Evaluation

What have you learnt from completing this task?

By completing this task I have learnt how to use conventions to create a successful magazine. Before this task I didn't know what the conventions of a magazine were. However now I feel I am able to identify the conventions of a magazine, and use them myself.

I have also learnt how to present my work in a new way. By using a blog to show my work and the process of producing a magazine, I feel I have learnt how to present my work a better way. I prefer it to the usual way of presenting my work on paper. Using a blog has taught me how to be more organised with my work.

This task has pushed me to be a more independent learner. As I have produced my work by myself and in my own time. I have enjoyed being more independent, as it feels like more of a personal success when I finish my work. Being more independent has taught me how to manage my time, and take more responsibility for my own work.

This task has also shown me the importance of planning my work. As I knew what I was doing, and it helped me to produce a good looking cover. Also this task has shown me that using a blog is a great way to record my planning.  

During this task I also became more skilled at Photoshop and other technology that I used to produce the front cover.

What technology have I use?

The main technology I used to produce my magazine cover was Photoshop. I used it to produce my final cover.

I also used a camera to capture the pictures I needed for my magazine. During the process I learnt how to use different camera angles to create a different mood. I also learnt which camera angle would be best to use for a front cover.

I used a mobile camera to take the pictures of the mise-en-scene and the different camera angles. I learnt that my mobile's camera didn't produce an image which was of high enough quality to use as my front cover picture. I also found that it was complicated to put the pictures from my mobile onto a computer. Where as when I used the professional camera I found I much preferred the quality of the photographs. It was also a lot easier to move photos from the camera to a computer, because of the SD card.
I also used Google Docs as a way of displaying a lot of my planning. I used it to create the colour schemes, to display the possible names for my college magazine, for creating the draft contents and cover page and also for labelling the conventions on the magazine.

I What conventions have I used and why?

I have used many of the conventions that can be found on a average profession magazine. I have used; A masthead, a plug, date, price, issue number, feature story, main story, main image, website, slogan and pull quotes. The planning process has changed the way I would've used these conventions. Because of the planning process I knew where to put each of the conventions to make my magazine professional.

Production of final cover

This was the picture I choose to use for the cover of my magazine. 

CHANGING THE SCALE

I used the transform scale to change the scale of the image.

Before;

After;

(When changing the scale it's important to hold the shift key.)

MAKING EYES GREENER

Step 1:

Using the quick selection tool, I selected her iris.

Step 2:

I made a new layer for the colour.

Step 3:

I used the paintbrush tool to colour in the selected area. 

Step 4:

I then used the opacity tool to fade the colour and make it look more natural.

The opacity tool;

MAKING THE BAG PINK

I wanted to make her bag pink so that it would match the masthead and also so that it would be easier to read the white writing on top of it.

Step 1:

I first used the quick selection tool to select the white checks on her bag.

Step 2:

I then, on a new layer, used the paint bucket tool to fill in the selected area.

Step 3:

Finally I turned down the opacity on the layer to make it look real.

MAKING THE PLUG

Step 1:

In a new page, using the ellipse tool I drew a circle.

Step 2:

I then made it the same colour as the mast head.

Step 3:

After, I used the text tool to write in the circle. 

The text tool:

Step 4:

I then merged all the layers of the plug to make it easier to move.

Step 5:

I then put the plug onto the cover.

Final Cover

Mise en scene

Pictures taken for front cover

First try at photoshop

Camera framing

An extreme close up is an image taken extremely close to the subject. It can show details that are not usually seen by the human eye. An extreme close up shows none of the background. I think the picture I took is a good example of an extreme close up. However I don't think that an extreme close up would be an appropriate camera angle to use for my main image.  

A close up is an image taken close to the subject, but includes some of the background. I think the picture I took is a good example of a close up. However I don't think that I would like to use a close up as my main image, as it doesn't show enough of the subject and wouldn't included the props I would use.   

A medium close up is an image taken of a figure from the knees or waist up. I think the picture I took wasn't the best example of a medium close up; I would have liked to have taken a image that included more of the model. I think that a medium close up would be a good angle to use as it would included any props I would want to use, as well as a better view of the background (compared to a extreme close up/close up). 

A high angle is an image taken from above the subject. I think the picture I took was a good example of a high angle picture. However I don't think I would choose to use a high angle image for my front cover, because it makes the subject look small, and this isn't what I want for a front cover main image. 

A low angle is an image taken from below the subject. I think the picture I took was a good example of a low angle, but I don't think that it is a very good picture. This is because the models hair and the sky are the same colour, they blend, the picture is also too bright. I don't think I would want to use a low angle image as a main image, because it makes the model appear very big, and it isn't the most flattering angle. 

A two shot is a image taken of two people from the waist or knees up. I think the picture I took was a great example of a two shot. I may want to use a two shot for m main image, however it may look too crowded for a main image. 

A central image is an image framed with the subject in the center. This image may also be a long shot, however they tend to show more of the surroundings. I think the picture I took is an okay example of a central image. I may want to use a central image for my main cover, because it shows some of the surroundings and would also show any props that I may want to use. 

Digital draft of cover and contents page

Cover page

I have included the conventions that you would find on a successful magazine. I have tried to create a simple layout, so that my magazine looks clean and professional. (I also meant to include the price along with the Date/Issue no.).

Contents page

Colour scheme ideas

The magazine I'm designing is aimed at all college students, so it's important to have a colour scheme which is gender neutral. It's also important to have at least one vivid colour in a scheme to make it eye catching, to make it stand out from other magazines. It's also best to only have 3 colours, to keep it simple and clean looking.

Colour scheme 1

Colour scheme 2

Colour scheme 3

Colour scheme 4

Colour scheme 5