Editing a photo of my model on Photoshop

Editing a photo of my model on Photoshop which will be used on my front cover

This is a screengrab video I created through a program called Camstasia Studio which captures anything I do on my computer. It basically shows everything I do to edit a photo of my model which I am going to use for my front cover, so this is anything from fixing blemishes on her skin to give it a smooth, clear airbrushed look which will be more appealing to my target audience to adjusting contrast and colour to make it brighter and stand out to the audience. I have created this video to allow the audience to view how I edited my model step-by-step.

Audience feedback/magazine analysis

This is a video of me and my peer Siobhan analysing eachother's magazines, stating the things we like about them. We discussed the strengths and improvements we could make on everything about eachother's magazines from the front cover to the double page spread. The feedback Siobhan gave me really helped me because it gave me further confidence on my magazine but also allowed me to realise some things I needed to change about my magazine to make it look more professional and up to its full potential. The audience feedback was created with Siobhan as she is part of my target audience, so I thought it would be appropriate to use someone within this age. I definitely felt I handed my final piece in at a higher standard thanks to some of the beneficial feedback I'd recieved from this audience feedback, so overall I felt it really helped.

Tutorial of me using Photoshop to edit a photo of my model for my R&B magazine.

Tutorial of me using Photoshop to edit a photo of my model for my R&B magazine. 

This is a video showing me using Photoshop to edit a photo of my model for my R&B music magazine. I go through the editing of my model's skin such as fixing any blemishes/spots, aswell as blurring out the skin slightly to give it a more smooth and clear effect, plus making facial features such as the eyes and lips brighter and bolder with more contrast, aswell as adjusting the picture making the contrast and brightness higher, aswell as the colour. At the end of the video I present a before and after photo just to represent the differences within the picture after editing it.
I used 'CamStudio' to record me editing the photo, and then put this into a program named 'Windows Movie Maker' to start cutting up the clip, removing any unimportant parts and making sure some parts of the clip are fastened up (the 'fixing blemishes' part) as it is too long. Then, I watched through the whole clip and recorded myself doing a voice-over for this at the same time on my phone, uploaded this to my computer and added the audio clip onto my movie. After making sure the movie was complete and ready, I published it onto YouTube.

Audience feedback for my magazine by Rag'e

This is a video of my peer Rag'e giving me feedback on my magazine. This included the strengths and the improvements I needed to make. The feedback he gave me really helped me because it made me realise the good things about my magazine but also the features I should improve on to make sure that it is the best it can be and up to full professional potential.

Sketches/drafts of my magazine

Sketches/drafts of my magazine

Front Cover

I will make sure the house colours are purple, black and white.

Contents page

Double page spread

The sketches in which I have designed here are my initial ideas of how I wanted my magazine to look; - layout, text, etc.. I was inspired by some other magazines I'd already seen such as Vibe magazine and more, so I used some ideas from these. I wasn't sure if I was definitely going to use all of these ideas I'd put down on paper, but I really benefitted from it because it meant that I had an idea of where abouts I was going with my magazine and how it would look, saving time in the process.

