Photographic techniques

Photographic techniques

Photographic techniques

Ideas and techniques which are essential when taking photographs-

Shot distance

-Use of tilt

-Shot composition

-Eye line

-Tone

-Line

-Colour, including vivid, primary and monochromatic colour.

-Texture, and hints on creating texture.

-Patters and hints on capturing patterns.

Shot distance types

Extreme Long Shot (very distant)/Long shot full body) – Good for showing the insignificance of characters as powerless within an overpowering environment. Also good for establishing location.

Medium Long Shot (knees up)/ Medium shot (waist up)- Good for showing movement or for a balanced tracking of characters and their environment.

Medium close up (head and shoulders)/ Close up (head)- Good for portraiture or for moving image interviews.

Big close up (small part of forehead and chin cut out)/ Extreme close up (features)- Good for showing the significance of character or for showing characters as powerful. Also highly useful drawing attention to character emotions.

Tilt shots

Tilt up shot (low angle)- Used to make them look powerful and dominant.

Tilt down (high angle)- Used to convey vulnerability or weakness of a person in shot and to demonstrate dominance of point of view.

Tone

Control of tones, including variations of light and dark, emphasizing important parts of the image, and colour, generally set the mood of your photograph.

Tone control can be used to emphasize the shapes of the most important elements in your image.

Photographic/moving image and techniques

Composition

You need to think very carefully about how you compose a photograph.

Many photographers place their subject in the middle of the photograph, which can often result in a dull image.

Use of off centre composition can create a focal point.

Foreground/Background

When designing a shot remember to keep in mind both of the action in the foreground and the background.

Framing

Keep the RULE OF THIRDS in mind when designing your shot. The viewer’s eye is drawn to the crossections of a frame, this is where your action should be taking place.

Lines

Lines are useful for emphasizing and leading the viewer towards a main area or subject.

The may also divide up the picture space into segments, which may vary in size and shape. The shape of lines and their general pattern can strongly influence the mood of the photograph.

Using colour

Taking control of the way in which colour is used in your photos is a key way of improving your images.

Keep you eyes open for vibrant coloured objects, but also look for delicate coloured subjects and ones with muted tones.

Colour spells-Bright, bold colours are used on magazine covers, so choose or plan the shots that you will take when producing your magazine cover.

Monochromatic colours

It can also work well to use just one or two colours in a picture, such shots sometime shave an intensity and sense of harmony.

Textures

Most of the time we are taking photographs we think about the subject, but there is another way of approaching picture-taking, which involves thinking beyond the subject and looking at it in terms of textures and patterns.

Photography is especially effective and conveying the impression of texture. This is a quality which can be extremely powerful close up.

Direction, height and the quality of lighting make a big difference to the appearance of textures.

Patterns

Harsh light and shadow can reveal the shape of something so well that it is unnecessary to actually show the subject itself.

Patterns are frequently caused by the effect of shadows.

Patterns are also created when a distinctive shape is repeated within the image and it can have a powerful impact when used as part of a composition.

People

 

Photographs of people and children are the most common  form of photography.

One of the key things to consider is whether you want the person to pose for the camera shot, or whether a 'candid' photograph would be better so that your subjects are unaware of you and your camera.




The above research that I have learnt will help me a lot towards producing my own product as I am now more aware hoe images on my magazine should look and how to make shots seem more professional/realistic. 

Companies

Emap

Emap is a British media company, specialising in the production of business to business magazines, and the organisation of business events and conferences.Emap was founded in 1947 and has 20 magazines in its business-to-business portfolio including:

