Main task: Music magazine photoshoot

 Before creating my music magazine I researched what kind of pictures are conventionally featured on the front cover of a Rock magazine. I found that every cover I included in my research featured one large main cover image accompanied by several smaller images. The main image reflected the main feature in the magazine and often featured a star model, for instance Kerrang featured Green Day singer and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong. For my own magazine cover I decided to feature one main image to match the conventions of the magazines in the same genre, this main image would represent the main feature of the magazine, an interview with the lead singer of a fictional band named 'DAWN'.

The image above, and the five below feature my model (Alex Sargisson) with a guitar. This was the basis for my image, as I chose the genre of Rock it was imperative that I included a guitar on the main cover picture in order to let readers know right off the bat what the genre of the magazine is. I told Alex to pull an intimidating facial expression and gesture with his free hand, I wanted his attitude towards the reader to scream 'Rock' and make the genre inescapable.
I chose Alex as my model because he nicely fits the stereotype of a Rocker. His face is moody and expressive with a powerful and controlling stare that will contribute to the attraction of readers. His body is a desirable build, he is muscular to a degree and doesn't look out of place in tighter clothing that undoubtedly matches the fashion of your typical Rocker.

 I did not like the first image at all, the camera is looking down on the model making him look smaller and less powerful. His facial expression was also not what I was searching for, he looks somewhat childish which is most certainly not the look I was going for.The lighting in this image was also undesirable seeing as his face is shaded and unlit.

The second image turned out much better in comparison to the first. The flash on the camera worked this time and successfully lit the upper section of his body quite nicely. However his facial expression wasn't right, he looks more like a depressed teenager instead of a powerful adult. He has a more solid stance but he lacks the real emotion of someone performing for the hundreds on stage.

The third image lost all that was significant in the second. Alex's expression became more friendly and inviting, his stance and grip on the guitar is much more relaxed. This did not represent the tense, strong male figure I was looking to present on the front cover.

The fourth image shows Alex as a strong individual, but because he isn't looking at the camera there will be no connection with the reader. It is because of this lack of connection that Alex seems mysterious and it is hard to gauge his attitude. On the other hand I do like his stance and the way he holds the guitar close to his body, this tells me that his guitar is a valued possession that wields great power.

This fifth image is my favourite. Alex is looking straight at the camera and therefore the reader, you can identify his emotions just by looking into his eyes which is something that will attract readers. The lighting on this picture was successful in this instance, Alex's face is clear and well lit.

This image is not well lit, Alex is also looking facing the camera at an angle which is not what I wanted.









Prop and costume list:
Guitar
Plain grey shirt
Denim Jeans

Star Model: Alex Sargisson