contents page feedback

As using the communication app found on Apple app store, whatsapp, I was able to contact a young male who is apart of my target audience, who is into hip hop and the culture surrounding it. attached bellow is a print screen demonstrating his instagram blog which can give you a general idea of his overall dress sense and take of hip hop and fashion, he is also associated with an up and coming youth created hip hop group which focus on fashion within hip hop, so i thought it would be valuable to gain an insight as to what he thought of my contents page.

I whatsapped him to get his opinion of the contents page and whilst doing this i sent him a list of questions stating:

1. what features on this contents page do you find stands out the most/favorite.
2. do you think the colour scheme on this represents Hip Hop
3. in comparison the XXL magazine contents page do you see similar conventions and if so what
4. are you able to see that this contents page belongs/is for a Hip Hop magazine and how (name around 2 features)

Evidence of my whatsapp
















In return to these questions, he was then able to send me a voice note/ message. This response will be attached bellow. with his response I will now be able to use this feedback to develop and further structure my double page spread

contents page colour scheme

contents page tattoo analysis

through out the 80s-90s tattoo was a form of art within the genre and culture of hip hop which expressed the truth within the ghettos in which the majority of the artists grew up. 

some tattoos where a representative of their family/ home location etc. and this art has now risen into the mainstream culture of hip hop and is now considered as a casual accessory for a hip hop artist hence the reason for my decision for the use of a tattoo on my model/artist on my contents page 

contents page text features

a short slidley discussing all my text features

contents page layout

 

This is presented using a PowerPoint slide which has been saved as a jpeg

Contents page test shots

These are selection of photographs which I have taken presenting my use of  exploration of the  theme of hip hop.

contents page shot list

made using an editing side using Gliffy

contents page deconstruction

On the journey to creating my magazine contents page I thought in order to have an effective professional appearing magazine, it would only make sense to continue focusing on my muse which I have been focusing on so far for my magazine and that is XXL's magazine. In the process of creating my contents page it is important for me to deconstruct XXL's contents page as I will use similar features within my own to assure conventions of hip hop magazines are met.

front cover target audience feedback

As away to demonstrate my ability to use multiple media forms to gather information, i decided to gather information via whats app from two females within my target audience age group. this will give me concentrated and detailed analysis of what my target audience think of the final product. this will not only give my work a seal of approval but it will also help with the progression of my magazine product i.e My contents page and my double page spread.

I have used the communication App downloaded through Apple store, whatsapp. through this i have used two representatives named Tamera and Sharna. Here they are discussing what they most like about my Front cover.

i then went on to asking if they could see the link to the genre of Hip Hop. where sharna then went on to replying bringing forth the observation that there are not many females within hip hop to be able to identify the genre, right off the back. this has enabled me to gather that my use of going against the convention of using a male as a main figure within my magazine.

Front cover linking to research

Front cover features

Better quality on YouTube, hover over the video and click in the YouTube sign or if easier here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dlJ9fdVC3o&feature=youtu.be

front cover layout decisions (Text)

  

          

          When looking at my flat plan and my final front cover it is clear to see that the main    image used is completely different from my original draft. On my flat plan my original  idea surrounded the camera shot of a close up at a slight low angle this was chosen to  highlight my artists strength in regards to her music, my whole point of using this  specific shot was to embrace female strength and identity within hip hop.

          The layout of the text on my front cover is very simple (purposefully). The positioning  of the writing on the left hand side is quit small, this was not only to add depth to the  page but to also incorporate evidence that I know and understand current artists at  this present time.

          On  the right hand side I also added some more names of current and big hip hop  artists this demonstrates once again understanding of current trends and the ability to  incorporate my knowledge of the evolution of hip hop. I have very limited text on my  front cover this is due to the magazine that I am using as inspiration (XXL) using very  minimal text, this provides an accurate link to conventions used on hip hop magazines,  which adds depth and detail on to my own magazine enabling it to appear more  professional.

        The Name of my artists Erykah jane’e is boldly stamped just underneath her shoulder, the positioning of this is due to it best suiting the shot chosen as well as the fact that is font size is quit large. In order for the shot not to become  distracted by the font I placed it to the far right hand side ;this tactic will give the audience clear knowledge of who is on the front of the cover with the ability of allowing the audience to still see the distinct front cover.

