Photography Planning

1. Photography Planning
Ideas for photographs for each page, including setting, props, costumes, shot types and
composition.

2. Setting
• I want my main cover photo to be taken in a ‘studio-like’ setting so that it has a plain background I
can contrast other items with (e.g. other images or fonts). I would preferably like to take a mid-shot
or close-up (I will take a range and see what works best) as that’s quite conventional for a
magazine. However, so that the image is more interesting I plan to use elements of mise-en-scene
to make the photo more eye catching and conventional.
• For my contents page, I plan to take a range of different photos to make the contents page more
fascinating and attention-grabbing and also reach the target audience to the best of my ability.
• For the double page spread, I plan to link it to the main image on the front cover so I will use the
same person and photos that link to the main image.

3. Props
• On the front cover I don’t plan to use any props as I want to keep the main focus
just on the cover story and the main cover lines. I feel that using props will make
the photo look to busy and distract attention anyway from the things I want to be
highlighted.
• I may use props amongst some of the other photos, however, I will take a range
of photos some with props (musical instruments etc.) and some without to see
what works better.

4. Costumes
• Costumes for the front cover will rely purely on the mise-en-scene and make-up
used within the shot as I plan to take a close-up image so the costume won’t
really be seen.
• For the contents page, I will use a range of costumes within the images to suit the
genre I am trying to convey. For example, to convey the pop genre in the photos I
will use bright colours/relaxed clothing to help portray this.
• For the double page spread I plan to use a range of both costume and make-up to
portray the genre of my magazine through my use of imagery.

5. Shot Types
Front Page Contents Page Double-Page Spread
I plan to use a mid-shot or a close-up
(I will take a range of both and
see what works best) to use as the
main image on my front cover. If
the mid shot is selected I will make
sure body language is portrayed to
help signify that the genre is ‘fun’,
‘happy’ or ‘relaxed’ etc. If the
close-up is selected then the
technical elements will be utilized
to make the image as interesting as
possible.
For the contents page, I plan to
take several images and place them
on the page to make the page
more interesting. If you have band
shots – wide shots will be the best
way forward to display them. If you
have a solo artist or rapper etc.
then a low angle will be
appropriate as it will make them
look more powerful and intimidate
the audience. For solo singers,
close-ups, mid and long shots will
be applicable to use.
On the double page spread I plan
to use a variety of mid-shots, close-ups
and long shots to portray the
artist and their body language from
within the photo. Taking several
different photos of the artist will
help to portray them.

6. Feature How I Plan to Use it on the FRONT COVER:
Casting I plan to use just one person on the front cover.
Locations For the main image I plan to use just a plain white background which can be edited to
either another colour in Photoshop or left as it is. This way it will be easy to contrast
fonts with the background so they are easy to look at.
Body Language For the main image I plan to keep the body language quite natural but in a relaxed pose
so that the magazine doesn’t get mistaken for say a fashion genre.
Shot Types This image will either be taken as a close-up or a mid shot depending on what I think
works best. Therefore, I will take a range of shots to help me decide.
Angles I would like the main image to be taken from about eye level as it almost makes it look
like the magazine is looking at other people and makes it eye-catching and attention
grabbing.
Mise-en-scene I will use elements of to the best of my ability to help convey the music magazine genre.

7. Feature How I Plan to Use it on the CONTENTS PAGE:
Casting On the contents page I plan to use several different people from a range of different
genres as my music magazine is based on a magazine such as Billboard. Therefore I will
need groups of people, album covers and solo artist photos too.
Locations For some of the group shots depending on what genre the ‘band’ is I will take my
photos in quite urban areas so that my magazine is modern and appeals to my target
audience of 16-30 year olds.
Body Language Body language will differ across both pages – my group shots will have a more posed
feel to them where as the solo artists will have a more natural feel to them.
Shot Types There will be a range of shot-types used within the the contents page – the most
common used will be mid and long shots to display what the artists are wearing etc.
Angles There will be a range of angles used between shots. In band shots the angle may be low
to make the band look more intimidating and powerful.
Mise-en-scene I will use elements of to the best of my ability to help convey the music magazine genre.

8. Feature How I Plan to Use it on DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD:
Casting The double page spread will contain photos that link into the main image on the
contents page as the image on the front cover will relate to the double page spread.
Locations As the image on the contents page is taken with a plain background that could be
changed to a colour within photoshop, I plan to take the photos in the same style or a
more urban area as the genre of the cover artist will be pop/hip hop.
Body Language Body language will differ across this double page spread to make it look more eye
catching and interesting to the reader. It will also reflect the artists persona and how
they are conveyed through the imagery used.
Shot Types There will be a range of shot-types used within the the contents page – the most
common used will be mid and long shots to display what the artists are wearing etc.
Angles There will be a range of angles used between shots. Again, the angles used within the
images will help to convey the artist and how they want to be represented.
Mise-en-scene I will use elements of to the best of my ability to help convey the music magazine genre.

9. Take all photos during this week for all pages

10. Edit all photos I plan to use Begin to create pages