R&B Magazine FIRST DRAFT

Magazine Eee PDF

This is my magazine first draft. Here, we have my front cover, 2 pages to my contents page and 4 pages to my double page spread. The magazine name I picked was 'the game' representing the competition between artists that they call the game. Ideally this gives my magazine a fiery feel to it as the audience will feel as if it will consist varying amounts of contrasting artists competing with eachother. I used the house colours of purple, black and white; - simple, classy and very R&B. As we can see, on my front cover I have used many sell lines to attract the audience and have made sure that they are bold with drop shadows in order to stand out. Furthermore, it has features to further attract the audience such as a mention of a prize at stake "WIN! Free signed Ciara CD" so that they are aware that they will get a reward back for their money's worth. On the contents page I have used a sort of triangular purple shape with a low transparency to add a 'funky' and quirky feel to the page. It will be intriguing for the audience to view a magazine with a few features to it that are different to the usual. For the listing of the contents' headings such as "on the cover" and "exclusives" I have used a 'fancy' script font that looks quite formal and pretty. I think this adds a classy edge to the magazine. I have used many pictures too, and at the bottom of the page I have put a picture of an iPhone with my front cover on it and text next to it stating that the reader can download an app for the magazine, and next to this is the 'Twitter' logo allowing the reader to follow us on the social networking site. This allows my young audience involve themselves with my magazine online too which is what many teenagers nowadays like to do; - go on social networking sites. As you can see at the bottom of each page I have put the month and year "December 2012" and the page number in bold next to it, so that the audience can easily navigate through my magazine. On the double page spread I have used a white quote from the article to instantly capture the reader's attention, and then "CASSIE STARR" in capitals. The text runs throughout the page, laid-out organised and easy to navigate through. Then, I have put a black and white 3x3 grid of close ups of my model doing different facial expressions. I figured that the black and white colour adds a classy look to the page but yet the juxtaposition between my model's contrasting facial expressions creates a quirky look to it that the reader may instantly be drawn to. At the bottom of the page, I have also added some slanted pictures of my model supposedly "at her last photoshoot" and her "excstatic at her fans' reaction to her new album release". This adds a realistic feature to my magazine as it is almost giving evidence for the things "Cassie" has done and events that have happened such as these. On the second two pages of my double page spread I have used a long shot of my model inbetween the text and also a mid shot just to seperate the text and keep the reader interested in what is being said and the pictures being shown.

Article Draft

We were lucky enough to chat to R&B icon Cassie Starr about her latest album ‘Prelude Lust’, her upcoming tour and her possible future on the big screen. I entered the deeply lit studio; it looked very clean – everything was folded and the flowers looked fresh. Two red velvet sofas faced eachother, a small glass coffee table inbetween them. There are a few pieces of paper and two glasses of water sat neatly on the table top, plus a large flat-screen TV up on the cream wall. The audience wait patiently, as do I, and must I add, the silence in the air is quite symbolic for the excitement and anticipation that lingers for Cassie’s arrival.

Suddenly, we hear foot-steps. We perk up. Cassie strides in confidently without encouragement, her long wavy brunette hair bouncing past her shoulders as her heels trot towards me. She is grinning brightly, her teeth gleaming. The atmosphere within the audience is ecstatic. Everybody stands and there are cheers, shouts, screams and a tremendous amount of clapping being done and it echoes throughout the room. I greet Cassie as she sits down and I am suddenly struck by the ‘breath-taking beauty’she is claimed to hold that everybody has been talking about. She is wearing a long, red Maxi-dress that hangs elegantly off her body, with small glistening jewels lined at the top. Oh my, she looks so classy. It’s refreshing to meet a star that doesn’t look worn-down from partying all night every night. No, not Cassie. Cassie looks bright and young; Full of real potential. Her eyes sparkle as she scoops her dark hair off her shoulders and blissfully scans the audience, quite obviously taking in the heavenly atmosphere. She almost looks lost in the fame. Then she looks back at me.

Interviewer: So Cassie, I bet it’s been a crazy year for you, right?

Cassie: Yeah, it really has! [laughs]

Interviewer: I mean, can you begin to explain what you’ve been experiencing in your new life?

Cassie: Every morning I wake up and still get the urge to pinch myself because my life just seems so surreal.. I’m so thankful for my incredible supportive fans helping me to get this far, I really am. I love them all so much!

Interviewer: And judging by the success of ‘Prelude Lust’, I think it’s fair to say they love you too! I mean, look at the atmosphere of this place today. It really is something, isn’t it.

Cassie: I know, I can’t believe it! I’ve had so much fun creating the album and trying to create a new sound, but I’m always apprehensive as to whether the fans will like it or not. It’s all about pleasing them; - that’s all I wanna’ do!

Interviewer: Well you only have to listen to your album to know you have nothing to worry about!

Cassie: [laughs] Thankyou. I still can’t believe it though! When my management rung me to tell me the reaction, I literally couldn’t believe it but it’s just great to know I’ve gained some new fans since releasing the album. This is just the beginning.

Interview: I bet it is! So, I was going to start by asking, what would you say is the message of ‘Prelude Lust’?

