My Weekly Monotoring Blog – 6th January 2012

This week my schedule states that on Monday, I will have created an organised file structure to store my work so that I know where everything is and to avoid confusion. This includes both my computer file structure and my physical folder structure. Tuesday was meant to be used to gather and collect my props ready for my “Sunway Runway” photoshoot next week. Wednesday was meant to be the photoshoot for the cover and contents page. Thursday was meant to be a review lesson, reviewing the images from my photoshoot and picking out the images I believe to be best. Over the weekend I am meant to be testing out my equipment for the next photoshoot and experimenting with Photoshop and Indesign on the images I have captured this week.

I am happy with my file structures. My computer is completely organised and the irrelevant documents have been deleted. As you can see I have seperated my folders by the current education level I am at (AS or A2) and then organised folders into subject areas, and then to keep things as simple as possible, I have organised my folders into years 2011 and 2012. This will help define where my new work and production and planning starts and where my research and previous work before the christmas/new year holidays ends. I also organised my other media work into a folder with dividers so that I can refer back to my previous material if I need any help or guidance from my research work.

There was a slight change to my schedule this week, as I intended to shoot my cover and contents page shots first and then move onto my “Sunway Runway”. However, because I had collected my props on Tuesday, inkeeping with my schedule and I had not yet decided on outfit choices for my front cover / contents page shots, I chose to swap them around. This means that although the images are not what I intended originally, it is still one of my photoshoots done. Infact the photoshoot that took place on Tuesday was probably the biggest as more images were required and there was the need for props and transport. Due to my planning, I was prepared earlier than I had thought for this photoshoot so instead of wasting time in the studio, I used it for what I was best prepared for.

I believe that my client would be pleased with this week because I have made progress and can begin looking at the images, editing them and making them as best as can be. I am pleased withmy work and actually believe that I have benefitted from the swap as I have completed what I considered to be the hardest shoot first.

Here are some of the images taken in this weeks “Sunway Runway” photoshoot. Using my contingency plans, I had asked 3 models to turn up to make sure that I had 2 at least that I required. In the end, all 3 models turned up, which was not a problem and actually offered me a greater choice for images and poses. The props were planned and provided by me and I had made sure that on my models there would be examples of at least one shorts & tshirt combination, a flower-patterened summer dress, dungarees, swimwear and a couple of accessories too, including a hat and sunglasses. I am quite happy with the outcome of my images. The poses look how I wanted them to and it does give off an overall summer-time vibe. I was happy with the amount of props I used, as it did make the pictures look colourful and definately added to the summer vibe I was trying to create. The predominant colour in this photoshoot was yellow because I believe this is a warm colour that people will often associate with summer and the sun. For a lot of my shots I tried to keep the poses quite natural, very happy and get a feeling of excitement for the summer time.

Here, I was looking for a casual style photo with the group of girls having a laugh, enjoying themselves dressed in there summer outfits. The props I used also helped to create levels in my images, with Beth sat on the towel, Zoe stood up and Ashleigh at the half-way height, posed on a chair. The colour yellow was very much present in this picture, with the flows, towel and Zoe’s top. I really like the overall look of this image and think it reflects what I am trying to do well.

Zoe looks very casual and comfortable sat down on this beach towel. This pose gives the reader a good relaxed impression of my model and how comfortable she is in the outfit mentioned. The sunglasses add to the affect, making it look even more like summer time.

The two above images are very good examples of showing the dress off. The model is the centre of attention and to make this even more apparent, I chose not to include any props into this image. My model looks very happy  and very relaxed in both images. Whilst I like the second pose because it looks very natural and my model looks very happy, the first one is more likely to be used in my final product as it looks more professional and the dress itself looks better in this pose. However, I could use either, depending on the theme of images I choose to use. I could choose to have more natural imagery, although I will probably use the chosen poses as a priority.

This is an image I really wanted to capture, of my model throwing her hat up into the air. This portrays excitement and freedom. You see this type of thing in final graduation celebrations, for example. Although the hat is a bit out of focus, this could still potentially be used in my final product, either as it is, making the imagery more realistic to my readers or I may super impose a focused hat into the image on Photoshop.

Again, this image seems to be tiered again in height and because I took the photo from a step ladder, looking down on the girls, it looked very affective. The models, especially Beth, are looking directly at the camera, giving them an attitude. Each has a flower pattern on, but they do not clash. This is a good combination of different styles, including the sunglasses and hat. I really like this photo, although Ashleigh seems dark, as she is sat back, in the shadow of the other models. This is something I could fix on Photoshop.

I particularly like this image as it looks very natural and relaxed. Having my models looking relaxed and happy portrays the right message to my target audience and makes my model look desireable in the sense that my audience will want to be her or like her. She looks very stylish and comfortable in her clothes which will encourage my audience to read on and discover how to get the look.

Obviously, no summer themed photoshoot would be missing swimwear. My model does not look out of place and her poses are confident, looking directly at the camera for added effect. The bikini she is wearing is a nice pattern and colour and general style and is likely to be popular with my target audience. My model also has a good figure which can be something my readers wish to achieve. 

This image again reflects my target audience as a fun-loving, happy and stylish group of young girls. This photo looks relaxed and casual and portrays happiness and friendship. My target audience will be able to relate to this image and compare themselves and their friends to my models, based on age, style and the type of pose we have above. It is likely I use this image in my final product.