Oct Calendar

This is my Calendar for the month of October. I worked very hard this month and I spent all of my time productively. I don't think I will be able to keep this speed of work up but I am pleased with all the progress I made.

Contents Page Flat-plan

This flatplan is very exciting is full of interest.
 I think that it covers many conventions and will appeal to an audience because of the visual interest. The amount of subimages may be too many for a mature audience and could alienate older people - however, I will see how this looks when I fill this flatplan with the images
. It's very different from the minimalistic front cover but this will create contrast between the two pages and separate the two function of the pages.
 I will be going for a red colour scheme here and I will expiriment with less standard fonts on the page title - though the features section will only have standard fonts as I need it to be readable or it doesn't do it's job.
The photos that I use will be filtered and edited slightly. The photos will be the focus of the page instead of text to reflect my teen/young adult target audience as they are quite young and will prefer visuals over blocks of text.

29th Oct

Aims:

- Create cover flatplan
- Create contents flatplan

Reflect:
I have created two flatplans. Both are similar to magazines that already exist so that they will look professional. I believe that I've covered many conventions and that these will look professional.

Front Cover Flat-plan

This is a very simplistic flatplan and I've based it from this image:

The Fly is a British Indie mag like my own and they were relatively popular. I feel as if the simplicity and minimalism is aesthetically pleasing and I could base my magazine around it.

This flatplan appeals to me because of the minimalism. I think it would stand out from its competitors because of its simple approach. It would look different clean amongst it's competitors crowded pages that are over-stuffed with content. I'm going to have the background white like done with The Fly (to further my attempt at minimalism.) The fonts I use will emphasise the minimalistic approach and they will be simple.

28th Oct

Aims:

- Look at photoshoot images
- Choose best images

Reflect:

I feel as if I've chosen the best of the images though it was a tough choice because there were a lot of good images to choose from. I will use the images I have selected in my final product.

Photoshoot

Overall, my photoshoot was a huge success and we made the most of the two hours that we were in there, taking a range of photos. We took the photos that we needed in just over an hour and then had just under an hour left in the studio. Because of this, we had a chance to take some additional photos. As I said in my minisite on model choice, I have some very creative girls who had a lot of ideas of their own. When our ideas merged, we came up with some additional poses together. All of the girls understood the importance of their facial expressions and body language - which was much appreciated. 

To look at the photos we took, I have put them into gifs using imgflip. This is a good way to show off all the photos that I took.

Pose 1:

Pose 2:

Pose 3:

Pose 4:

Pose 5:

Misc poses:

Best photos:

This photo was the final one of the set. After we took the first photos, we reviewed them and we looked at how to improve - then we took this one based on the improvements. What set this photo out from the others was that Leah's stance was a lot more relaxed and natural. Her facial expression was meant to mimic the invitational expression and I felt that she did it best in this particular photo. Eve struggled with having her hand against her face as it didn't look or feel natural. The more that Eve worked with it, the more comfortable she felt. In some of the other images, she'd struggled with her smile as well - either smiling too wide or looking too uninterested. With this one, she had the invitational face was perfect. Becky managed to do almost all of her photos well as she managed to have a stance that looked relaxed and natural, however, in reality was totally focused. In the earlier photos we took, the girls were more spaced out - which I wasn't too fond of. However, in this image - the girls were close together. I wanted them like this to show a bond between them and show them as a group of friends. 

Eve nailed the super smiler expression just as she had done in the earlier post on facial expressions. We took photos from different angles and we experimented with the intensity of the smile. However, this photo was, firstly, the most attractive in my opinion and, secondly, her facial expression was very vibrant and exciting. Another reason I chose this image was because the headphones were very visible.

Becky did very well with her pose. Her body is on a slight angle, tilting to the left. This is an interesting pose. Her head is also lifted ever so slightly more than it was in some of the other photos that I took.  In some, her face was barely visible at all - which wasn't optimal. The headphones had to remain visible at all points - though the parts her hands resting on are not visible at all due to the nature of the pose.

