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.

Planning and research of audience theory

The Hypodermic needle theory

The Hypodermic needle theory consists of audiences that are manipulated by the creators of media texts. I strongly support this theory because certain media texts can come across to society and cause a huge impact. Certain individuals may prove more manipulated from their age group, such as the youth generation, which are much more vulnerable to the media as they are more easily convinced.

For example, the Jamie Bulger story was a real shock to the nation when the toddler was assaulted to his death by two youths. This brought certain people to think what had made the two murders do such a tragic thing. The theory of hypodermic needle may arise from this as, society and I think that the media was a huge influence on the two boys. A possibility could have been that the boys could have watched something similar on television, which may have re-enacted the incident.

Similarly, my magazine attains the normal codes and conventions of a rock genre, which have been analysed and studied. Certain individuals, such as punk rockers in reality share the same common features as they would look like in a rock magazine. As a result, when stereotyping rockers, long hair, chains, eccentric costumes and piercings arise to people when describing a visual denotation of them. From the media we can clearly see how people acknowledge themselves and the way we can distinguish who associates themselves with, in this case rock music, hip hop or any other category.

Therefore, the hypodermic needle theory can alter audience behaviour and thinking that might be easily changed by media-makers. This theory is also used to explain why certain groups in society should not be exposed to certain media texts and show how strong the media can influence people in what they do.

Radial analysis of double page spreads

Radial analysis of contents pages

Radial analysis of front cover rock magazines

Planning and analysing of magazines

Both of these magazines share the same genre of rock. Kerrang is a well known music channel and radio station playing rock music to viewers. The rock genre is also shown through the main singer of Green Day presented on the front cover with a guitar. Also conventional factors of mise en scene of a rock magazine of the character are shown through the use of his clothing. This is emphasised with his black shirt and trousers with his tie hanging down in a very casual motion.

In addition, the Mojo magazine reflects the genre of rock but in a subtler manner. Although we see a famous rock star he is just sitting down, presenting himself as very clam and motionless compared to the Kerrang magazine. Furthermore, he is also wearing a brown jacket that suggests a boring but yet sophisticated tone. Therefore, the Mojo magazine shows the rock genre in a less indirect way as the Kerrang cover suggests the rock genre in a more obvious way.

The magazines also convey to similar audiences as they share factors that express the rock genre. They both have clear images of rock artists representing the magazine who can immediately relate to rockers. The magazines clearly appeal to their audience from their content, such as rock bands, ‘Slipknot’ and ‘Wild beasts’. Also most of the texts on the front covers seem to have the same informal effect from their positioning of being at angle.

The denotations of the Kerrang magazine are shown clearly. The largest one is the image of the ‘Green Day’ music artist. This has an effect of telling the reader the magazine is about rock music and applies to anyone who likes rock.

The connotation of this main image is very dominant because of its’ low angle shot. It also connotes a very laid back approach, along with a cool sense by his waistcoat. The image also suggests a rock aspect because stereotypically people tend to symbolise rock with the colour black.

The denotation of the main image of the Mojo magazine is a Syd Barrett also telling the audience it is a rock magazine. This is also mentioned in the main cover line shown in the middle of the page.

Connotation of this image implies a less dominant effect since the artist is relaxed and is wearing a brown colour which is not very exciting. However, the magazine has cleverly shown their image in the middle of the page. The large skyline text appears to be the furthest away from the audience, with the masthead in the background amongst the main cover line and CD cover, which appears to be larger than Syd Barrett makes the main image positioned in the centre of the page. This also has another effect as this also creates a 3-D dimensional perspective as text and images appear to be coming out of the page.

The Kerrang magazine consists of many features, specifically a USP- a unique selling point. The type of language the magazine uses is so significant and grabs the reader’s attention. Using words like ‘PLUS’, ‘BEST’ and ‘WIN’ help to attract the audience of purchasing the magazine as they draw certain types of people.

Furthermore, the Mojo magazine also uses words, such as ‘FREE CD!’ and ‘YOUR VOTES COUNTED’. These phrases engage the audience and are selling points, which are vital to the magazine’s revenue. Also, focusing on the word ‘FREE’ is required to enhance the USP, which contributes to the magazine features.

Additionally, the Mojo and Kerrang magazine’s layout is fairly similar. This is because a music rock magazine front cover is usually very busy and filling up the page. From both magazines the main image is situated in the middle of the page with text around it. The masthead for the Kerrang and Mojo magazine is positioned behind the image, which gives a sense of popularity of the masthead and how confident the makers are of their title. The main cover line is also laid out in the middle of the page but in front of the image, which may cause the audience to get an idea of what the magazine is about.

Introduction of main task

My main AS media task is to now produce a music magazine. I will try and use my skills from the preliminary exercise and try to enhance my knowledge of creativity, especially by using programs such as Photoshop.

The genre that I have chosen to associate my music magazine to is rock. I think this allows me to challenge extreme codes and conventions, as rock magazines seem to demonstrate an eccentric theme.