The document discusses planning and analysis for photography for a magazine cover and contents. It describes choosing a female model for the cover to appeal to both male and female readers. Photos were taken of the model in different poses and outfits against various backgrounds with props. The cover photo chosen shows the model elegantly sitting with boxes, evoking style and fashion. Similar photos were used for the contents to maintain consistency. Analysis of existing magazines informed the planning.

1. Planning and
analysis
By Thamina Chowdhury

2. Photography planning –
front cover
• The front cover had to be considered a hugely significant part of the
entire magazine production as the front cover is the main appeal to the
target audience and other readers. To evoke certain connotations of
pure beauty and elegance as well as young style and fashion, I had to
ensure I used the correct style of background, costume and props to
meet the needs of a front cover, including one main image that takes up
the entire space of the front cover that acts as the main feature and
lead for the magazine. Therefore after planning a costume, and make-
up the background had been decided by using a specific location to
take the images, where I could also place the boxes for ‘Amanda’ to sit
down for images of her sitting.
• Everything within the final main image consists of costume, make-up,
props and photograph poses and positions. Therefore organisation
included finding the right location with appropriate background and
lighting to match themes and colours on all aspects of mise-en-scene.
The main planning had begun from the decision to use a female for the
main image, as this links with the target audience I planned to reach
(mostly women as well as men) therefore to evoke interest for men I used
a female to be attractive and for the interest of women I created a
trendy stylish outfit (costume) for her to wear for the photographs
including her make-up.

3. Who I chose and why
• Further to my decision of
choosing this specific person
is because it is a female
which is who I wanted to use
for my main feature also
because she has the
endearing and attractive
features that can be used
for appeal. This decision was
made compared to existing
front cover images and
other photographs I had
taken for experimentation
and to also have a variety
of images to choose from.
• This image that was taken
represents similar
presentations of other
celebrity images on existing
music magazines such as
billboard magazine,
featuring Mary J.Blige which
uses a full body image
which represents simplicity
and elegance for an older
female and male target
audience. The props and costume were decided to create an edgy
yet trendy fashion promotion, therefore I had chosen
that specific ridged skirt, crop top, necklace and shoes.
The props include the boxes in the background which

4. Other examples
• Another example I had looked at was another issue
of billboard compared to Q magazine which
include props and other types of costume specifics
in the main image to evoke different connotations
and meanings.
• Such as the billboard magazine uses a simple
background with an elegant chair in the
background and something placed underneath
Taylor Swift, this is something she is sitting on, which
denotes her simple endearing and adorable and
loving character which suits the ‘woman of the
year’ cover line.
• Compared to Q magazine which uses a plain
background but with black animals to evoke sexy
and dangerous connotations of Lily Allen.
• These existing examples of main images have been
taken into consideration which led me to creating
images with a suitable background with objects
that show trendy and young style of the star
‘Amanda’.
This example main image for
the Q magazine was taken
where this artist is smashing
the ‘Q’ logo with his guitar.
This denotes a wild and crazy
feature of this artist as he is
into rock and the connotation
of him smashing the logo with
his guitar is how he in turn
‘smashes’ his hit songs.
Therefore this research into existing main
images in real magazines, encouraged me
to use a particular style of clothing as part
of costume, specific highlighting and
bright make-up to bring out the female’s
(Amanda’s) features to look more
professional and realistic as well as the
background objects including the boxes
which was used to take photographs of
her in a sitting position which evokes
connotations of, style, elegance, young
beauty and promote inspiration.

5. I had chosen to use this image after the
variety of images I took for the main
image on the left as it had the right pose,
positioning and correct shot type that I
desired for the main image.
Further to the reason for choosing this
image specifically as it evokes certain
connotations and different audiences
might intercept these connotations in a
different way but at the same time be
appealed and attracted to the magazine
as well as the main feature. It has the
right background colour, position, props
positioning and costume presentation all
in one image, therefore I had selected
this image and manipulated some
features on the image on Photoshop to
place onto my front cover.

