Reconnaissance into Locations

For my music magazine ‘Ultimately Pop’, I have chosen to use a plain background for my front cover, rather than a location. By taking my image on a plain background, this will then allow me to edit my final image when I carry out my practical so it is easy for me to add effects and any background images I need for my front cover. Whereas, if I took my image in a rural environment, such as a park, it would be harder to crop out any unnecessary items that are in the frame. In addition, it may cause some of the sell-lines to be less visible on a natural background. This will allow my front cover to be more eye-catching and vibrant. It will also allow me to edit the background to a bright and vibrant colour to make it stand out from other pop magazines. This is because a plain background is common in pop contents pages, as shown on the previous examples. This will allow my magazines to follow the general conventions of pop music magazines, but still stand out on the shelves.

Front Cover Location

The images used on my contents page will be set in indoor locations, such as in front of coloured walls or just inside a house. This is because most images in pop contents pages feature on bright backgrounds that make them stand out. Any images that are taken with items in the background, will be blurred. This allows the artist featured to stand out more. Whereas, the main image on the contents page will be taken on a plain background as it will feature the same artist as the front cover. The background will create a look of being taken inside a studio. This will make the images and the magazine as a whole look professional.

Contents Page Location

My double page spread will feature different locations. This is very common in pop magazine double page spreads. Like all the main images in my magazine, they main image of the double page spread will be on a plain background. This will allow me to edit the background and add the appropriate effects. It will also make the image look professional. This will also allow me to maintain the symbiotic link between the three pieces as the images will be in similar locations. Usually in double page spread articles, there are multiple images and my piece shall be no different. The smaller images will be taken in outdoor locations, creating the idea of the artist at concerts and meet and greets with her fans. I will also feature a smaller image of the artist in the ‘studio’ doing a fun pose looking happy and as if she is having the time of her life. This is because this is a common feature of pop double page spreads and will allow my magazine to look professional and like a real pop music magazine.

Double Page Spread Location

Analysis of Locations• The images on the previous slides show similar locations to the ones I am

planning to use for my music magazine. The majority of the images will be taken on plain backgrounds, like the image of Little Mix. This makes the image look as if it has been taken in a professional studio. This will make the image look as if it has been taken professionally. It will also give the overall magazine a more professional feel. The plain white background also allows the whole focus to be on the artists themselves. It makes the artists stand out against the plain background and makes the image more effective.

• The smaller feature images on the contents page and the double page spread will be taken in outdoor locations. For example, one of the images will be taken in a park, like the image of Taylor Swift. This will allow the image and the artist to relate to the target audience. This is because the target audience would be likely to go to the park to hang out with their friends. It also will make the double page spread look more professional as it is a common feature to have smaller related images of the artist in different locations, and a caption to explain why they are there.

• I am also planning to have an image on the double page spread of a ‘meet and greet’ with the artists fans. This image will also be taken in an outdoor location, such as a car park, as this is a common place for artists to meet their fans. This is because the fans wait there until the artists comes out of the building so they can meet them. This will also show the target audience that the artist likes to stop and see meet their fans, which will make the TA like them even more.

• Another location that could be used is any indoor location that looks as if it has a stage. This will create the look of the artist performing at a concert for their fans. Also, an indoor sofa area could be used to look like the artist is on a chat show. This will show that the artist is laidback and likes to go on shows to further reach out to their fans.