2. Throughout my evaluation I am going to look at the steps I followed in order to achieve my
finished product. It will analyse the ways in which I did this and also how I managed to
successfully reach my overall aim of representing the ages of 18-21. I'll look at the main
aspect in the process and personally evaluate each section with relation to how this
sucessful I was in this section, how this section helped my process and how I feel about
these certain sections.
Evaluation
3. Research Management.
My research gave me a clear idea of what style magazine wanted to create- a social culture
magazine featuring documentary photography. This clear understanding of what I wanted to
create was due to being inspired by a few well known photographers and a social culture
magazine called '93 magazine'. A Manchester based magazine with a niche target
audience, it was aimed at young people living in Manchester and was produced by a small
group of creatives who wanted to give those of Manchester a voice. This influenced my
magazine greatly with having a magazine that was representing a group of people. From
this I decided to base my magazine on representing my own generation(generation Z) 18-
21 year old's because I had the best access to them, them being my peers.
One photographer in particular, Corinna Day, inspired my decision greatly with her natural
settings which are portrayed throughout my project as a whole. I wanted the people in my
magazine to appear(which they were)in their own surroundings which also each individual
was accustomed to.
4. Research Management
This was a major task in achieving the documentary style photography successfully.
Looking into vogue was due to my first thought and idea of creating a fashion magazine but
after finishing research and moving onto my planning I knew what direction I wanted to take
and that was a new one something id never done before, a social culture magazine.
Reviewing magazine covers gave me the idea of a simplistic and minimal cover. What I
believed would suit my style magazine was a very basic yet capturing image. This idea
came from 'LOVE' and 'POP' article covers, having the one focal point meant it grabs your
attention, I also noticed that a few of their recent covers had been in very natural
surroundings which I pulled things from. Following my research I had a very clear overview
of what I wanted it to become, the aundience I wanted to aim for and the overall effect I
waned to create.
5. Planning.
My planning process allowed me to visually process elements such as polaroid film/images,
compostion of those images and also basic structure to my magazine. After conducting a few
production experiments, I loved the affects of polaroid images as the focal image style
throughout my magazine. This decision came from realising the effect of polaroids works with
my magazines representations and also adds to the aesethic of a quirky and unique style of
my photography magaizine. First of all I planned all the shoots I had in my thoughts that I knew I
wanted. I planned shoots to focus on individuals personalities and interests and also general
things and interests of those within generation Z. After planning every shoot as particular as I
could, which I did find difficult. I found this difficult because I wanted most of the photography in
my magazine, to be in the style of doctumentary photography, and therefore couldn’t plan certain
images but I could only plan to observe certain people at a certain location. After planning each
shoot as detailed as I coukd I began draying basic layouts of my magazine to get an idea of
design and structure. I also planned out my cover image and ddrew two versions opf what I
wanted. I then planned out the contectual paged through my magazine becayse even though my
magazine was primarily photobased I wanted some context so the reader had some clarity with
what its about and theres no second guessing. I finally planned colour schemes and style of
text, I knew this would help later on when it came to production as I knew It would take a long
time to edit the images so therefore planning these aspects ahead saved time in production.
6. Instax
When evaluating my decision on creating an install edition of a magazine I wouldn’t change
it at all. I like how polaroid photography allowed me to grow and learn as a photographer. I
felt myself becoming more thoughtful and careful with each shot that I took, due to the
expense on film however this gave me a more thoughtful mindset when shooting.
The weakness with my process of editing was to scan the polaroid's and upload them onto
photoshop, although I did manage to edit the levels of the images to define the details so
that the quality was perfect. However I did decide to swap quality for some of the images
which appeared quirky as it suited them better. I made this decision because of my new
personal interest in polaroid photography and I wanted to explore this. Also being the age
20 myself I thought this was more likely to grab the attention of my peers and the quirky
design was intended mainly to make them want to read it.
7. Instax
Another negative to using polaroid images as my main design element was excluding most
of the experiments that I did, this was because I just didn’t believe they fitted in with my
magazine and that if I had used any new editing styles it may have tarnished the effect.
however if I were to do this same project again I think I would have felt more confident trying
out a different range of styles and themes.
