Photography PlanningIdeas for photographs for each page, including setting, props, costumes, shot types and

composition.

Setting

• I want my main cover photo to be taken in a ‘studio-like’ setting so that it has a plain background I can contrast other items with (e.g. other images or fonts). I would preferably like to take a mid-shot or close-up (I will take a range and see what works best) as that’s quite conventional for a magazine. However, so that the image is more interesting I plan to use elements of mise-en-scene to make the photo more eye catching and conventional.

• For my contents page, I plan to take a range of different photos to make the contents page more fascinating and attention-grabbing and also reach the target audience to the best of my ability.

• For the double page spread, I plan to link it to the main image on the front cover so I will use the same person and photos that link to the main image.

Props

• On the front cover I don’t plan to use any props as I want to keep the main focus just on the cover story and the main cover lines. I feel that using props will make the photo look to busy and distract attention anyway from the things I want to be highlighted.

• I may use props amongst some of the other photos, however, I will take a range of photos some with props (musical instruments etc.) and some without to see what works better.

Costumes

• Costumes for the front cover will rely purely on the mise-en-scene and make-up used within the shot as I plan to take a close-up image so the costume won’t really be seen.

• For the contents page, I will use a range of costumes within the images to suit the genre I am trying to convey. For example, to convey the pop genre in the photos I will use bright colours/relaxed clothing to help portray this.

• For the double page spread I plan to use a range of both costume and make-up to portray the genre of my magazine through my use of imagery.

Shot Types

Front Page Contents Page Double-Page Spread

I plan to use a mid-shot or a close-up (I will take a range of both and see what works best) to use as the main image on my front cover. If the mid shot is selected I will make sure body language is portrayed to help signify that the genre is ‘fun’, ‘happy’ or ‘relaxed’ etc. If the close-up is selected then the technical elements will be utilized to make the image as interesting as possible.

For the contents page, I plan to take several images and place them on the page to make the page more interesting. If you have band shots – wide shots will be the best way forward to display them. If you have a solo artist or rapper etc. then a low angle will be appropriate as it will make them look more powerful and intimidate the audience. For solo singers, close-ups, mid and long shots will be applicable to use.

On the double page spread I plan to use a variety of mid-shots, close-ups and long shots to portray the artist and their body language from within the photo. Taking several different photos of the artist will help to portray them.