The document describes the steps taken to design a two-page magazine spread featuring photographs and an article. Key steps included selecting backgrounds in photographs, adjusting curves and contrast, merging images, adding blur effects, and positioning text and images on the designed pages. Quotes and headlines were styled in different fonts and colors to draw attention while maintaining an organized layout with columns, credits, and page numbers.

1. The first step I took was to create a Background Copy. I then used the Quick Selection
Tool to select the background of the second image, leaving out my model. I took the
above steps to make the selected area Black & White.

2. I then selected the image of my model and adjusted the curves, allowing the contrast
to increase, making my model stand out from the black and white background.

3. For my second image, I had firstly made a background copy of the first image of the
bench. I want to merge two pictures together. This will help represent the two natures
of the music artist.

4. Next, I copied the second image on top of the original. This then created a new layer
which means the other layers would not be effected by any changes made on this
image.

5. I used the Quick Selection Tool to select the background of the second image, leaving
out my model and the prop.

6. I erased everything that was selected, leaving my model and the prop. This will then
make it easier to merge the images together.

7. Going back to the first image, I selected everything except the model and used the
adjustment tool to make the background black and white. This will help the model
stand out in the image.

8. With the background still selected, I clicked Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur. This allowed
only the background to be blurred which gives the effect that the foreground (the
model) is in focus whereas the background is defocused.

9. Selecting the inverse (the model), I adjusted the curves of the image, which alters the
contrast and tone of the image.

10. I selected the second image and then modified the curves, as I did with the first image.
I then moved the image around so it looks like the model is sat on the same bench as
the first image.

12. I created a blank document, A3 sized. I inserted my first image, making it a full sized A4
image, on the left hand side of the page.

13. I copied and pasted my DPS article text into the plain side of the page so that no text is
overlapping the main image.

14. I split the article into three columns at first, but after I edited the article and cut some
parts out, I split it into two columns so the text wasn’t as cramped and was easier to
read. I subverted to conventions of having the stand-first above the article. I decided
to place it over the full page image in a black text box to make it stand out to the
reader.

15. Using WordArt, and using Haettenschweiler font, I created the article headline which is
also the name of the artist’s album. By using bold black letters assisted the text to
stand out from the white background of the image.

16. Using WordArt again, I used Freestyle Script to create the rest of the headline. By using
two different fonts subverts conventions because most articles stick to one. However,
the reason I changed the font was to emphasise the word “truly”.

17. I inserted the page numbers, issue date and magazine website on both corners of the
page. I ensured they were symmetrical to each other and identical to the contents
page.

18. I thought the page could use a splash of colour so I decided on a dark pink because it
matched the model’s hat and shoes. I tried to find the closest match. I think the pink
brightens up the page and is eye-catching to someone who is flicking through. All the
quotes, the stand-first and half of the headline is in pink.

19. I inserted the second Photoshop image at the bottom of the page and cropped it so
that all the text can be read without difficulty. I also added the magazine masthead in
the top left hand corner and edited the colours so it would correspond with the rest of
the page’s colour scheme.

20. I placed the article and photography credits in the top right hand corner of the first
page.

21. I used a pull quote from the article and added it to the full page image. I then played
around with effects and decided to have a shadow effect on the text, by placing a
larger and lighter shade of the text behind the original.

22. I enlarged one of the quotes and placed it in the interval between the paragraphs.

23. From what I have seen in existing DPS articles, is that the columns and quotes are
sectioned off with lines and so, I conformed and did the same. I think it makes the
page look organised and I think it helps emphasise the enlarged quote.