Photographs for music magazine

The photographs I have taken to be included in my music magazine

The following image is the main image for my front cover of my music magazine

Whilst creating my front cover, I have to slightly brighten this image and adjust the contrast, this was due to the fact that the writing around the image on my front cover could not be seen as it blended in with my models hair, therefore the editing I did made it possible for the writing to be readable. Although not a large edit to the photograph was done, it was effective enough that the writing is now readable. The edited image is below.

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I originally started with a different image to be used for my contents page but had to take a new image as the first was not suitable. The image below is the image I had to change, it was taken with an artificial lighting to light up my models face.

This is the first image I used for my contents page, but after creating my contents page I needed an image of my model landscape to fit in with the rest of the images on my contents page rather than the image being portrait and not being able to fit it into my contents page. The image below is the new photograph I have used on my contents page, I took this photograph on the black and white setting on my camera with artificial lighting to give a more edgy vibe.

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The following image is the image that can be found on the first page of my double page spread. In my double page spread story it talks about how Lily Hudson uploaded an image of herself onto twitter after finding out her album was number one in the UK, so I took a laid back image of my model in a dark setting with no editing to look like she had took the photograph herself from some sort of media device such as a laptop.

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The following image is the main image for my double page spread and takes up nearly the whole A4 on the right hand side. This image was taken on the black and white setting to go with the colour scheme of my magazine. Unlike my other black and white image for my contents page, this one is done in natural sunlight and no colour editing was done to make my model  in order for my model to look more natural.

This was my original image, but for my double page spread I had to mirror the image so my model wasn't facing away from the article written about her. By mirroring the image makes it look more of a double page spread as it seems to flow.

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The images I have used for my music magazine go with the main colours I have used for my magazine. Throughout my magazine I have had a black, white, grey and pink colour scheme. For my front cover image and webcam image on my double page spread, pink lipstick is worn by my model which makes it stand out from the other subtle colours of herself and what she is wearing. Also, on my contents page photograph and the main image on my double page spread I have took in the black and white setting on my camera. By taking my photographs with my model wearing pink lipstick and by making my images black and white go with the overall colour scheme which is seen throughout my magazine, this makes my magazine flow and look more professional as a whole.

Flat plans

Flat plan for my magazine
Flat plan for Q magazine




























These are flat plans I have created for my own music magazine and Q magazine. For my music magazine I only have to create a front cover, contents page and a double page spread not a whole magazine as shown by my flat plan. My stories will feature on my double page spread.

I have analysed Q magazine and seen all the conventions they use to create a whole magazine, they use a mixture of singular articles, adverts, double page spreads and promotional images. The layout of Q magazine is mixed up, no double page spreads and continuously next to each other followed by pages of just adverts, they are all intertwined in order to make the magazine flow and that is it not boring for the readers. Towards the end of the magazine quite a few pages are used up for adverts, these are Q magazine promoting businesses that have paid them to include their business in their magazine, they have to go with the genre of the magazine in order to appeal to the certain audience of Q magazine.

Adverts are also used on the pages after the front cover which doesn't go with the stereotypical layout of a music magazine that goes straight into the contents page after the front cover, the contents page in this magazine is actually a double page spread layed out on pages 4 and 5. Promotional gifts are also offered such as a free CD is available with the magazine I brought, followed by an album review of the CD in order to promote it.

Concept of magazine

The concept of my music magazine

Name of music magazine

I have thought of many names which I could choose to be my masthead of my magazine, which range from 'Flare' to 'Trendsetter.' The name for my masthead which I have chosen for my music magazine is 'Swerve,' this is a cool, down to earth name which would be appropriate for my target audience, and would also appeal to them to make them read my magazine.

Fonts 

The fonts I have gathered for my front page are of various types, to try them out and see what would go best with my masthead. I need to ensure when picking the font for my masthead that it goes with the genre of my magazine. The font I have chosen is 'Stenha' from dafont.com as it is trendy and edgy and goes well with the name I have chosen for my masthead.

Colours

Im going to use a range of colours in my music magazine, I will keep the usual black and white but will also include a splash of colour to make it more appealing, Ill use colours such as red, yellow, green and blue. This will make my front cover more bright and attention grabbing, therefore my target audience will want to read it.

Genre
The genre of my music magazine is R&B Hip-Hop, this genre is suited for my target audience as nowadays this is the most popular and main genre around. I am choosing this genre as it is most appealing to my target audience and will be of interest of them to read.