Cassie: Well, I sort of linked the two words together because there’s a story behind it. I’m really happy in my current relationship and I really feel as if the small relationship I was in months beforehand really led to this one right now. I mean I don’t like to go into detail of my personal life too much but basically I like to call that previous relationship a ‘prelude lust’ because it was just lust and the ‘prelude’ for my relationship right now. So I’m thankful for it. [laughs]

Interviewer: That’s interesting! It’s always nice to know there’s a reason behind an album title, it gives it more of a personal meaning doesn’t it.. So, how are you handling life at the moment with all your success? I bet it’s hectic!

Cassie: I’ve just been taking everything in my stride and remaining humble about it all but honestly you have no idea how much I appreciate all the support from my fans because, without them, I literally would not be here doing what I love to do. It’s hectic but it’s so, so brilliant.

Interviewer: And they must love what you do! The reaction we’ve had from the audience is just incredible. I mean, the positive reactions are the main thing but I bet with all this success you get a few negative reactions too. I saw something in the newspaper about Brandy criticizing your music recently, is this true?

Cassie: Yeah, that is true. I hadn’t heard about this either until I saw it on the newspaper, too. She had written a Tweet about me on ‘Twitter’ basically saying that I was ‘just another unoriginal copy of other R&B artists’ and that I ‘wouldn’t make it very far’.

Interviewer: Woah, I mean I bet that was surprising really wasn’t it. What was your reaction?

Cassie: I mean yeah, it was surprising. But I suppose it would be more hurtful if I’d met her before and we were friends.. but I don’t really know her. When I found out I was quite hurt really; - It’s not nice hearing somebody higher in the music industry than you talk about you badly. It’s a shame aswell ‘cause I really like her music but I guess you can never be everybody’s cup of tea.

Interviewer: Yeah, I think in this industry you have to just take in criticisms as they come whether it’s because they’re jealous or not. It’s bound to happen! But any how you’re still going to be touring so it’s no skin off your shoulder, right?

Cassie: Definitely, I’m so looking forward to touring. It’s gonna’ be amazing!

Interviewer: I bet it will! I’m sure you couldn’t of wished for a better reaction from your fans too.. I mean, your entire tour sold out in just 8 minutes; - that’s crazy!

Cassie: My fans are just incredible and they really never fail to surprise me.. My music is made for them and I love touring because I get the chance to actually meet the people who helped me get to where I am. I’ve never been happier!

Interviewer: So what can your fans expect from the tour?

Csssie: They can expect something… different! I have a crazy, fun set lined up and I really can’t wait to just get on stage! I want this tour to stand out and show my fans that I’m really doing this for them. The atmosphere of it will just be incredible and it never gets old.

Interviewer: That sounds absolutely brilliant, Cassie. What are you looking forward to most then?

Cassie: Well it’s safe to say that the early mornings can do one! [laughs] But once rehearsals are out of the way, I’m really looking forward to waiting backstage listening to the crowd cheering for me. I get so excited and full of energy when I experience the reaction of the fans when I start performing. It’s just so meaningful and priceless; - I always feel so sad when the tours are over! It’s like a fairytale dream or something.

Interviewer: Well not to worry this time because I’m pretty positive you’ll be experiencing that many times! A little birdie told me that there may be a future for you on the big screen. Is this something you’re considering?

Cassie: Well all I’m going to say is, never say never; - to anything. I’d be a fool to turn down an opportunity like that so yeah, it’s definitely something I’d consider. I’d love that. Nothing too cheesy or over-dramatic though. [laughs]

Interview: Well it’s for definite that I will look forward to that and so will the rest of the world! Lastly I’d like to ask, what is a word of advice or something inspiring that you could give to the audience and your fans right now?

Cassie: Always believe in yourself, and put in the hard work to get to where you want. If you do those two things, you will be on your way and nothing can stop you.

Interviewer: Such lovely words! It’s been a pleasure talking to you, Cassie. And we at The Game wish you the best of luck with the tour and your future!

Cassie: Aww, thank you for having me!

‘Prelude Lust’ is in stores now.

Draft Questionnairre

Draft Questionnairre

Draft Questionnaire by hannahalley

This is the draft of my questionairre I made with EDEXCEL. Planning out the questions I will use in my questionnaire has helped me a lot in preparation with my questionnaire because now I can ask for other people's opinions on this, etc..