        I also used the caption ‘eye candy of the year’ this was an added feature to my magazine which I thought it would  be effective as it would draw my audience featuring both women and males that where considered as the biggest ‘eye candies’ in hip hop. Above that caption I added a feature of a cross to signify me using/ adding an extra feature within the magazine. My decision to place it above the caption was  not only to show its and added feature but also due to it being a convention used on many of the XXL front covers

photoshop manipulation

Due to the type of picture that was chosen for my main image on my front cover, there was not much manipulation that was needed to take place. Here we have a YouTube video showing the simple stages of getting ride of  the spots on my models face (facial manipulation),using Photoshop to manipulate the image carefully.

HHW masthead

I created my masthead from the inspiration of on eof the most established hip hop magazines to date XXL this magazine masthead is simple yet effective. the colours used are ones which can help define the brand within itself. my reasoning for choosing that magazine in particular was due to the simplicity of the masthead. with the element of time management at bay, the preparation for my masthead was very simple. the most complicated element of creating my masthead was in fact finding my font. the font used within the XXL masthead is bold yet smooth and these characteristics where hard to find. with the help of a font generating site named 'Dafont' I was able to find an almost identical font named 'headline'.overall I am pleased with the outcome of the masthead

shots taken

Once my test shots had been completed, I had the pleasure of working with my artists where I then shot numerous photos of her. once the photos had been taken I then went on to the process of elimination where I chose the best images possible, reflecting a strong female hip hop artist (who are generally misrepresented within the majority of magazines). I then went on to choosing the last picture as my front cover image as I believe it was a clear representation of my creative desires for my magazine .

The use of mise-un-scene for my artists was very important, from my secondary and primary research it was well acknowledged that many associate hip hop with jewellery so it was definitely an important factor for me to incorporate this element into my front cover. The positioning of the jewellery was also important for me to contemplate. initially (as seen in my front cover flat plan) I wanted the artist to hold the jewellery in her hands with some of it seeping through her fingers, this originally was to establish my artist as having Hip Hop in the palms of her hands, however it soon became visible that the position was very difficult to hold, so instead of holding 'hip hop' I then pictured a sense female domination (reasoning why I then chose to shoot at a low angle) this not only enhanced the vision of feminine identity within hip hop but also incorporated the use of the mise-en-scene of the jewellery hanging down.

The angle at which i shot my model allowed my to gain vital lighting angles in order to manipulate the background using Photoshop to make it darker. the use of a bright light at a low angle and a slight dim light at a very high angle allowed the light to bounce off of the artist face, highlighting strong features within her face such as her cheek bones and her jaw line, giving the impression that golden contour.I had my model wear a massive denim jacket skirt with just a bra underneath. I've made her wear that as her hair and skin tone where similar shades so to avoid so much of one colour I wanted to place her in an item which not only reflects the era of hip hop I am focusing on (80s/90s) but to also enhance her skin tone and allow the picture to add a touch of edge. my reasoning to place my model within a bra was simply to pay attention to the fact that women in hip hop are well associated with the fat of being 'sexy' and it is an important attribute to most women so in order to add convention to my magazine front cover the use of this outfit choice will reflect my general understanding for women with the industry.
I have chosen the last image as not only is it a good quality image, it also embodies the hip hop cultural element generally shown in the 80s/90s. despite this not being similar to my flat plan the concept of female empowerment still remains, suggesting I am keeping in theme of my drafts drawn within my flat plans and shot lists.

Test shots- Lighting

The role of lighting within the genre of hip hop (on magazines) directly links in with the artists personality& rhythmic flow, helping form the publics perception of that individual. for example the lighting work used on hip hop female artist Nicki Minaj will most definitely not be similar to the male Hip Hop artist DMX within a photo-shoot,. In order to portray my artist in a positive yet "thug" light I thought it would be useful and interesting to test angles of lighting and seeing how the use of lighting may radiate a specific attitude or sense of power
with understanding, I am aware this may be  going against conventions within hip hop magazines where most shots use bright lighting to illuminate the females beauty, how ever my main goal is to deflect from Beauty an focus on talent.

overall after taking these images it  became clear to see that using lighting to create a shadow effect was harder than expected. initially I believed that the shadow would carry much more depth. with this understanding I will not only use the lighting to create a shadow effect but with the help of Photoshop I will be able to the shadows and add depth into them to appear more Hip Hop authentic.

Test shots- front cover

Shot List

these are the possible camera angles and shots that I would like to use on my Final cover contents page spread. with the use of this shot list I hope to capture great images that capture and portray a realistic hip hop magazine. on my shot list I have briefly mention mise-en-scene and the angles at which I wold like to use. these shots may not reflect the images that will be 100% used as some of the positioning's may not look as great overall. overall I hope to demonstrate a variety of images capturing the true authentic hip hop culture