Features

The features I will include on my front cover of my music magazine will be the masthead, top and bottom strip, coverline and the barcode for my magazine, which also states the date, price, and issue number of the magazine, which is helpful to the reader. On my front page, I will also include the exclusive stories and inside stories which can be found inside my magazine, which will encourage them to read the stories in more depth. Although all these features are included in my front cover, the main focus will be on the main image I will use.

Stories
The main story inside my music magazine will be an album release from an already known artist. This artist will be the main image on my front cover, and will have a strapline to go with the image which explains who she is, what her new album is about and what it is called. The main focus throughout my magazine will be this new album release.

Reader profile and target audience 

My target audience is 17-24 women, so I will consistently use formal language so my music magazine appeals to them, although not too formal that is does not interest the reader. This age range would rather know about gossip and read fun articles rather than politics and serious subjects, so by making my music magazine have quite a relaxed, light hearted tone it would appeal more to my target audience.

My masthead, stories, images and straplines will all be of interest to my target audience therefore will persuade them to read my music magazine. My target audience will read my magazine as it is about new upcoming artists which will interest them as the music industry is quite big right now, where music is very influential to teenagers and young adults.

This is my flat plan for what my magazine front cover will look like. I decided for the main focus of the magazine to be a main picture of a single celebrity so the focus is solely on them and their story alone.
I will also include inside and exclusive stories and little bits of information that can be found if you read inside the magazine. My masthead is big and therefore will stand out so it is eye catching to the audience, I will also include strapline, top and bottom strip and the barcode, date, issue number and price on my front cover which are the codes and conventions you expect to find.

Mood Board

Mood Board 

R&B Hip-Hop Genre

I have created a mood board for my chosen genre for my music magazine, I have chosen the genre R&B Hip-Hop. This is a suitable genre for my target audience as it is of interest to them, as this genre is popular nowadays. On my mood board I have included different aspects of this genre, which will help me whilst creating my own music magazine. 
I have put together a collage which includes various R&B Hip-hop artists such as Rita Ora, Rihanna, Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, Little Mix, M.I.A, Kanye West and Jay Z.  
I have also included audience and setting images of concerts from these artists' performances, researched the R&B Hip-Hop fashion; of what people in this genre wear, and images of the concerts my target audience would go to/be interested in.
On my mood board I have covered the main aspects of my chosen genre, and this will thoroughly help me whilst creating my music magazine, this is because I have got a good insight to this genre which will help me to make sure mine is suited to my target audience. 

The representation of men and women in my chosen genre have quite urban characteristics in the clothes they wear and how they act, they are influenced by fashion and aim to stand out from other celebrities in the same genre as them. The representation of men and women is similar to that of the pop genre where in this genre they also are influenced by fashion and aim to be noticed for being a fashion icon.

The representation in the actual R&B Hip-Hop genre is mainly male dominated, from where my mood board shows images of Jay Z, Kanye West and Chris Brown, they are typically identified as being rich, owning very expensive jewelry, homes and cars, they are also shown to have either a lot of women or like Jay Z be married to another famous celebrity. In the media they are shown as having everything. Women in this genre are sometimes seen negatively, for example when they are portrayed in music videos they are seen not to be wearing too much and be the idea that they are objects for men to have and for them to look at. In contrast, when you see female music videos from the R&B, hip-hop genre they represent themselves how they wish to be portrayed, they do not live up to the representation as they are seen in male music videos but represent their personality as an artist. More and more women are being able to get into this genre of music as seen on my mood board, there are quite a few female artists. These women have had to stand up for their rights and to be heard in order to be taken seriously and respected by the already current male artists. As this genre of music is still increasing in popularity I believe the aspect of having many female artists are getting into the industry in order to break the stereotype portrayed by men and represent themselves.

My genre for my magazine is “hipster”, the models and the vibe of my magazine, as a whole will hold a strong edgy urban feel. The reader profile will be people who like this style and sense of fashion of which the images inside my magazine will appeal to them most.  Fashion is a bit part of my magazine therefore it has to be as representative of my audience as possible.

Story double page

Story for my magazine

Sometimes dreams really do come true - quote 

Power, pressure and expectations are my motivations 

Starter line - Chart sucess is on the cards for the American Dream Lily Hudson with the release of her debut album 'Power.'

First Draft

There's a new chart topper in town! RnB’s latest princess, Lily Hudson, as expected has hit the top of the charts this weekend as her debut album was released in the UK last Friday.

