Research of Photography

Photo framing/ composition

The composition of photography is the way you position the subject or the subjects in the frame. A well-composed photograph should be readable and understandable, delivering a message.

The composition is a key element of good photographs and includes the Photo composition main rule: the rule of thirds

The main rule in photo composition is the rule of thirds, also called golden rule:

This photo of a landscape shows the rule of thirds. The red boarders are indicators separating the different layers of the landscape. The top 3^rd horizontal division consists of the blue sky. The middle consists of the main part of the image, focusing on the centre of the hills. The last horizontal third is of the grass, creating a divide with the rest of he photo.

This photograph is a portrait of man with the golden rule used to show how the photo is divided. In this case, one of the thirds conventionally and nearly crosses the eyes of the individual.

Composition and framing link

Lighting

The lighting is a great presence in a photograph. It can create an object or person to be highlighted in the frame or unnoticed. In this photograph the woman is in the spotlight with the only two colours presence of black and white. This creates an enigma but focusing on the lighting, the contrast between the white around her head and the black is softened and diffused together. This connotes a light and delicate feel that work well as the subject is a female.

Mise-en-scene

The mise- en- scene in both photos are very different. Peter Jones is wearing a suit compared to Lil wayne who is wearing colourful but yet youthful clothing. A hoodie, and gold chains connotes and reflects the younger generation. In contrast to another rich individual, Peter Jones who mirrors older and more sohisticated type of indivuals.

As a result we cann see mise- en -scene is vitally important as it conveys different messages.

Single point of interest

Each picture should have only one principal idea, topic, or center of interest to which the viewer's eyes are attracted. Insignificant elements within the picture must support and focus attention on the principal feature so it alone is emphasised.

A picture without a dominant center of interest or one with more than one dominant center of interest is puzzling to a viewer. Subsequently, the viewer becomes confused and wonders what the picture is all about. When the picture has one, and only one, dominant point of interest, the viewer quickly understands the picture.

As you can see photography is a significant part to my project. Photography is a large topic and must be studied to have a better understanding of how to take a photo, knowing what connotation is giving out to the audience.

Conventions of rock

Codes and Conventions

From my research of rock magazines, I have recognised common codes and conventions in rock magazines.

Focusing on the front cover of rock magazines, they share very similar features. They usually consist of a rock artist or a rock group presenting themselves from their stationary stance. However, an even common factor on the front cover is rock artists who are performing and showing signs of movement and life.

Specifically, looking at the artists shown on the front cover, seem to normally have long hair. The mise- en- scene also attains individuals having eccentric make up, or costumes. Props, such as guitars and microphones are also well known on rock covers, which associate with rock music, especially from the tattoos and wide-open mouthed facial expressions enforcing common conventions of rock magazines.

Stereotypically, specific codes and conventions are always required when thinking and creating a rock magazine. The common theme is also shared on the contents page. Usually, the contents is mixed with images and words. Page numbers are on top of images; columns are also a common convention to present the contents to the audience, suggesting an appealing appearance to the reader.

Double page spreads contain different codes and conventions, as they want to portray specific meanings towards the audience. However, some features are kept the same, such as the text appears to be so inferior to the image, from the small lettering typeface of the text compared to the dominant image of the rock star. Quotes are also used to intrigue the audience to usually draw the reader, and perhaps shorten the article into a short statement.

These codes and conventions are used throughout society to represent the rock magazines. As a result from these features staying the same, individuals know what they are looking at from the simple denotations from rock magazines.