Architects Journal Architectural Review Broadcast Construction News Drapers Health Service Journal Local Government Chronicle Materials Recycling Week Nursing Times Retail Week Recycling & Waste Management   Screen International Previous magazines EMAP has published many magazines in its history andn the was in partivular a ove away from the computing genre during the mid 1990's. Business Matters Computer and Video Games Commodore User Eye magazine Internet Magazine Mean Machines Nintendo Official Magazine PC Leisure PC Review Sega Saturn Magazine Sinclaire user Smash Hits SPORT St Review The One The Face After researching Emap I have considered the previous magazines published by the company and noticed that my magazine genre is completely different therefore wouldn't consider Emap for the publisher of my magazine. Condé Nast Condé Nast is a magazine publishing company based In the U.S. The company  produces 18 consumer magazines including  Architectural Digest, Bon Appétit GQ The New Yorker                 Vanity Fair Vogue Also, the company has four business-to-business publications, 27 websites, and more than 50 apps for mobile and tablet devices.The company, headquartered in New York City, was founded in 1909 by Condé Montrose Nast and has been owned by the Newhouse family since 1959.Condé Nast is largely considered to be the originator of the “lifestyle magazines,” a type of magazines focused on a particular class or interest instead of targeting the largest possible readership. Its magazines focus on a wide range of subjects, including travel, food, home, culture, and other interests, with fashion the larger portion of the company's focus. Condé Nast publishes Teen Vogue magazine which began as a version of Vogue magazine for teenage girls. This U.S. magazine focuses on fashion and celebrities and offers information about the latest entertainment and feature stories on current issues and events. As my magazine choice is also teen girls i think this company relates a lot to my magazine and  the company could work successfully in my magazine. Natmags Nat Mags (National Magazine Company) was a British magazine publisher based in London. It was established in 1910 by William Randolph Hearst and was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hearst Corporation. Nat Mag published 19 magazines in total in the United Kingdom. They were: Best Coast Company Cosmopolitan Cosmopolitan Bride Country Living Esquire Good Housekeeping Harper's Bazaar House Beautiful Men’s Health (UK only) Prima Prima Baby Real People Reveal Runner's World (UK only) She You & Your Wedding Zest magazine IPC Media IPC Media is a leading UK consumer magazine publisher. IPC Media groups its current titles under three magazine divisions each focusing on a core audience. Connect Targeting the mass market for women. Teen Now Woman Woman's Own goodtoknow Recipes Woman's Weekly Pick Me Up! Chat Chat - It's Fate Chat Passion Now What's On TV Soaplife TV & Satellite Week TV easy TVTimes Southbank Targeting upmarket women. Marie Claire InStyle Look Woman & Home Feel Good Food Feel Good Home Essentials Ideal Home Homes & Gardens Livingetc Country Homes & Interiors 25 Beautiful Homes Beautiful Kitchens Style at Home Wallpaper Inspire Targeting the market for men. Country Life The Field Shooting Times Shooting Gazette Sporting Gun Horse & Hound HORSE Eventing International Boat Industry (IBI) Practical Boat Owner Yachting Monthly Yachting World SuperYacht Business Motor Boat & Yachting Motor Boats Monthly Rugby World World Soccer Golf Monthly Nuts New Musical Express (NME) Uncut Cycling Weekly Cycling Active Cycling Sport Mountain Bike Rider Decanter Amateur Photographer What Digital Camera Amateur Gardening Angler's Mail Future Publishing Future plc is a media company; in 2006, it was the sixth-largest in the United Kingdom. It publishes more than 150 magazines in fields such as video games, technology, automotive, cycling, films and photography.[1] Future is the official magazine company of all three major games console manufacturers. Examples of current UK magazines: Computer music, Edge, Fast Car, ImagineFX, GamesMaster, Guitarist, MacFormat, PC Gamer, T3, Rhythm, Procycling, Your Family Tree. Examples of current US magazines: Maximum PC, Official Xbox Magazine, MaclLife, PC Gamer, Windows: The Official Magazine. Current Websites: cyclingnes.com, GamesRader, Gizmodo, MusicRader, TechRader. Bauer Media Bauer Media Group is a multinational media company headquartered in Hamburg, Germany which operates in 16 countries worldwide. Since the company was founded in 1875, it has been privately owned and under management by the Bauer family. Bauer Verlagsgruppe has offices located all over the world, they are located in the following countries: Germany USA Spain France Austria Poland Portugal Romania Hungary Czech Republic Mexico China Russia Slovakia United Kingdom Nigeria Australia Bauer Media Brands Q started out as a music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom. Originally it was to be called Cue (named after the act of cueing a record to play), but the name was changed so that it wouldn't be mistaken for a snooker magazine. Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth felt the music press of the time ignored a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology — from artists such as Paul Simon, Level 42, and Dire Straits. Modeled after Rolling Stone, Q was first published in 1986, setting itself apart from much of the other music press with monthly production and higher standards of photography and printing, with an emphasis on style.The Q music brand has expanded to Radio and Television, with Q Radio and Q TV being music entertainment that specialises in indie, rock and alternative. Q also holds annual music awards in the UK, known as Q Awards. Since they began in 1990, the Q Awards have become one of Britain's biggest and best publicized music awards, helped in no small part by the often boisterous behaviour of the celebrities who attend the event.In spring 2010, Bauer caused controversy with its attempt to unilaterally impose a new contract on all photographers and writers, which takes away their copyright and off-loads liability for libel or copyright infringement from the publisher onto the contributor. 200 photographers and writers from Q and Bauer's other music magazines, Kerrang! and MOJO were reported as refusing to work under the new terms. Kerrang! is a brand that specialises in Rock Music.It originally began as a magazine and in 2004 Kerrang Radio was launched. A Kerrang TV channel also exists and as of 2005, all of its programme content is music videos, the majority of which is open scheduled, for text requests from their playlist.

