Photography Test Shoot

This image would be good for a double page spread as my model is situated on the left side of the frame, symbolising dominance. I could use the space on the right of the image to place my feature, for example an interview, to make my magazine look artistic. A bad point of this image is that, because of the hand, the light isn't reaching my models face. 

The eyeline in this photo is directed to the readers, allowing a relationship to be created with the reader that makes them feel more involved with the magazine, almost as if it has been created specifically for them. The use of a hand reaching out also accomplishes this, making the reader feel the artist is literally reaching out to the reader.

Because this photo is landscape and the top of my models head is cut off, this close-up couldn't feature on my cover and would therefore probably appear in my contents page or double page spread. The model is leaning forward, which immediately brings him closer to the reader. The lighting makes one side of his face lighter than the other, which could suggest an ambiguous character. 

If I wanted my artist to come across as moody and mysterious, I would have to rethink the facial expression as this one depicts him to be very cheerful and open. Like the previous image, the eyeline connects with the reader.

This medium close-up would be used in my contents page as because it's quite a humorous pose, the reader is drawn into finding out more about the artist because it hints that the article will be entertaining. To make this image better, I would make my prop look more acceptable by straightening the stalk so it doesn't look out of place. The facial expression here shows the model to be a happy-go-lucky and spontaneous character.

The eyeline is in the top third of the frame, making the model seem powerful and sure of himself, much like the confident artists featured in magazines similar to my genre ('Kerrang!' and 'RockSound'). However, unlike other magazines of the same genre, the facial expression is less mysterious and moody. This could be both a positive and a negative - it could make my magazine stand out but it could also be seem to be something that's abnormal that potential buyers interested in the genre aren't interested in. 

This photo would be good for either a contents page or a double page spread, as there is room on both sides for an article. The lighting in this image is un-even on both sides of my model, which is a flaw and is something I must make sure doesn't happen in any of the images used in my magazine as it looks messy and unprofessional. The model is stood straight and sturdy, which is a common aspect of my genre as it shows confidence and 'coolness', this makes the reader aspire to be just as self-assure. The facial expression could be described as frightened and/or nervous, this will make the reader want to find out what has caused this emotion. 

This medium close up would be good for a front cover however I would need to make more room for the mast-head at the top, but as it stands it would be good for a double page spread. Using headphones relates to the genre of my magazine and the combining of holding them away and a 'mid-yell' facial expression connotes that the music my model is playing is both heavy and loud, which again fits my magazine genre. However, the lighting in this shot doesn't reach the left side, which is a flaw I will need to prevent in my final shots. 

The eyeline is in the top third, which is common for front covers as it makes the reader feel the model/artist has more power than them and therefore they feel subliminally obligated to buy the magazine. This is effective as because it's subliminal, the potential buyer doesn't feel offended. 

This medium long shot (which is taken from a high angle looking down, suggesting vulnerability) would be good for a double page spread as it would be on the left and dominate the whole page, with the eyeline looking down towards the actual feature. This image makes my model seem shy (because they're not looking at the camera, the eyeline is directed down and his face is turned slightly away) but also cheeky as he has a smile playing on his lips. Again, the shadow in this image creates a messy finish to the photo and should be something I prevent in my final shots. There is also a mark on the lens which is apparent in this photo and makes the image look messy.

This is another image that would be good for my front cover if I had created enough room for the masthead at the top, as it stands it would be a good image for a double page spread. He is stood upright and firm, like the last image which again, tells the reader he is confident. Unlike the last image though, his facial expression is serious, which shows to a reader of a music magazine that my model is serious about his music. This is a contrast to the last image which makes him seem slightly more shy, which highlights how important my decisions about facial expressions and body language as the photographer are as they help construct the whole perception being created.
Like before, there is a mark on this phote and the lighting isn't very good on the left side, which both make the image look very messy.

This test shoot made me consider the poses for my magazine. On my front cover, I will make my model have a pose like in the last image. The body language and eye-line make the reader think the music in this magazine is bold and confident.