This is one of the most exciting photos that I took because it's an action shot. This was taken when Leah was throwing her hair around and back. Because we used a very professional Canon camera, I managed to take these shots. If they'd been taken on a weaker camera, this photo would've been blurry. One of the reasons that this photo was so difficult to take was that the hair kept going out of shot and facial expression was hard to control. Leah did better than most would have done I think and managed to keep her face from becoming too scrunched up but a little scrunching was impossible to avoid. Also, if the hair got in front of the headphones, the shot was ruined because the headphones needed to stay visible. In this shot, they remain fully visible.

This photo was one of the most difficult to take. We ended up changing this the most from the original shot from which everyone was sitting on the floor. This photo was taken with the addition of a couch. The reason we chose to make such a change was that Leah firstly felt uncomfortable in the position. Plus, the pose that Jesy from Little Mix was doing, the one we were taking inspiration from, was quite difficult for most people to get into as her back was quite curved. It's quite likely it was made this way through photoshop but also from the fact that Jesy is a dancer and therefore is more flexible than the average person. Another problem that was evident was that the girls were too far apart. This could have been an oversight on my part as Becky is the tallest of the girls and she was the one standing. She towered over the girls and it was difficult to get them all in the shot. Bringing in the couch and having them all on the same level made the shot easier to take. One more problem was making sure that the candy fell in the right place. Our crew was limited. I was taking the photos and my models were modelling. Thankfully, my mother stepped in to throw the candy onto the umbrella. She could only throw it from the side of the set though and therefore we only had candy on one side. This can be fixed later using photoshop and editing. 

 

               These photos are very ranged. I may use them as subimages. I need to look into making flatplans and decide whether or not I will use subimages. If I decide to use them, I will analyse these poses more then. Each pose was talked through and has been done for specific reasons. 

Whilst we had the studio, we took this photo of me to use if I decide to have an editors note. Editors note tend to very chatty and informal so I went for a pose that was quite informal and fun. This pose has open body language and isn't very serious,  so I feel that it would fit perfectly. 

Getting ready

Prior to the photoshoot, my three models came to my house to do hair and make-up. They did their own makeup but I sat next to them and briefed them on color and style. We also recorded the process of doing the makeup with this video. I was going to record doing hair as well however, due to the decision to leave it natural, there was no real way to record this.

This video showcases all three girls doing their eyemakeup. The shoulder to the right of the model is mine and I can be seen making suggestions. I'm very happy with how the girls looked and I feel that it was very appropriate for the photoshoot.

Alternate video:

27th October

Aims:
- Go to photoshoot

Reflect:

The photo-shoot today was a huge success and I'm very happy with the photos that I have taken.

Poses Decison

Note: Whilst I know that I will be taking photos in these poses, I am undecided if these will be on the certain pages or not. This is just my first idea.

POTENTIAL DPS POSE:

This is a pose that incorporates all three girls. Becky will be posing in a style reminiscent of Miley Cyrus on the front cover of the marie claire magazine. This pose is invitational and draws the reader in. As previously looked at:

• If the model has their back turned and is looking over their shoulder, this gives them an air of mysteriousness and aloofness , which can be intriguing to a reader.

I'm undecided if Becky would look best with her full body turned or with the majority of her body turned so this is something I'll have to experiment with when I take the photos. I have also considered the way that her head should be titled.

• If my models head were tilted over to one side, this is considered non-threatening and can even be seen as submissive or docile. It can also be associated with someone deep in thought - someone intelligent.

Leia will be different. Her pose is based off of Katy Perry's in Cosmopolitan. Her head will also be tilted slightly to the side. Her body will be kept straight and strong to show confidence. Her body will be slightly to the side, centralizing Eve.

• If the model is very slightly facing one way or the other, this can be used to emphasize attractiveness.

