Magazine cover and contents page

Light set-up and Photo shoot plan

The light set-up i will use when taking the images I will use on my magazine cover and contents page is the two light set up. The advantages of the two light set up is that it adds more light to the image, and prevents the models face from becoming shadowed on one side of their face. When the light reflects off the the umbrella and down onto the subject, the main light provides some light but the opposite side of the model can become shadowed, so by using another light and umbrella on the opposite side, not only does it brighten the image but it also prevents it becoming shadowed. 

For the image I plan to use on my front cover the set up will be much like the two light set up in my diagram. I will be taking the photograph from directly infront of my model, whose body and shoulders will be at a 45 degree angle to the camera and her face will be turned to face directly into the camera. My model will be using a folder as a prop and will be holding this in her arm. The image will be a medium close up, and by using the rule of thirds I will ensure that her eye line falls on the top third line as this makes the audience feel as though they are on the same level and can relate to the model. 

For my contents page I will be using the same light set up and overall layout, but I will instead take the image as a long shot, with the models entire body in the shot. Also, the models entire body will be faced towards the camera. Again I will be taking the photograph from directly in front of the model, to ensure that she looks on a level with the audience and so that people feel as though the image is more personal.  

I want both of my images to be fairly bright as I want to general atmosphere of both of my images to be fairly positive and everyday, as this is something that students can relate to in their everyday lives. 

Flat Plan Rationale

    

I have used purple for the colour of my magazine title, QE, as purple is the main college colour, with a white/cream background to ensure that the text and images stand out. I have used a green background with yellow text for the banner at the bottom of the page as these colours relate to the festival article. The rest of the text for the sell lines and skyline I have used black as it is a fairly gender neutral colour which ensures the magazine doesn't look too feminine with the purple title.

All of my sell lines would appeal to the target audience of college students as they relate to college life, and the general types of events that interest students, for example festivals. I have placed the sell lines down the left side of the cover so that they don't overlap the image. This placement of the sell lines ensures that they are noticeable and easy to read, with the headlines being short yet still making it clear what the article is about. 

For the image on my cover, Charlotte will be my model. She will be holding a file as a prop, and will be wearing stylish everyday college clothes. I believe that my model, the props, and her clothing would all appeal to the audience of my college magazine as this is all something they can relate to and she is clearly a fellow student. The shot will be a medium close-up and the lighting will be fairly bright.

For the title of my magazine and the main sell lines I will use the font Varsity from the website Da Font. For my sell lines on the cover i will use the font Arial Narrow, in the size 55 for the main sell line, College Survival Guide, and in size 45 for the other sell lines. I believe these fonts are appealing as they aren't too fancy and complicated, therefore making the sell lines and title look more spaced out and overall more sophisticated. The sizes ensure that the title overall stands out more, with the main sell line standing out more over the other sell lines. 

For my contents page i will use the same colour pallete and fonts, although i will scale down the sizes to ensure all the text fits on the page, so that my cover and contents look consistent. The articles featured on my contents page will relate to the college magazine and therefore appeal to the audience. For example, Problem Pages, Sports pages, and Events pages. I will then use images that relate to each of these articles. Having plenty of images as well as text on the contents page will ensure that the page doesn't look too cluttered with text.