Planning the Photographs

Pop music is a genre of music that originated from its own modern form in the Western World and can include other forms or aspects of music such as urban, dance, hip-hop and country. A common understanding of pop music is to include melodic tones and repeated choruses. Some pop music is associated with up-beat, bold and colourful bubbly imagery such as microphones, speakers, headphones as well as the use of bold colours and objects like bubbles, guitars and stars.  

Costume

I will use several costume changes throughout the images used in my magazine to make it more interesting for the readers to look at. The use of different costumes can symbolise different moods and meaning of the music or personality of the person. 

Front Cover: On the front cover I will use a close up shot therefore the outfit will not be seen clearly. The model will be wearing a funky pop style outfit of a white leather jacket. The outfit will be simple and not over-the-top because then it is suitable for slightly younger people which the magazine could be located near. Using a simple outfit will also allow me to experiment with props and editing, and remain the main focus to be of the model’s face, hair and makeup. Having a white background against the white leather jacket will leave all colours to the models portrait engaging the readers to the model’s face.

Contents Page: On the contents page there will be three photographs containing costumes. The first will be of a stage performance of four male dancers in jeans and t-shirts to promote the casual bad boy look. The second image will be of a different male model, wearing a natural costume of jeans and a shirt in a natural pose. Then the final third image will be the model that features on the front page and double page spread in an outfit suitable for performing in. This outfit could be a more extravagant outfit that could be worn at a concert for additional effect and feature to add to the song performed, such as a glittery outfit, dressed up costume like Katy Perry had in her “California Gurls” of sweets and candy cane stripes. The model will wear a beige pencil dress that has two chiffon drapes either side and black high heels to create a punk rock pop kind of style.

Double Page Spread: This will be about the artist on the front cover Ashley, and so I will have different costumes to ensure it is not boring, and shows change. On the double page spread I will use a sub image that will be of the model on vacation lying on the beach therefore her costume will be in a swimsuit to correlate with the beach setting. The swimsuit will be pink to enhance her chosen colour of the page to be pink. However because it will be a medium shot the swimsuit may not be visible. The second image is an incorporated long shot image which will be of the model in a casual outfit of a white dress and denim jacket, inspired by the Nicki Minaj outfit of a studded denim jacket seen above.

Props

Objects associated with pop music are musical instruments like guitars and microphones, other items include headphones, vinyl records and disco balls. The use of props can add to the effect of the music genre as well as making it more interesting by giving the reader something else to look at and interpret.

Front Cover: On the front cover I will not use any props because this way the image will focus solely on the person.  Often the front covers contain text surrounding the model and so props may not necessarily be needed as there is already stuff going on around them. Therefore making the front cover just as the individual will give them full focus and there will be no other distraction, giving them more attention.

Contents Page: On the contents page I will have three square sub images. The first one will be the largest and is of the main model dressed in a beige dress performing at a concert with a microphone prop to emphasise that she is on stage performing. At the bottom of the page to show two other featuring articles in the issue will be two smaller square sub images to make the page look more captivating because it is not all text. Similar to the one on the right where three square sub images are used to help fill the page. The first image will be of the four men in a dancing motion with no props. The second image will be of the male model which will have no props because he will be in a natural posed position with his hand through his hair. 

Double Page Spread:  The sub image will be a close up shot of the model lying on the beach with sunglasses on. The second image will be a long shot image and I will incorporate the model with the text to make it look professional and more captivating like the image on the right where the long shot of the person is in the centre of the page overriding the text showing professional editing skills of incorporation. The long shot will be of the model stood and with a rubber duck in her right hand as part of a prop to make it entertaining and unusual to fit in with the pop quirky theme. I will position the model on the right of the page with her turned to the left slightly where the text will be.

Setting

The setting of photographs is important because you need to know whether you want the background to be a scene that can contribute to the meaning of the photograph or whether it needs to be plain so that the main aspect of it is made clear and focused. Sometimes using a plain background can also be just as effective as a busy one because it can emphasise the image by making them more prominent from all the other aspects.

Front Cover:  On the front cover I will use a plain background so that all attention is given to the model as it will make her stand-out as there is no other distraction in the background. The background will be a plain white colour to make the colours of the masthead and text stand out in addition to the model’s skin being a pale skin tone, which will make her hair colour distinct and prominent.