Most notably, her hand will rest upon her hip.

• Hands on hips shows confidence and dominance in one of the most obvious and emphasized ways possible. 

Eve will be central in this image. Her pose is based off of Emma Watsons. Her head will be titled upward with her hand touching her face. 

• If the models head is tilted upwards, this is a pose of superiority. It shows that my model is someone important. It can also show defiance, portraying my model as quite rebellious. The differentiation between higher up person of authority and revel depends on the mise en scène and the tone.

The closeness of the girls in this image shows a bond between them and lets the reader feel as if they are looking into the lives of these girls and seeing an intimate friendship. This can be seen as heartwarming and sweet and also appeals to human curiosity and nosiness as people feel as if they are getting a look into the models lives and into their relationships. 

Inspired by: 

 

 

POTENTIAL FRONT COVER

All of the girls in this image are based off of the girls in little mix - minus Jesy. Becky will be taking on the role of Leigh-Anne. The pose is very confident and strong.

• Hands on hips shows confidence and dominance in one of the most obvious and emphasized ways possible. 

Leigh Anne has a powerful stance with splayed legs and a straight back. 

• Legs splayed and apart from each other can show dominance and superiority If the person is 'standing at attention' like a solider would do then this can be seen as respectful. However, depending on the stance, it can also come across as quite aggressive.

As two of my models will be sitting on the floor - I will rehash what this can convert in terms of body language. 

• Having a model sitting down can convey a lot of different things. If the model is sitting on the floor, this is also very casual. 
• Sitting crossed legged can seem closed off, in the same way that folded arms can. This pose also have connotations of youth.
• Sitting on a chair with wide open legs can seem arrogant and superior. It's also quite relaxed - like a person at home. 
• Sitting on a chair with legs crossed is more feminine and emphasizes femininity. It can also look quite professional. 

Eve sitting on the floor conveys more of a casual relaxed vibe, whilst Leah - who sill looks more comfortable and at home than Becky - is slightly more powerful and dominant.  

Inspired by: 

POTENTIAL CONTENTS PAGE:

These three poses will be the only ones where the girls are not interacting with each other. This gives them a sense of independence and strength.  For Leia, I've chosen to have the head thrown upwards to show that she's engaged in the music that she's listening to. What I really want to convey with this pose is excitement. 

• If the models head is tilted upwards, this is a pose of superiority. It shows that my model is someone important. It can also show defiance, portraying my model as quite rebellious. The differentiation between higher up person of authority and rebel depends on the mise en scène and the tone

With Eve, I've gone for her having her head slightly to one side. 
• If my models head were tilted over to one side, this is considered non-threatening and can even be seen as submissive or docile. It can also be associated with someone deep in thought - someone intelligent. 

With Becky, I want her head tilted downwards

• If my models head is titled downwards, this has connotations of sadness. This can be very dramatic - and therefore very interesting - however, this can also have connotations of disapproval and disinterest which should be avoided. 

I want Leia's hair to be flying around in this image as if she were dancing. This will create excitement with the image and make infinitely more fun. Becky's pose should be very dramatic. I want her legs to be slightly crossed in front of her. 

• Legs crossed with one in front of the other can seem shy or docile - endearing in the same way that arms across the body may be. This is also typically a feminine post that emphasis girlishness. This may act as a barrier much like crossed arms if the rest of the body language is not open. 

Inspired by: 

N.A

As I am working with several creative models, it's very likely that I will end up with a range of poses that I didn't plan on and that these poses will change slightly in the process of taking the photos. This will be accounted for in a follow up post.

Model choices

I created this mini-site with emaze to showcase the girls I will be using as my models and explain why they are the best choices. I have also explained within this why I have decided to use three models as opposed to just one.

