out the tree in the background now i have learnt how to do that during one of the photography sessions.

With this picture we decided to experiment with depth of field, using a foreground, mid ground and background but one of the branches of the tree in front of our model is blocking part of her face, many comments were made about this and it has been suggested I edit this picture to remove that particular branch. The use of natural framing has been commented on and this is one thing that we have managed to use and apply successfully, the canted angle is a feature that others seem to really enjoy and like about our picture. In reply to these comments i would most likely keep and use this picture but take the advice given and remove the branch across her face.

Making A Magazine Front Cover 1

Magazine 1

Evaluation

I feel as if I have successfully managed to create contrast between the image, puffs and fonts, giving a certain brightness to a darker and more dull image. The model is looking to camera which is a common convention of magazine covers, her clothing is representative of the target audience as she is dressed very fashionably and many of the members of the target audience will identify with this as they may dress similarly. The model is a young college student as the target audience for this particular magazine is for students aged 16-25 who may be studying in college or university. I feel as if the features of the magazine will attract the target audience as they apply to them directly, offering help with writing a CV and tips on making time for yourself as many of the target audience will struggle with due to the horrid stress of studying. Buzz words have been used to catch the readers eye and attract the target audience, giving them another reason to purchase this particular magazine.

I decided to stick with a similar font throughout, making it a common feature of this magazine as I felt it really linked to the science feature wall as a background and worked well with the overall feel and design of my magazine cover.

My masthead could have been made a lot bigger to stand out from the rest of my text but it is placed on a yellow puff and is in a different font from the rest of my magazine to clearly represent that this is in fact the masthead. I feel this will appeal to my target audience as it is a simple concept for a masthead but also addresses readers concerns about their own lifestyle be it complex or simple, many students tend to lose control of their own lifestyle and forget their own routines and may need help or advice to get back on their feet and regain control of their life after focusing on work and studying and forgetting about themselves.

Similar shapes have been used throughout, yellow rectangular puffs highlight important words and act as plugs for this particular magazine, to draw attention to particular stories or interviews that the target audience may be interested in and encourage them to pick this particular magazine up.

I have successfully managed to create brand identity through the use of synergy by using the same yellow colour throughout, this is featured on the masthead, buzz words and important stories and acts as a feature that people can easily associate with this magazine. If i were to go forward with this magazine i would continue to use this yellow colour so people can easily identify the brand and associate the colour with my magazine.

 To improve my magazine I would experiment with more fonts instead of using the same font over and over as this gets repetitive and may not appeal to the audience as they lose a sense of interest due to the magazine adapting an overall dull feel. I would also improve by making my masthead bigger and more identifiable to increase my chances at creating a brand identity, I would do this by making the font larger and perhaps using the yellow in a less harsh manner. My picture could also be improved by perhaps taking a medium close up and applying more common conventions such as this to my magazine cover.

Selection and Rejection of Photographs 1

Selects

I think this picture is good as I have managed to successfully break a photography rule by allowing the light from the window to cut my picture almost perfectly in half and draw your attention away from the intended focus, while also simultaneously allowing you to appreciate the intended focus of the picture . The lighting is warm and brings out the model's features while creating contrast between the two half's.

I like this close up as I feel the natural background of the grass and tree works well with the colours in my hair but also helps to create contrast between the bright colours in my jumper. The natural lighting and bright sky helps to soften my skin and emphasise the lighter colours and highlights in my hair. the curved lead in line and the fact the picture is in landscape helps to centre your focus on the main image, keeping to the rule of thirds as your attention is drawn to the top two thirds of the image where our main focus is.

This is one of my favourite pictures as we experimented with depth of field using a foreground of  leaves and making them slightly out of focus, the midground,  Abbie being our main focus and the background being a natural background of leaves full of autumnal colours. This really emphasises her body and pose as contrast is created between her clothing and the autumnal colours making her stand out. We also attempted to use natural framing by positioning her between the branches and leaves and intentionally using one of the branches to draw attention to and frame her face. The picture is taken in portrait to include her outfit and accentuate her pose as the camera also leans with her.

Rejects

Some of our experimentation with positioning and diagonals didn't work out quite as well as we had hoped. For example, this image is a reject as the model looks awkward and her pose seems forced, the white background and harsh lighting eliminates her facial features, the shape of the bannister is distracting as the diagonals and lead in lines don't actually  help to lead your eyes to the main focus of the picture, this may be because the picture is in landscape and the shape of the stairs contradicts the focus and shape of the image.

Further experimenting with lead in lines and we ended up with this picture. Although the lead in line is successful, the model is blurred and the light behind her means it is difficult for us to see the details of her face and outline so the main focus of the picture is ruined. One successful aspect however is the fact the picture is in portrait and follows the lead in line almost perfectly. to better this picture i probably would have zoomed in to eliminate the stairs and wall light which is distracting and takes your attention away from the model.

For this photo i attempted a candid shot of the model in action which resulted in a blurry and dysfunctional photograph. the light from the window is also harsh and the rule of thirds is broken but unsuccessfully. the picture is also taken at a tilted angle which is distracting.

The History Of Magazines from EmilyW12

The history of the big issue from EmilyW12