3. Inspiration
This is an image from Vibe magazine which
caught my eye because of its simplicity. When
thinking of ideas for my front cover images, I
was initially thinking of complex images which
have to show every bit of the genre. However,
this shows that front cover images don’t
always have to be so complex in the model’s
actions or poses but they can also just let
there photo be taken and that speak for itself,
without having to create an interesting pose.
Another reason for this being my inspiration is
because of the colouring of the cover image.
This issue of Vibe magazine doesn’t follow the
common idea of the photo being its original
colour. An effect of black and white is used
which adds interest and class to the picture.
The close-up also lets the customer focus on
only the model and not other random
components which may distract them on
where to look.
4. Inspiration
I liked this another image from Vibe
magazine because it is an obvious
representation of the genre it
signifies.
The mise en scene is a close-up
shot of the celebrity rapper Jay Z.
This in itself shows that this issue of
Vibe magazine is one with content
of urban music, perhaps of a main
feature of rap.
The attire in which Jay Z is dressed
in also symbolises the urban genre.
He is dressed in a black top, new
era cap with an accompanying
black watch strap (which match
with the colour of the font) and
this, along with his pose symbolise
the genre of the magazine.
5. Inspiration
Another big part of the inspiration of my chosen picture comes from the
hip-hop artist Chris Brown’s video for his single ‘Deuces’. The word deuces
elicits the action of the peace sign which is seen throughout the video of
the song. Chris Brown is a hip-hop artist which is why using his pose from
this video was a major contributing factor in choosing the image I did for
my front cover.
7. Image One
This image is unsuitable because this was my test shot. I took this unexpectedly when the
model wasn’t ready just to see the lighting, my position as the photographer and the
overall quality of the image.
As you can see, the model is still adjusting his prop of the bandana into his trousers and is
not looking at the camera.
The image is also inappropriate because I knew that I wanted to leave space above the
model’s head in order to fit the magazine masthead there.
The way in which I was holding the
camera also makes this picture
unsuitable as I intended to hold it
portrait as opposed to landscape to get
a better vision of how the magazine
would look because it is closer to the A4
layout.
The model’s white vest is also poking
out slightly from under the grey one
which makes the image look unpolished
as it does not pay attention to detail.
8. Image Two
Although not a bad image, the photo is unsuitable to be used for the cover of my music
magazine. This is because I took the picture in a landscape position as opposed to the
desired portrait arrangement and I wanted it this way in order to gain better vision of
how the magazine would look because it is closer to the A4 layout.
I am also not happy with how the bandana is placed in his trousers as I would’ve
preferred it hanging down and not in a loop because it makes the length of the bandana
shorter than what it actually is.
Another factor which led to the
decision of not using this image for the
front cover is the model’s facial
expression. He looks unimpressed and
quite sad and this would be noticeable
to customers who may want to buy the
magazine.
The image is also quite 1 dimensional
as there is not much happening in the
shot which is not very effective of eye-
catching for the customer.
9. Image Three
This image is not appropriate for the cover because firstly, there is not enough space
left at the top of the image in which the masthead would go. Therefore, I would have
to completely change my ideas of the positioning of each component of the front
cover in order to fit around this image.
However, the model’s pose of having him point was my idea in which I would develop
when producing the magazine to have him point at a possible coverline. I thought this
would be effective as it draws attention to that coverline which the customer may not
have originally seen.
Once again, the model’s facial expression
does not look very happy and I feel this
would be an inaccurate representation of
what the magazine is about and could
give negative connotations of the
contents of the music magazine. I think
that the image doesn’t give a
professional look as the proximity of the
model from the photographer (me) was
quite far resulting in a far distanced
photograph.
10. Image Four
This image is highly inappropriate and was taken as another test shot. It is extremely
unsuitable to use as the front cover of a music magazine because firstly it has no
connotations of music in any way and it doesn’t suggest any type of music genre. The
photo was actually taken in order to see how the pose would come out as I wasn’t sure if
the ‘LA’ hand gesture would come out in the correct way or backwards to the person
looking at the magazine. I came up with this idea in order to communicate location as this
is a typical factor rappers and other artists often use as inspiration for their songs and I
have also seen this sign appear in music videos and pictures.
As you can see, the image was taken quickly
inside a home for the sole purpose of
checking the quality of the pose.
To use this image would be extremely
unprofessional as it is clear for the customer
to realise that it was a ‘spur of the moment’
photo that wasn’t intended to be anywhere
in the magazine, but to in fact heighten the
quality of the images that do happen to
appear in throughout the magazine.
11. Image Five
Using this image would be pointless as you can only see a bright, luminous cap and
nothing else. This image doesn’t show any meaning and have any implication of being
music-related. If the potential buyer was to see this image as the front cover of a music
magazine they would be incredibly confused as my friend who saw this image didn’t even
realise that it was a hat, but in fact thought it was a snowman head. There is evidence
that actually shows that this image would be ineffective if it was used.
The reason this image was taken was because I initially
wanted the male model to wear a new era cap in order to
really push the hip-hop genre and make it recognisable
from my photo. The colour of the cap also matched with
the model’s grey vest which would’ve complimented the
colour scheme.
However, because of the dark conditions the photo
shoot was conducted in and the shiny metallic
appearance of the cap, when I took the photo the flash
resulted in this unsuitable product.
From this, I decided to remove the cap from the image in
order to avoid the cap being the focal point of the
photograph and so the model can actually be seen.
12. Image Six
The chosen one
I decided to make this my chosen image because I held the camera in the correct
portrait position as it is eventually how my magazine would come out as. There was
also enough space left at the top of the image in order to fit in the masthead and a
possible strapline/selling line. I also think that this image is dynamic as its more than
just the model standing there.
I tried to add interest with this image by choosing the
alternate model gaze of not looking at the camera. I did
this in order to defy the conventions of having models
face on to the camera and to go against the norm by
having the model looking down. This gives a mysterious
effect and will hopefully make the customer intrigued
and buy the magazine to find out more. The positioning
of the model himself is in a prime location as there is
enough space for the barcode and a number of
coverlines and explanatory text.
Also, having asked a number of my peers what genre is
image suggests the vast majority answered correctly.
13. Alternate Model Gazes
More examples:
Here are 2 examples
from ‘Esquire’
magazine in which
the model is not
looking at the
camera. This shows
that not all models
have to be looking
directly into the
camera in order to
have an effective
end product.
