Induction Evaluation front cover-1

To collect my front cover image I used manual focus on the camera I used. I learnt whilst taking my images that the end ring of the camera enabled me to focus the shot and the bigger front ring enabled me to zoom. I learnt that the t stance was a position that I took the shot in based upon the positioning of my feet and arms, this resulted in me being able to focus my shot easier and get better close ups with my camera lens. My image was took in portrait mode as the shot was produced of a person, on the other hand if I was to be producing a shot of a specific scenery, landscape mode would have been more suitable as a certain object wasn’t the main subject matter of focus. I learnt about the 3 main uses of lighting such as: front, back and side. I wanted to base my image upon a facial expression and body language therefore I felt that back lighting was more appropriate to draw attention to the persons outline. At times when the lighting was from the front the model that I used became blinded by the sunlight resulting in a squinting facial expression. I didn’t consider using the rule of thirds within my photography although I did consider placing the model off the centre creating a direct effect. The eye line of the front cover model is high resulting in a superior and important role being represented. My aim was for the model to be presented as a famous celebrity, therefore the eye line level suits this. My background types differed from trees and a dark back wall. I decided to select the wall images for my front cover as I felt that it complimented the heading line which represented a dark and emotive storyline. I felt that if I used the background of the trees connotations of happiness would be inferred.  During the photography task I feel that I perhaps should have took a more serious approach, as some of the shots I took resulted in laughing and distorted images, although I am happy with my final picture.

When using Photoshop I used a range of different effects. I used the stoke tool on the tag lines to make them stand out in front of the dark background.  I used the lasso tool to add a circle tag to the cover to draw the reader’s attention to the winning offer. I placed the margins inside the magazine cover to silhouette the front cover model. I based the colour scheme on the main colours of burgundy, black and white. I felt these colours contrasted well together. Also my target audience for the magazine was based upon females within the age range of 18-26, therefore clashing bright colours I don’t believe will have been acceptable. With the use of burgundy; a shade of red, connotations of heat, love and passion will be created drawing the attention of a woman. The font I chose for the main title of the magazine I felt was simplistic and feminine by the curve of the lettering. I feel that there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to my first front cover design. More effects could have been used such as the shadowing effect. I also could use more Photoshop tools to present the model better such as removing blemishes. In addition I could have placed the front cover model on the left hand side of the cover as a cover is seen by the audience from the left to the right hand side, therefore that would have been more effective. I felt I struggled with Photoshop as I wasn’t familiar with the set up as I had not used it previously. I got confused with the layers at times. I also didn’t have a wide knowledge of the effects to use therefore was unable to apply to my image.