Photo shop practise

When using photoshop, I chose a few different images from the internet to test different effects on them. For example, I chose a picture of a celebrity showing lots of spots and I used a tool to vanish the spots from the celebritys faces. Another effect I used was the colours, changing the colours of a persons lipstick, from red to pink. The picture above represents this effect on a different image. 

Double Page Spread - 2

In this double page spread you can see that the headline has took up 2 thirds of the way down the page. This shows the the magazine brand 'NME' have decided to try different things, allowing the reader to understand the type of article that the magazine is portraying. The headline used is in the style of a newspaper, big, block, captial letters used to stand out at the reader and the quotation marks used also tell the reader that the headline of the article is actually a true saying from Lilly Allen shown on the picture. The benefit of the headline being a quotation is that it catches the readers attention, making them want to read more of the article.
The main image of Lilly Allen that has been used relates to the headline of the article as it is what she has said. The short, black hair that Lilly has in the image, contrasts with the colour used as the headline background. The colour black that has been used sugguests the article is very formalitive, meaning that the article is very serious and factual. The colour of Lilly's hair also relates to the idea of the article being serious. The way Lilly Allen is stand on the image, with her hands on her hips and her head tilted to the side, however looking at the camera portrays the 'I dont care' look.
The selling line is also in the colour black, however this is because the colour theme. The words 'Lilly Allen' are the colour red, this is because the article is about Lilly Allen and therefore NME want the artists name to stand out.
The red checked shirt that Lilly is wearing also stands out from the rest of the article, catching th readers attention, making them attracted to the article.
The drop captial that has been used at the start of this article, this shows that the magazine editors have used a varity of different designs in order to get the most effective look.

Double page spread - 1

This is a double page spread of a magazine that represents the type of genre I will be using throughout my music magazine.
The puffs that are used within and around this article highlight key componants to the article, giving the reader interesting information to make them want to read about the article. The colour of the puffs are also the same as the heading, these puffs relate to the fact that they are just as important as the heading of the article and they are the next attraction after the reader has seen the heading.
The main image that is used takes up the whole of the first page, this allows the reader to really look in to the image, wanting to know what the image is portraying, therefore they will want to read the article. The image that is shown is of 3 men lying on a bed, full clothes with images behind them. Any reader who was to look at this image would want to know who they were and what is the image about and therefore would look in to the article.
A puff is used above the heading, stating, 'NME loves', this wil attract the readers attention as it allows them to see tht the magazine themselves have looked into this article and have listened to there music and therefore the readers such do them same as they have used the word 'loves' meaning the band themselves are good. Another puff on top of the image stating 'What you need to know', this is a list of facts that are given about the band, therefore the readers will read this, maybe before they read the article so they have basic understanding of what the band are like. The colour of this puff is also a bright blue background, white and black writing has been used to state the facts.
There is also a column that contains extras/features, 'Everyone's talking about', this immeditely attracts the readers attention as they want to see what everyone is talking about, therefore it will make the reader read in to the article.
There is also a given quotation that has been highlighted bright blue, this is so the quotation stands out to the reader as it might be an important part of the article making the reader want to read more in depth.
There are also smaller images that have been used as part of the article, these images may relate to what has been said in the article, therefore the reader can read the article and relate to the images used.
The tag line that has been used 'Young, dumb and full of.. filthy tunes' has been structured to target the bands target audience. It may also be used in relation to the heading, as it gets people to sterotype teenages, branding them as 'Young and Dumb. This tag line also leads the reader to asume something else at the end of the line and not just 'filthy tunes'.
As you can see, on this double page spread, the heading is to the right of the page. This is effective as it shows that the magazine has tried a different layout out, in order for the double page sread to look different and eye catching.
The heading is very bold and large in order to stand out at the reader. The colours used for the heading are bright blue and black. The black writing is used against the bright blue to stand out and attract the readers attention so they want to read more about the article.

Genre Choice

These are some artists/bands from the the genre of music I will be using from my music magazine.

Analysis contents page - 2

The contents page of this magazine as you can see if very basic, as it has an image of 'Katy Perry' holding a mushroom which is very odd, therefore this image gives the readers something to look within the text next to the image to see if they can find out what the image is all about.
Not only is there a picture of Katy Perry, but there is also a quote from her, which allows the readers to automatically see that this contents page is the start of a article that is included inside the magazine and therefore makes the reader want to read more about the story.
As we can see, the heading 'Contents' is in big, block, black colours, on a white background, this makes the heading of the contents page stand out for all readers to see.
There is also a colour contrast between Katy Perrys skirt the word 'features' and the mushroom as they are different shades of pink.
On the contents page, there is also a date given of the magazine to show what month the magazine is representing, the colour of the writing matches the colour of the heading.
The information given on the page is very small and does not contain alot of information, therefore the reader is more likely to read what the contents page says as it isnt to long. The writing has been kept short and simple and right down to the point, giving the readers an indication on what the articles are all about.

Analysis Contents page - 1

Masthead - Bold, block, red letters are used to engage the reader to look at what the magazine has to offer, 'Q' '235 CONTENT FEB06', this is also used to allow the reader she what issue the magazine is.

House Style - The colours used on the contents page are red, white and black. The use of the red colours as the background of parts of the contents page enables the white and black writing stand out to the reader allowing them to want to ready more about a certain article. The different background colours that have been used also have an effect on the reader as it makes them attracted to each section on the contents page.

The copy - The copy is also effective as it attracts the readers attention as it is in block, bold colours, red and black. The effectiveness of 'I FART IN YOUR DIRECTION', immeditley attracts the readers attention .

