Photo Design Ideas

I've started writing the opinion piece I decided to include in my magazine. Since I go to a Florida public school, all of my English classes have only taught me how to write essays for standardized tests so I researched how to write an opinion piece. I found a small document and an article outlining the steps to writing an opinion piece. I also got really good information regarding photography in an article that talked about how to use photography for social commentaries.

For my images, I've planned out and sketched some of my ideas for when I shoot this weekend. I really like the simplistic design that is seen in the Justified magazine and I would like to incorporate it in my images. I feel that using clean lines will help tie the story and images into the overall theme of my magazine. In addition to the images I'm planning on shooting, I am going to look for old images I have that represent the idea of showing real emotion and showing the true story through photography.

"70 Most Beautiful Print Magazine Covers." DESIGN Dose. N.p., 23 July 2015. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.

Farrell, Aimee. "England's Most Eccentric Dresser Shows His 3,000-Piece Wardrobe in a New Exhibit." Vogue. Vogue, 31 Jan. 2017. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

"How to Write Magazine Articles and Essays." Write Nonfiction NOW! N.p., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 23 Mar. 2017.

"How to Write a Paper." (2012): n. pag. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.

"How to Write a Strong Opinion Piece." WTD. N.p., 18 Dec. 2016. Web. 29 Mar. 2017.

"Photography Education." ImageMaven.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2017.

"The Instagram Effect: Hiding Behind Social Media." I AM THAT GIRL. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2017.

Schedule

I did some research on social commentaries and while there are many things I am passionate about, I have to keep in mind that this is a Photography magazine so I need an art/photography themed subject. I'm planning on taking the pictures soon once I get a clearer picture of what I want. I had a schedule that I made a while ago, but I've done a lot of the things ahead of time and since I'm making changes to my idea the old schedule is void now.

While I'd like to finish everything before the end of this week, I'm going to give myself some time to do some final touches the last week before I record my Creative Critical Reflection.

Complete Change in Direction

    I was writing my story on Erin and I just couldn't get into it. I mean, what does this piece do to better the world? I've never been able to do something that has no point (even though the purpose of this is to pass my AICE Exam). I have to work towards a greater purpose. I felt like there was something off with my cover image and my article. I had felt happy when I finally had an idea, but I was never really happy with the actual idea, I just thought I was.

    Now I'm going to write an article about how people are trying to hide and create a separate person with photography by using programs like Instagram and Snapchat. I want to write a social commentary on the ways that photography is misused by today's youth. So now, instead of having the main story be a profile piece, I'll make the profile piece a Q&A with a famous photographer about photography as an art form. 

     So now I have to do a lot of research for my article and take more pictures to change my cover image to fit the new topic I've chosen. I feel much more comfortable with this idea. I feel like this is a positive change in my project.

Feedback and Changes

We got into groups today to talk about our projects and get feedback and I'm really glad we did. They told me everything that I had to change, and it's basically just a list of things I hadn't even considered. I have to:
1) Change the Masthead
2) Make the cover image more artistic
3) Include captions for "Erin's" images
4) Include more of "Erin's" images in in two-page spread.
It's good that I was able to get feedback on my work so I can actually have a good product because that's really the main objective here. So now I'm going to have to find pictures I've taken in the past and see if I have to take any pictures to use in my spread. I also think I might create another page in my magazine since I have mostly minor changes to do with what I already have. Of course, I still have to actually write the article featured in my spread, but I think I can include a small piece about "the world of photography."

Two-Page Spread

I've never written a profile piece before, so this is going to be an interesting learning experience for me. I found an article on how to write a profile piece that I think will help me with my task. I'm going to use the questions it provides to help me build my subject because, while I am basing my subject on an actual person, I have to create a person that has become famous due to their photography career. I've created a layout for my two-page spread, although I'm sure I will want to change something in the coming weeks as I perfect my magazine.

"How to Write a Profile Feature Article." The New York Times. The New York Times, n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2017.

Shooting Day!

Today I went out to shoot the pictures for my cover page as well as those for my two-page spread. I'm planning on writing an article about of a famous photographer and what she did to get this far in the business. I found a slideshow that explains the typical characteristics of a two page spread. I think I should include images of Erin in the spread since it will be about her and her success. I will also include images that I will take next week to give examples of her work. I really like the images I've taken and I will start writing the article this coming week. Tomorrow I want to make the layout for my two-page spread so that when I write my article and choose my pictures, it'll be easier to put it all together.

Laurengibney Follow. "Codes and Conventions of a Double Page Spread." LinkedIn SlideShare. N.p., 30 Oct. 2011. Web. 18 Mar. 2017.

Layout Choices

Since I'm shooting my pictures this weekend I've decided to start creating the magazine cover and content page. I like both of my content page choices. I feel that choice two is more artistic and ties in to my topic nicely, it also uses most of the space available on the page. However, it doesn't allow for many topics to be displayed on the page.  Choice one, on the other hand, leaves a lot of empty space but that can be changed with a few edits. The blocks in choice one match the blocks in the image. I think I'm going to use choice one though, it allows for more information to be conveyed to the reader.

Content Page Choice 1

Content Page Choice 2

For my cover, I want to either have a traditional design in which my model looks straight at the camera or have a more artistic design that I haven't quite chosen yet. The design below may be a kind of design I can use but I have to decide that when I go shoot my pictures tomorrow. I'm planning on taking portraits of my model, Erin Imhof, in an environment that shows character and will help attract  those between the ages of 17 and 25 years.

Cover Page Layout

Inspiration and Ideas

I feel very inspired by VOGUE's cover images. While they have more sophisticated pictures and generally opt for portraits, I believe that they are a good magazine to  build off of since they were established in 1892. I think that including a person in my cover page is the best choice, I can place objects or graphic elements in the content page to diversify the magazine.I really like the idea of having a central image or abstract objects in the content page to intrigue readers. 

These two examples that I think are very interesting to look at and I would like to recreate a few elements shown. I think I should incorporate both black and white as well as color to diversify my magazine. Having a simple page and use of abstract images and color will benefit me because of my target audience. I believe that by incorporating these elements in my magazine will allow it to flow smoothly from one page to the next. Hopefully it will be as good as these examples.

Slight Change of Plans

Today as I was researching photography magazines when I realized, photography and graphic design go hand in hand. I’m going to try to incorporate graphic design elements into my magazine. I found this image on Pintrest, and I think I should incorporate a few graphic design elements into my magazine. I feel that it would make the magazine seem more elegant and interesting. Also including both portrait and landscapes will add variety to my magazine. By using graphic design elements, my options won't be limited when I begin to decide on ideas for my content page.

My Idea

I have decided to create a magazine to spread a message I believe is important enough to merit its own magazine. While Photography will never bee the subject of a UN conference, I believe that it is an important aspect of society. Without photojournalists, we wouldn't have images showing the horrors of Aleppo. Photography captures the best, the worst, and the mundane. While many don't see photography as an art form, it has the power to sway a generation. I will be targeting my magazine to hipsters which, according to Urban Dictionary, are generally between the ages of 17-25.  I will be able to use both peaceful and striking images to entertain my audience. Having a magazine centered on Photography allows people to see the world through the eyes of others.

"Hipster." Urban Dictionary. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.

"Set the Mood: 5 Colors for a Calming Bedroom." Houzz. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.