With completion of my production I was happy with my project , I liked my layouts and I
loved the aesthetic look. I do think though that because I was new to not just the style of
photography but also the camera itself, timing was tough due to learning the ways to use it.
With more time on my hands I think I would have created a few practice shoots just to make
it less stressful. I believe from what I learned and what I produced I can leave this module
feeling successful.
8. Layout-Changes
Halfway through my project I decided to change a few of my layouts. As you can see below
the changes I made, such as straightening up images and simplifying, then made my
magazine link together making it easier on the eye. This is because there is now a focus to
the pages rather than the images and illustrations being erratically spread everywhere.
Another aspect I changed was the use of grids across all my pages this allows my points of
focus to become clear. I was then able to achieve a quirky layout which consisted of
simplicity and held a constant flow.
Before < > After
9. Before < > After
Before < > After
Before < > After
Before < > After
10. Time management
Throughout my whole project time management has been an ongoing issue due to my other
responsibilities. I found it difficult to stay on top of schedule when also working 25-38 hours
a week, however I have managed to find enough time somehow. This project in particular
was hard as I needed time off work which meant I also had to find a way to spend quality
time with my peers who featured in my magazine, this I found almost impossible.
Also with not having the experience like I previously mentioned with polaroid photography I
needed time to trial and error with the device. And learn the ways in which it worked. I have
considered the fact that if I was able to have more time with modules it would have changed
my project ideas as I could have focused on more aspect in more detail.
11. Aim
Overall I believe I achieved my aim in representing my generation, (generation z) the ages
of 18-21. Throughout my work I have portrayed a balanced representation of different
characters and personalities of this particular generation, which meant bringing to light that
were all different and spend our time doing a variety of things yet we go through such
similar experiences whilst growing up. To achieve my aim I organised with friends and
family(of the ages between 18-21)photoshoots and day trips, where I took photos in the
style of the documentary photography which I followed.
I decided to do this so that I could capture my peers doing what they do best, acting their
age. These were genuine and honest moments that I managed to catch making them seem
believable when seen on the page, this is why I knew I wouldn’t be able to fully plan out my
images and that I would just have to observe behaviour's and go off what I found saw and
heard.
12. Aim
I also added each name to the individuals page which allows the reader to get a personal
overview of the people featured inside. I also added a couple of significant quotes and
doodles that best represented that person in question this meant there was an equal flow
between the people in my magazine, I added this for another personalised touch.
With many of my layouts I tried focusing on the design based on the likes and interested of
the individual, for example Charlie is obsessed with his car so I have captured him in his
car-his most comfortable place. Tom and Jake are gamers and I caught them playing
games, in their most natural habitat meaning no one in my photos look uncomfortable
everyone is doing what they please.
The people I observed were all completely contrasting to me; this meant I was able to open
my mind to our world and generation as a whole this helped me conclude my aim.
13. Conclusion
However overall I am very happy with my project and feel I represent the ages 18-21 well
with the resources I had. I have learnt many new and different ways and styles within my
work that I shall be able to use in my future projects whether it be at college or not.
14. My long term plans for my career are still
the same but with a wider audience. I
would like to focus on photography or
work with a graphics design company.
I believe during the course of the year I
have believed my skills within photoshop
and editing massively with my work
having a better standard.
I worked alongside two employers with their social media,
taking pictures for them to use on Facebook and instagram.
Both employers weren't media companies, I found it difficult to
locate media companies within my area.
Year Reflection
15. When directing shoots and organising multiple people at once, I found I
deleopved my leadership skills. I was able to manage people and time on the
shoot days succesfully.
Perseverance along side working under pressure is something I've always had
and used to my advantage within the year. With 5 relocations and a hecklic
schedual, I managed to complete the final project with a finished printed
product.
My comminications skills grew within the year due to having to approach
clients and individuals for shoots, I learnt how to approach different people that
I haven't come across before.
