Some Final Shots (Including Editing)

After thoroughly going through and analysing the raw images, I managed to narrow my selection down to 38 images that could be suitable for the magazine, and so can now move on to the editing process.

Above are some examples of the editing that took place in relation to the preparation of my raw images for the magazine itself:

With this image, I used the Clone Stamp tool to remove the guitar hanger from the wall, as well as the corner of the wall itself. Once this was done, I used the 'curves' tool to adjust the brightness/contrast levels of the image. This image may be used for the double page spread, although it is likely I shall use another.

This is one of my favourite from my photo shoot, however, as clear above, the image was too dark to use as it was. Therefore, I used the 'curves' tool again to make the image brighter and thus useable. This image will be used as a secondary image on the front cover to coincide with the double page spread.

This image had minimal editing. I simply used the crop tool to remove some of the excess on the left and yet again used the 'curves' tool to make the image brighter. 

For this image, I cropped around the edge of the record, as the rest wasn't useful. Upon realising the record itself was not straight, I slightly adjusted the angle of the object to make it more suitable for the use in mind on the cover, even though this could be done when placing the object.

Magazine Photo Shoot

Prior to the main shoot of my magazine, I took photographs of some of a friend's Vinyl collection, these will likely be featured on the contents page as a competition or giveaway in the magazine.

Around 10 days prior to the main shooting day, I arranged with the owners of Sound Affects music shop in Ormskirk, use of the premises, in particular their recently built recording studio. This would allow me to take appropriate photographs for the pretense of the featured 'band' creating their 'new album' that shall feature as my double page spread. I ensured that all of the participants were available on the agreed date, and that I had access to or possession of appropriate props and outfits, as well as a list of ideas that of what sort of pictures I wanted. One of the participants is a photography student and so allowed me to use his DSLR camera for the photo shoot, meaning that I could achieve higher levels of quality for my images. In total I took 221 photographs, as this would give a broad range to choose from, and I had to make the most of the time I had on location.

Although there were many pictures that had insufficient lighting, came out blurred or other defects, there are several that I believe have turned out very well and should fit perfectly into my magazine. There were some issues with lighting in the studio, as it wasn't as bright as I would have liked it to be, and some limitations arose when trying to focus the camera from the control room looking into the studio. However these were only minor, and can mostly be overcome in the editing process using Photoshop. On the whole, my participants and I enjoyed the shoot, with it proving quite effective with some very pleasing results.

Music Magazine Mockups

Front Cover

Contents Page:

Double Page Spread

Release and Risk Assessment Forms for magazine

Below are the release and risk assessment forms for my main photo shoot. These ensured that any potential hazards could be dealt with, as well as supplying the details of the participants.

Magazine Title Evaluations

Zerstören: After much deliberation, this shall be the name of my magazine. Zerstören is the German translation of 'destroy', a word I had played around with when thinking of words that could be related to the Metal genres. I believe that this title is suitable for a metal magazine for several reasons, with one being that Zerstören is a song from German Industrial Metal band Rammstein. I personally believe that the word is aesthetically suitable for a masthead, it also holds connotations of power, aggression and complexity, sourced from both the definition of the word itself and the associations of the German language.


Poison: This was another name for the magazine that I came up with during the mind-mapping process. The word 'Poison' immediately produces ideas of harm, toxicity and other perceivably dark things that are associated with Metal genres. However, I decided that it wouldn't make a suitable masthead, choosing Zerstören instead.

Titanium: This was a third idea came up with for the name of my magazine. Titanium, to me, brings connotations of strength, power, durability and force. Being a metal used in the construction of tanks, I believe its earned such associations. For that same reason, it makes a suitable name for a Metal Music Magazine, not only for that, I also think that 'Titanium' would make a good mast head for aesthetic reasons. However, I decided not this as the name of the magazine, as I believe the word could be tied to the Hip-Hop genres, making Zerstören, amongst other reasons a more suitable Metal Magazine masthead/name.