Main Image - The main image used on this contents page is of Richard Ashcroft. It is a mid shot that allows the reader to see the expression on his face and also the types of clothes he is wearing. The colours of his colour also contrast very well with the colours used for the contents page.

Analyse music magazine front cover - 2

Masthead - The masthead is the name of the magazine. The masthead is shown in large, bold, red writing at the top left hand corner of the page. This helps the attract people as it stands out from other magazines.

House style - The main colours that are used on this front cover are red, white and different colour blues. Because the background of the magazine is of one shade of blue, it contrasts well with the dark shades of blue of the top that the individual is wearing. Another benefit of using these colour is so that the writing on the magazine stands out off the background, allowing people to see the magazine clearly.

Headline - On this front cover, not only is it advertising the band, 'Oasis' but it is also allowing people to follow them on tour. Therefore it immeditley stands out showing the importance of the article.

Sell lines - 'Amy Winehouse spotted on a stage', is used to attracted the reader, wanting them to read into the magazine, wanting to no more about the story.

Main Image - This image has been placed in the centre of the magazine allowing the title to relate to the image, also allowing the sell lines and other information to be places around the image.

Features - The white writing that is used on a red background, makes the writing stand out more, once again attracting the peoples attention, wanting them to know more about the story.

Puffs - A red circle has been used in order for the information within that puff to stand out from the rest of the magazine, promoting the features inside the magazine.

Copy - The main story is promoted well on the front cover of this magazine, as the majority of the information relates to the artist/the image that is in the centre of the magazine.

Semiotics

A theorist called Saussare stated that in everything there is a sign and signified. If sunshine and smiles is the SIGN then happiness is what has been signified.
Denotation - What you can see.
Connotation - What this might suggest

Analysis of the same genre of magazine

Here are two images of people within the same music genre, I have uploaded images of the magazine 'The Source' which include The Game and Lil Wayne. I have identified that the music genre for this magazine is rap.   I will discuss the similarities about the house style of this magazine in order to show that magazines of the same genre usually have the same house style.
The first thing I noticed about the magazines was the bold clear mast head used to catch the viewers attention, as well the mast head being side ways. The semiotics are also similar, the colour red is used in order to stand out and grab the viewers attention. These colours are used on things such as headlines and banners. The rest of the magazine is generally black, blue, brown or white, relating to the music genre of rap, therefore the use of colours on these magazines are usefull. As for the layout of the magazines, they are very similar. On the cover there is one image only, this is a close up shot of the rapper showing in detail the expression on both of the rappers face. Not only does the close up image show detail but it doesnt give the front cover much room for big writing and other images, therefore the writing that is around the image is short and small. This can also be related to the genre of music as the lyrics of many rappers are short but catchy. The front style of the text on the front covers suggests the genre to be very hard and bold, as block capitals and bold font is used. 

Feminism - Male gaze - Laura Mulvey theory.

Here, there are two photographs of Lady Gaga appearing on the front cover of Q magazine and Rolling Stones. I decided to use Lady Gaga as she is a great example of the Male gaze used on both these magazine covers. In relation to the male gaze, Voyeuristically and Fetishistically leads onto Objectification of female characters and Narcissistic identification with a surreal image seen on the front cover. 

Terminology

Buzz Words: "Wow", "Exclusive", "Free" are all examples of this.

Puffs: Colourful boxes promoting features inside.

House Style: A magazine's distinctive design that distinguishes it from its competitors.

Strap Line: A slogan

Banner: Text which stands out on a coloured background generally at the bottom of the magazine.

Copy: The Main Story in the Magazine

Anchorage Text: The way in which text helps to pin down the meaning of a picture and vice versa.

Pugs: Placed at the top left and right corners of the paper and are known as the 'ears' of the page. The price of the paper, the logo or a promotion are often positioned there.

Motto: Memorable phrase that is recognisable to a brand

Headline: Catchy Title for the main article

Sell Lines: Text on the front cover that helps to sell the magazine to the audience

Caption: Description of the main image

Masthead: Name of the magazine

Lead: The introductory paragraph of an article. Usually written in bold or capitals.

Drop Capitals: Really big letter that starts off an article

Analysis front cover

This is an analysis of a front cover of the magazine 'Rolling Stones'. On the front cover there is a mid shot of Jay-z in a suit, I have analysised the front cover of the magazine including things such as the colours, the fonts used, the size of the texts and why they have been used.

Charter Of Values

Within Deyes High School, we all have a part to play and it is our responibility that we make sure we follow what is called the Charter Of Values.
Within the Chart there are 11 values with should be followed as a student of Deyes High School, these include:
Trust
Fairness
Be responsible for your own actions
Respect other peoples property
A forgiving attitude
Co-operation
Kindness
Commitment
Honesty
Enthusiasm
Value and respect all people.
Each value is very important within Deyes High School as they teach pupils of the school the ways in which they should act and behave towards school life, as well as outside of school. This way Pupils can then go on to be a more successful, better person in the future.

Mood Board

Here is a page spread of my chosen artist, as you can see I have chosen Beyonce.
I chose Beyonce as she represents the type of music genre I like which is pop/chart music and therefore I will be studying pop and chart music throughout my portfolio.

Mock up of Collage Magazine

This is my first mock up of my collage magazine, I will follow this template as a basic outline for my work, any changes to my template will be updated and posted on my blog.

For my AS foundation portfolio, I am going to produce a front cover of a music magazine; a contents page and a double page spread on an artist of my choice. In order to produce a high quality product, I have to practise using the technology avaliable for myself.
My first task is to produce a front cover of a college magazine and a mock up of a contents page.
In addition to this, I will need to fully research music magazines identifying the conventions and target audiences.
I will make sure that I update my blog each time I progress in this task, keeping an online blog of everything that I have done.