The American born, West London raised singer – who is signed to Jay-Z’s record label, Roc Nation – has already hit the top of the singles charts three times this year with the dancing track, ‘Can you party?’, her single ‘Unique’ (featuring Ke$ha), and current number 1 single ‘Outcome.’

Lily Hudsons’ debut album 'Power' is the number one best selling debut album in the U.K, it features singles alongside famous artists such as Drake, Will.i.Am and Nicki Minaj. The singer was playing in Philadelphia at the Made In America festival when the news that she had conquered the cards in the U.K came through the wire.

Lily Hudson certainly knows how to get a party started. The Roc Nation member's hit single “Outcome”  has been an instant addition to many fans' spring playlists, and she's hoping to carry that momentum into the summer from the release of her debut album, 'Power'. Swerve magazine recently caught up with Lily backstage at the radio one hackney weekend where we got a chance to interview the new star in town.

"Power has just been released, and I'm so excited about it," Lily said. "It took me two years to finalize this album, I'm now ready for people to hear it. It's a bit nerve wracking actually putting this album out. I've put so much work in, that I hope it pays off and will be of interest to the UK. We worked really hard, Roc Nation and I, we are happy to say that we are finally done and there's so many different types of genres on there."

Being included in Roc Nation carries some heavy responsibilities. With artists like Rihanna, J. Cole and of course Jay-Z, Lily realizes that even though she is in good company she still has a lot to prove due to being the 'new comer' in the group.

"Automatically being signed to Roc Nation gives you a platform, but it's all down to you from there," Lily said. "No one is going to get up there and sing for you or produce your music, you do that for yourself thats how you become successful. Push yourself as much as you're willing to put in. It's all good pressure and it gets people's attention, but you have to maintain their attention to be successful."

You may have watched Lily Hudson on stage at the hackney weekend concert and thought ‘OMG! I wish I could see her live!’ Well your prayers have been answered as Lily has just announced she is hitting the road. In celebration of her second single release 'Outcome' and her chart topping album 'Power' Lily will stage two exclusive headline shows with a performance at Hammersmith Apollo on 29 August 2013 and London’s O2 arena on 30 August 2013.

The new dates offer a chance to see Lily Hudson headline at venues following recent festival performances at Radio Ones Hackney Weekend. If her second single song title is anything to go by, her live show is bound to be a party! Tickets will be on sale Friday 22nd February 2013 from 9am.

Second draft 

There's a new chart topper in town! RnB’s latest princess, Lily Hudson, as expected has hit the top of the charts this weekend as her debut album (titled, ‘Power’) was released in the UK last Friday.

The American born, West London raised singer – who is signed to Jay-Z’s record label, Roc Nation – has already hit the top of the singles charts three times this year with the dancing track, ‘Can you party?’, her single ‘Unique’ (featuring Ke$ha), and current number 1 single ‘Outcome.’

The dazzling singer was playing in Philadelphia at the Made In America festival when the news that she had conquered the cards in the U.K came through the wire - it was evident that she was happy with the news from her once again outstanding performance! After that night, Lily posted a picture of herself on twitter with the caption "overwhelmed. absolutely ecstatic, thank you all." 

Lily Hudsons’ debut album 'Power' is the number one best selling debut album in the U.K, it features singles alongside famous artists such as Drake, Will.I.Am and Nicki Minaj. 

Lily certainly knows how to get a party started. The Roc Nation member's hit single “Outcome”  has been an instant addition to many fans' spring playlists, and she's hoping to carry that momentum into the summer from the release of her debut album, 'Power'. Swerve magazine recently caught up with Lily backstage at the radio one hackney weekend where we got a chance to interview the new star in town.

"Power has just been released, and I'm so excited about it," Lily said. "It took me two years to finalize this album, I'm now ready for people to hear it. It's a bit nerve wracking actually putting this album out. I've put so much work in, that I hope it pays off and will be of interest to the UK. We worked really hard, Roc Nation and I, we are happy to say that we are finally done, and it's an honest real album, representing me and my personality, and there's so many different types of genres on there."

Being included in Roc Nation carries some heavy responsibilities. With artists like Rihanna, J. Cole and of course Jay-Z, Lily realizes that even though she is in good company she still has a lot to prove due to being the 'new comer' in the group.

"Automatically being signed to Roc Nation gives you a platform, but it's all down to you from there," Lily said. "No one is going to get up there and sing for you or produce your music, you do that for yourself thats how you become successful. Push yourself as much as you're willing to put in. It's all good pressure and it gets people's attention, but you have to maintain their attention to be successful."