Style Ideas

As my magazine is targeted at a certain audience group, i have researched styles that would appeal to young teenagers. In this i have considered clothes, makeup, hairstyles and other small details that would be included in my photo shoot.

Firstly, I would like my model to be wearing a white dress as i believe it shows a sense of innocence in the model, which should be shown to a young audience rather than for example using the colours black and red which could present sex appeal. Also i will make sure the dress isn't low cut because that would  be inappropriate for young teenagers therefore the dress will be almost neck high. I also think that a white dress would compliment the models makeup as the makeup will be more bold and colourful making it stand out more.

I have then chosen to style the model with curly hair. I believe this will make the model look fun and full of life for a vibrant pop magazine.

For makeup i have decided to use a more colourful option of pink so that it contrasts well against white.

Eyeshadow- The colour will be mostly pink although with a small amount of purple blended in to ad more definitions and layers.

Eyelashes- Fake eyelashes will be used although they will be natural looking so that it doesn't take the detail away from the eyeshadow.

Eyeliner- Black eyeliner will be used to define and shape the eye and add more style to the look.

Lips- The colour will be bright pink as a lot of attention will be on them as the poses my model will be doing include 'pouting' and blowing dust using the mouth. This then also matches with the eye makeup and blends them together.

Skin- Natural looking foundation will be used as young teenagers wont be wearing a lot of makeup at their age although will make the skin look smooth and even. Pink/bronzed powder will then be used to define the cheeks and sculpture the face more.

Recce

There aren’t many hazards that could pose a health and safety risk where my photo shoot will take place as they will be taken in my house. There will although be wires around my room which someone could potentially trip over, although it will be made sure that the room is kept tidy and all wires will be kept as out the way as possible. I will also make sure that my model is aware of the wires so she can watch out for them, making a hazard less likely to occur. There may also be various objects on the floor which will have to be cleared or moved to provide more space for my model so that she doesn’t trip over anything or hurt herself due to lack of space. To ensure all risks are minimised I will clear the room before my model arrives giving plenty of space for her to get ready for the shoot and leaving the floor space clear. Once we have completed her makeup and used hair appliances I will then make sure everything is placed completely out of the way so there is no chance of her tripping over etc.

It is unlikely that the time of day/weather will affect the outcome of my photos as the shoot is taking place inside therefore weather wouldn’t be a problem. It would be best for the shoot to take place during the afternoon when there is less light shining through into the photo, although light could be blocked out and the shoot could still work either way.

I have considered the background to my photos and have found a suitable    place for the photo shoot to be held. As my magazine genre is pop and is aimed at teenage girls, I have chosen to use a pink coloured background to appeal to the audience. I have a large pink wall in my room with plenty of space around it which perfectly suits my magazine design.

I have considered lighting as the shoot will be taking place in my room where a lot of windows are causing bright lights to shine through. I have decided It would be best to do my shoot as it starts to get a bit darker so that the flash on my camera can be used to provide the right amount of light needed.

As the shoot is taking place in my house, I do not need permission for the photos to be taken. I have although asked and made sure that my parents are comfortable for the photos to be taken in my house and arranged a date where they are both out of the house so there are no distractions. I will arrange a certain time for my model to come for the shoot so that it is the best environment for the photos to be taken in.

I have already planned props to be used in the shoot and have made sure that everything will be available to use on the day. As the shoot is taking place in my house, it wont be a struggle to bring any props as I already have everything needed here. Also, my model has previously informed me that she will be able to get a lift to mine so there will be no problems for her getting to the shoot, although if any circumstances occur, my parents have agreed they would pick her up to bring her to our house. I have also informed my model that I have all the equipment needed and can provide her with any makeup and hair appliances but also that if she would prefer to use her own that is completely fine.