(Note: Because this is a minisite and not a powerpoint, there are four pages. You can read the information by scrolling down and you can navigate between pages via the links at the top. If for any reason the pages appear empty when looking at the site on the blog among my other posts - please open the individual post by clicking the title 'Model Choices')

Sunday 23rd Oct

Aims:

• Make decisions on models

 Reflect:
I've made a minisite on emaze that allows users to look at four different justifications on why I've chosen who I've chosen. I've justified why I'd use three models and then looked at why I'd choose each girl individually.

Poses - Body language

I will be using a program named Blender to look at how I can pose my models. I will also analyse the effect of body language in each pose.

This program allows me to create 3D models and pose them. It's quite difficult to get to grips with - as 3D modelling itself is incredibly difficult - however this program has a better user interface than most I've used and is free, which is amazing considering the freedom that it gives.

I will also be using a tool called MakeHuman, which aids the user by creating and rigging the 3D models that they can make within the application. 

By using this, I will be able to interact with the skeleton of a human model and pose them. This allows me to look at how individual joints must bend in order to get a model into the pose - which will help me when I'm instructing my models how I want them to pose. It will also give me a lot of visual representation even if there are not online images available or videos containing the movements that I need. 

Head:

Here are the ways that the head can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.  

• If the head is held up so that it is at eye level to the reader, this communicates neutrality. In conversation, this would show that the other person is listening to what you have to say. Therefore, having my model do this would create a feeling of intimacy with my model and the potential buyer.

• If the models head is tilted upwards, this is a pose of superiority. It shows that my model is someone important. It can also show defiance, portraying my model as quite rebellious. The differentiation between higher up person of authority and rebel depends on the mise en scène and the tone.
• If my models head were tilted over to one side, this is considered non-threatening and can even be seen as submissive or docile. It can also be associated with someone deep in thought - someone intelligent. 
• If my models head is titled downwards, this has connotations of sadness. This can be very dramatic - and therefore very interesting - however, this can also have connotations of disapproval and disinterest which should be avoided. 
• Multiple models with heads towards each other shows friendliness and playfulness. It shows a bond within that group of people - like genuine friendship. It can also seem intimate - as if the reader is getting a chance to look into the lives of a group.

Arms:

Here are the ways that the arms can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Crossed arms show closed off body language and they act as a barrier between the subject and the readers. If done right, this can create a feel as mysteriousness - however, if done wrong, the results can range from the model looking bored and uninterested to the model looking very unapproachable and quite rude.
• The same goes for holding a prop in front of the body. Women especially tend to clutch bags in front of them when they are feeling nervous, hostile, or are in a situation that they don't want to be in - this should be avoided. 
• Arms across the body shows shyness and insecurity, which can be endearing. It can seem young and playful and very innocent on female models or on teen/child models.
• Arms loosely by a models side shows them as open, relaxed and very casual. 
• Having the model interact with props can show them as being very fun - the exact meaning depends on the prop in question. 
• Having the models interact with each other, again, shows friendliness and playfulness. It shows a bond within that group of people - like genuine friendship. It can also seem intimate - as if the reader is getting a chance to look into the lives of a group.
• Hands on hips shows confidence and dominance in one of the most obvious and emphasized ways possible. 

Legs:

Here are the ways that the legs can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Legs splayed and apart from each other can show dominance and superiority If the person is 'standing at attention' like a solider would do then this can be seen as respectful. However, depending on the stance, it can also come across as quite aggressive.
• Legs crossed with one in front of the other can seem shy or docile - endearing in the same way that arms across the body may be. This is also typically a feminine post that emphasis girlishness. This may act as a barrier much like crossed arms if the rest of the body language is not open. 
• Having a model on their tiptoes can seem childish, naive, and innocent. It makes a model seem younger. It's a quite fun and lively way of posing.
• Putting one foot forward can show confidence and leadership - useful if there is one leader within the group and this needs to be clear.
• The direction that the feet point, much like the eyes and the direction of the head, shows us the subjects interest. The subjects body should be pointed towards whatever they are interacting with or towards the camera to show engagement with the audience. 