Mood board of the Metal Genres

This is a mood board for the Metal genres, consisting of bands, artist and other things that are generally associated with Metal. I have predominantly focused on the areas of the genres that I listen to myself as it provides me with a broad image of what sort of things i would want in a Metal music magazine if i were to buy it (which aligns with with my target audience). Some of the images may also help me to decide on the outfits for the fictional bands/artists of my music magazine.

Ideas for the name of my Music Magazine

Above is a mind map of some inspiration for choosing a title for my music magazine. It includes words that are often associated with the metal genres, as well as some bands and artists (including song titles) that may provide some inspiration for the name of my magazine.

My Target Audience

My music magazine's primary target audience shall be both males and females aged between 16-30 who are passionate about the metal genres. I believe that fictional and established bands that are featured within the magazine will equally attract a variety of Metal fans, without favouring a particular sex. The target audience will enjoy seeing mainstream bands at large arenas, but will still keep an eye out for any new and upcoming bands that may be worth seeing in smaller, more intimate venues. They will be the sort of person who spends their money on going to concerts, buying band merchandise and investing in the latest album of one of their favourite bands. My Audience's favourite music may include that from bands such as Rammstein, Slipknot, Bullet For My Valentine or shock artist Marilyn Manson, as well as iconic classics such as Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath or Metallica. Some will prefer smaller bands such as Cancer Bats, Turisas or Airbourne. It is important that I reach quite a broad spectrum within the Metal genres and their fans as there are currently few established Metal magazines, and thus I have to ensure mine is comparable, both in quality and audience.

My choice of music genre

I have chosen to base my music magazine on the genres of metal. Therefore, i shall create my magazine using codes and conventions found in magazines such as Kerrang! and MetalHammer to ensure i attract my target audience. Also, my personal experience in relation to metal genres shall help me to produce an overall high quality end product.

Editing (Photoshop)

In preparation for editing my own photographs when making my magazine, we were taught how to use some of the tools and features that photoshop has to offer. The photographs below consist of cropping, changes to contrast/brightness, and examples of the spot heal and clone stamp tools.

Original:

Cropped:

Original:

Increased Brightness:

Original:

Spot Healing Tool:

Original:

Colour Isolation:

Original:

Clone Stamp:

 

Using photoshop was a totally new experienced as I had never used prior to lesson. Most of the actions above were relatively easy to complete, but although the clone stamp tool is not necessarily difficult to use, it can take time to create an effective, realistic look (depending on the image of course).

I will most definitely use all of the features shown above when it comes to creating my music magazine, especially crop, colour isolation and clone stamp. I believe combining these three tools can create a very effective image that will make my magazine better and help me to efficiently reach my target audience.

Key Terminology

Buzz Words: 'exclusive' 'wow' 'free' 'new' etc.
House Style: The unique and recurring design of a magazine that distinguishes it from others.
Puffs: A box designed to attract the attention of the reader, promoting features of the magazine.
Strap Line: A slogan or sentence that may reoccur.
Banner: Text upon a coloured background to stand out as much as possible.
Anchorage Text: The way text helps to define a picture or vice versa.
Copy: The main story/article of the magazine.
Pugs: Normally positioned in a top corner, the price, logo or an advertisement is placed here, known as the 'ears' of the page.
Motto: A memorable phrase that is recognisable to a brand.
Headline: Distinctive title for the main article of the magazine.
Sell Line: Text that is on the front cover to help sell the magazine to the reader.
Caption: Description of the main image.
Masthead: Name of the magazine.
Lead: The introductory paragraph to an article, usually written in bold or capitals etc.
Drop Capitals: The extra large letter that starts an article.
Bleed: The extension of an illustration past the type area to the edge of the page.
Folio: The page number, date, name etc given to the periodical of each page or spread.
Break of the Book: The allocation of space for articles, features and all material printed in the book.