6. Photography planning -
contents
• The type of shot used for the contents page image was a long shot, this is
so that I could get the model and the background objects into the whole
image. For the editor photo, I used a medium close up shot this is so there
is emphasis on my photo as well as a good distance from the camera.
• The image used for the contents page is similar to the main image for the
front cover, this is similar to images from existing magazines, therefore the
outfit remained the same so there is no confusion or change.
• The ‘costume’ used for the front cover and contents image use the same
clothing, which consists of a stylish skirt with a crop top and trendy heels
as she is acting as a celebrity, therefore style is essential for realism and
eye catching effect for the viewers.
• The organisation for the photographs for the front cover and contents
page included using the same background and same props (objects)
within the image. Make up was also prepared on the star to prepare for
a professional shooting of photographs. The objects in the image were
prepared and planned to have in the background for her to sit on for a
different type of pose.

7. Other images taken for
contents• Another image that
was taken for testing
and experimentation
was this image on the
left
• This was taken in a
sitting position to
capture a different
pose and angle but this
time without a specific
background and props.
• However once all
images were taken, I
decided to use the
other images with the
sitting position as it
looked more elegant
and targeted more
directly to women as
the audience.

8. This photograph was taken which is
very similar to the front cover image
except the tilt of the head defines the
difference between both photographs. I
used this photograph for the contents
page as it is similar to the front cover
and the same background props and
positioning remains which shows
simplicity.

9. Photography planning -
interview
• The double page spread photography planning
included reflecting on what poses, costume, make
up and background should be used. For all these
aspects, a specific background and style was
created to promote style and fashion for a young
audience as well as an older target audience whilst
meeting the needs of a successful interview image
whilst ensuring it matches with the same level of
style and beauty as in the front cover and contents
page.

10. A different type and style of
photograph was taken
including different hair and
make-up style as well as
costume as this has more
colour which stands out in the
plain background. This also
evokes different denotations
of a livelier, simple and
colourful person. This is a full
body picture which is a long
shot compared to the other
photograph taken which was
a mid shot. I experimented
with different shots and
angles to manipulate and test
for the double page spread
image.

11. This photograph was decided to be
used for the final main image for the
double page spread.
This is due to the elements that are
‘repeated’ Steve Neale, from existing
magazines such as many double page
spreads include a structured image
within the page, a suitable and unique
background, style and different appeal
depending on the gender. When it is a
female, they are used as the sexual
appeal and attract the opposite sex as
well as being a style and fashion icon
for female readers.
Therefore the success of this image was
encouraged by many important
features that were taken into
consideration in the planning phase
which include all essential and
successful codes and conventions for an
efficient double page spread image.

12. Front cover analysis
Masthead with colour filling
Magazine website address
Cover lines
Main image
Barcode
Social networking
Logos and promotion
Unique
selling point
(USP)
Price and small
version of masthead
logo
The front cover
contains a consistent
colour scheme that
matches with the
masthead as well as
the cover lines. The
masthead is
positioned across the
top of the page as it is
best suited for this
structure.

13. Contents page analysisIssue date
and number
Masthead logo
at the top of the
page and also
beside the sub
headings
Social networking
links for
promotion
Editorial letter as
well as editor image
with a drop capital
for emphasis as well
as magazine
promotion through
The contents
page follows a
similar
structure to the
front cover
following ‘rule
of thirds’ as
well all codes
and
conventions in
the correct
places.
Comparing the
contents with the
front cover and
double page spread
it can be seen they
are of similar
structure which
shows
professionalism and
realistic production
of work.

14. Double page spread
analysisKl4SH
magazine
follows
throughout
its front
cover,
contents and
the double
page spread a
more
professional
design
limiting its
colours to
specific
colours such
as pink, black
and white This approach comes across as more appealing to both
older and young readers who are looking for a
sophisticated magazine that covers everything.
The main full
image is also
another ‘lure’
for the
audience as
this follows
the design
and format
of the main
image for
front cover
and contents
page.