Crouching or sitting:

Here are the ways that a sat down model can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Crouching is a very casual stance. It's relaxed. It also shows a very down to earth person as it conveys no superiority at all. Having such a casual stance can put the model and the reader on the same level and humanize a celebrity. 
• Having a model sitting down can convey a lot of different things. If the model is sitting on the floor, this is also very casual. 
• Sitting crossed legged can seem closed off, in the same way that folded arms can. This pose also have connotations of youth.
• Sitting on a chair with wide open legs can seem arrogant and superior. It's also quite relaxed - like a person at home. 
• Sitting on a chair with legs crossed is more feminine and emphasizes femininity. It can also look quite professional. 

Turning:

Here are the ways a model can be turned and what that communicates in regards to body language. 

• If the models full body is turned towards the camera then this shows very open body language and full engagement with the reader,
• If the model is very slightly facing one way or the other, this can be used to emphasize attractiveness.
• If the model is faced one way and looking at the camera over their shoulder, this goes well with the invitational facial expression. It can be quite alluring and inviting.
• If the model has their back turned and is looking over their shoulder, this gives them an air of mysteriousness and aloofness , which can be intriguing to a reader.
• If the model is turned away from the camera and is not looking at it then this sacrifices engagement to the audience but shows investment in whatever they are looking at. If they're turned towards another model, for example, then this shows that they are engaged in friendship and that relationships are important to them.

Beneath is a prezi that looks at the poses that my competition use on their front covers. This was done just to help me understand why certain poses were used. There is no running theme with my competition so I will use a pose that suits tone and suits my models.

                              

This has helped me to understand poses and choose how I will pose my models in my final product. I have ideas on how I will do it and I will make a follow up post detailing. 

Booking

I have booked the studio at Sunderland University. Here are the screenshots from the email thread. 

Friday 21st Oct

Aims:

• Research poses
• Book studio

Reflect:

I looked at body language using a poseable model on Blender, which is primarily used for 3D animation. This was a very useful thing to do and I feel like I've explored body language in the best way I was able to. I also booked my studio and I now know my appointment times.

Location Scouting

Prop decison

This PowToon covers the props that I will use in my photo shoot whilst also describing why I will use them. I have all of these props grouped together ready for the photoshoot apart from the sweets, which I will purchase at a slightly later date. I think these will work together to look the very best that they could. I have some ideas for poses already.

EDIT (28th Oct 2016): I got this photo of all of the props together at the photoshoot and thought it would be useful to have a photo of my prop group for reference. I also made use of a couch and a wooden chair provided at the University that I hadn't planned on using.

Wednesday 19th Oct

Aims:

• Location scouting
• Prop decision

Reflect:

I've decided on a location for my photoshoot by looking at six different locations in Sunderland, my home. I considered convenience, professionalism, and visual interest in my decision. I will be booking with Sunderland University. I also my a PowToon to showcase the final decisions I've made in regards to props. I feel that I fully justified myself in that PowToon.

Recreating Competition Covers

UNDER THE RADAR:

Alternate video:

This was the first recreation I did. I think it could have turned out better as it's quite choppy. Editing background colors can be very difficult as cutting around a model can be difficult. Using the variation tool within the adjustment menu really let me play around with color.

Alternate video:

I thought this one would be a lot simpler and it was. However, it's lead me to believe that the raindbbow effect must have been done with lighting post-take and then emphasised in editing as it's very difficult to achieve this effect through editing alone.

Q

Alternate video:

This image would've been easier to edit with better images. I'm quite happy with it though. At some points, I deviated from the source to experiment, which I believe is more helpful for what I'm doing as my final product won't be just a recreation and I will need to put my own spin on things. 

Alternate video:

As the other recreations were quite difficult, I chose one that was just color manipulation to finish off with. This one was very simple and I think the finished product is a fair recreation. 

This has not only given me photoshop practice but also forced me to look at the codes and conventions associated with various covers.