Contents Page: On the contents page I will use plain background so the text and images are made bright and dominant. The image backgrounds will differ as the first image will be of a stage scene with the four males performing on stage. The second image will be of the male model in a natural light background taken outside with a light background. The third image will be the main model on stage with a blue curtain backdrop.

Double Page Spread: For the double page spread I will use plain off-white background so that the model is made significant and her dress does not blend in too much with the background. The sub image will have a background as the sand as she will be lying on the beach and the long shot image will be a cut out so that she is incorporated into the page therefore the background will be a plain off-white background. When taking the image because I will edit her out of the photograph I will use a contrasting coloured background so that it is easy to edit it her out of the photograph.

Facial Expression

Front Cover: On the front cover I will have the model positioned faced side on to the camera with her head turned towards the camera with a serious look on her face with a slight smile and direct eye address by looking into the camera lens that can come across as sensual attracting the male audience as well as female audience being inspired or fond of certain features.

Contents Page: The three images on the contents page will have different facial expressions. The first one of the male figures is hard to distinguish as they are turned away however they will be in a singing motion. The second image will be of the second model of a male who will be side on looking in the distance away from the camera to create a natural photogenic photo. The one of the main artist will be of her performing at a concert and therefore she will be in song motion of a positive facial expression with a grinning teeth smile.

Double Page Spread: The double page spread will have a sub image of the main model on a beach with a grinning smiling face with sunglasses covering her eyes. The second main image of the long shot will be her holding a rubber duck and she will be looking direct at the camera with a large happy excited grin on her face emphasising the craziness of her song that refers to rubber ducks.

Hair & Make-up

Front Cover: The front cover will be of the female model with her hair down with a natural wavy look. This may add to the seductive look made by the casual smiling facial expression pulled. The make-up used will be minimal and natural looking to promote the natural beauty within a person. However her lips will be made dominant through the use of red lipstick.

Contents Page: The first image on the contents page will be of the four male artists with no makeup on and with slick styled hair. The second sub image will be of a male model and therefore basic makeup will be used so there is a suitable glow on his skin with a natural styled hair by sticking up his fringe up and to the right. The female artist will have natural makeup to emphasise the natural pop music look. Her hair will be down and with straightened waves so that as if she was performing she could move her hair in a motion of over exaggerating her hair by whipping it about which can refer to the type of song she is singing.

Double Page Spread: The first image on the context page will be the model lying on the beach with her hair spread out in a circular motion with natural glowing makeup to radiant with the beach location. Her eyes will be covered through sunglasses therefore her eyes will not be seen. The long shot image will be her with an overall natural look of natural wavy hair and natural makeup to emphasise the natural look throughout.

Shot types

Front Cover: The front cover will be a close-up shot of the model’s face to give full focus to her hair, makeup and facial expression.

Contents Page: The first sub image will be the four male artists from an angled long shot side view. The second sub image will be a medium shot of the male mode. The last image will be the female model performing at a concert and so will be a long shot angled image. It will be taken from a lower level from the stage and slightly tilted for emphasis.

Double Page Spread: The sub image will be of a close-up of the model that features her face, hair and shoulders only. The second image will be a long shot image of the full body of the model to fill the length of the page and to be incorporated with the text.

Lightning

Front Cover: The background will be white, and the model’s skin is pale therefore I will use a high-key lighting to enhance these and make them stand out, by being bright and clean.

Contents Page: Like the front cover I will use high-key lighting throughout to make the magazine seem vivid and dazzling to emphasise the wow-factor of pop music to make all aspects stand out prominently. The first image will be of the male performers on stage therefore there will be high-key lighting will coloured stage lighting. The second image will be a high-key lighting image of the male model to enhance the overall picture giving highlights to key areas making it easier to see. The final image will be the female model in a performance and therefore will have light shining on her to give full attention to her. The access to the stage will allow me to have coloured lights in the background to help portray an act.

Double Page Spread: The sub image will be a close up of the model with bright lighting taken on the beach to again enhance her facial features and hair in correlation to the magazine being overall a light and illuminated magazine to enhance the features of models and the vividness, cheerfulness and intensity of pop music. Likewise with the long shot image which has no background because it is integrated with the text therefore it shares the same background of a plain off-white background, which will also make the text and image stand out more.