You may have watched Lily Hudson on stage at the hackney weekend concert and thought ‘OMG! I wish I could see her live!’ Well your prayers have been answered as Lily has just announced she is hitting the road. In celebration of her second single release 'Outcome' and her chart topping album 'Power' (released Friday) Lily will stage two exclusive headline shows with a performance at the Hammersmith Apollo on the 29th of August 2013 and London’s O2 arena on the 30th of August 2013.

The new dates offer a chance to see Lily Hudson headline at venues following her recent festival performances at the Radio One Hackney Weekend. If her second single is anything to go by, her live show is bound to be a party! Make sure you are there!

Tickets will be on sale Friday 22nd February 2013 from 9am.

The songs on the new album offer a chance to see Lily Hudson singing a range of different genres of music where you see her how you’ve never seen her before. 

The songs that feature on the album:

Album  

1. Can you party

2. From time to time

3. Outcome

4. Unique 

5. The beginning

6. Heartbeat

7. Shooting stars

8. Wild side

9. Blush

10. Trouble

11. Ripped Apart

12. Vibe

13. Closer

Photo shoot planning document

Photo shoot planning document

Shoot date and time: Saturday 22nd December 

Front cover image

Image description - a posed image with head slightly tilted, but still looking directly into the camera to still be the main focus, this image will show her clothing which will determine what the audience portrays her personality as

Lighting - artificial lighting with flash from the camera to give a detailed sharp image

Costumes - wearing a light colored top so its not patterned and the focus of the image, with make up and a leopard print headband which gives an urban vibe to go with the genre of my magazine

Plan of shot - close up image, just a head shot to show her face clearly and to present her clothing and personality accurately.

Contents page image

Image description - a black and white posed image, holding hair back and looking through her arm directly into the camera

Lighting - artificial lighting in front of a green screen

Costumes - to be wearing a leather jacket and dark eye makeup for an edgey feel to the image as a whole

Plan of shot - close up image of only head and shoulders

Equipment - i will need a green screen for this image

Web cam image for double page spread

Image description - a simple web cam image to look like the model took it herself to go with the story 

Lighting - quite dark to look like its taken in her own room via webcam

Costumes - a casual flowery top, it will be a close up shot of just her face and hair so costumes in this image is not so important 

Plan of shot - close up image of models face

Double page spread images

Image description - a photograph for album cover which will be included on the double page spread and a black and white image of her looking into the camera

Lighting - natural lighting of black and white image which focuses on her face which is brightened 

Costumes - a white top to go with the brightness of the image as a whole, dark make up to make her face stand out

Plan of shot - mid shot for double page spread to show her whole body and a close up image for the album cover

Shoot location: The artists home as this is where they are most comfortable. The front cover shots and black and white image for double page spread will be taken against a white background. Web cam image will be taken where they are most comfortable in their room.

Model/person: Jenn Webb

Contact details: jenn_webb@hotmail.co.uk

Equipment - The equipment I will need to take my images for my music magazine is a camera and a green screen for professional looking images.

Location planning

The location of my photo shoot will be at my models home, this is in order to make her look as natural as possible, comfortable in her normal clothes and will be a quick and easy way to get the photos I need for my music magazine. By doing the photo shoot at her home this will make her more comfortable to pose instead of being in a different photo shoot environment with a lot of people watching. The final images for my magazine will be professional and laid back rather than my model trying hard to pose which makes it look less natural.

Costume and Props for my music magazine

My chosen genre for my music magazine is R&B, Hip Hop, in the images I will take for my music magazine I will have to make it clear of what the genre of music my magazine is. As seen in the mood board I created there is a clear urban edgy vibe to what the celebrities wear in order to stand out and be a style icon. For my front cover I will dress my model for my music magazine in a simple plain top, smokey eye make up with a fur leopard print headband on for the main focus to be solely on her.

The image I will use on my contents page, I will take of my model posing with again dark make up, but this time in a leather jacket to give an edgy vibe. The first image for my double page spread is a webcam image of her relaxing so the image will be quite laid back where she looks quite natural whereas the main image for my double page spread is a mid shop of my model and she will wear a light colored top again for the focus to be on her, she will also wear a ring to add some jewelry to the image. I have placed my model in everyday comfortable outfits which represent her own personal style and the style of the magazine. The costumes and props I have used for my magazine link in with the mood board I created for this genre, as I have used certain props and costumes in order to give an edgy urban feel to the magazine as a whole as seen in my mood board.