5. Production Process

 These are the two camera's that I used for my pictures. The Lumix G10 has alot higher megapixels, but the Panasonic Lumix is still a good camera which allowed me to take some very clear images that were easy to work with and look highly professional.









The Photoshop software allowed me to develop my editing skills massively. With the latest version of Photoshop, you can crop, re-colour, and re-shape all different images and texts to a style that suits you as the desginer. It is also a professional package used my the massive multi media companies, and so gaining experience in the use of it was very useful to this project especially.

Mise en scene wise, the costume of the bright jumper stands out and catches the eye due toit being so bold. Also, props wise, the baseball cap derives obvious connotations of the hip-hop scene. That is also recognisable by the 'Obey' tag on the cap. This high angle shot was used to look slightly down on the subject, this allows the obey to stand out, and sit at eye level in the picture. Also, the lighting is relatively dark, which creates the idea of rebellion, and fits the hip hop genre of music closely.

The costume here employs the use of an 'MTV' t-shirt. This is used because MTV is a well known music channel which would be typically watched by fans of new, fresh music. This wouild be recognised by my target audience and help my product to appeal to them. Also, the low angle shot makes the subject look bigger, which derives connotations of power and status, something rappers tend to brag about in their music.

In this picture however, the denim shorts with the USA's national flag are effective in appealing to my target audience because typically, rappers are American, and that is where the art form originated. Also, they follow the idea of bright colours, and connote the idea of freedom and the rebellion expected of the youth. Again, the prop of a hat is used because it is an indexical reference of the hip hop genre.

The costume in this picture is typical of the hip hop genre. Also, the strong stance and pose of the subjects suggests unity, and the hard boiled, stern image that many rappers try to convey in their music. This is set in an old school corridor, which gives it a dirty, more grungey look. This connotes the idea of rebellion, and conveys the argument that the subjects in this picture don't care for their surroundings, something expected in the hip hop genre too. Also, in regard to camera techniques, a long shot was used as it contrasts from the other shots used in my magazine, and creates the daunting ideology that the subjects are glaring down the corridor at the reader.

This image follows the same kind of genre conventions expected. The colourful top, although displaying a rock band, has a black background, and very boldly coloured graphis design imprinted on it. Also, rock and rap have been tightly knitted genre's in the past, with link ups such as Jay-z and Linkin Park being highlights.

I think the magazine contents page went very well. I did alot of research into contents pages, and modelled this design in a way that mirrors other hip hop contents pages in order to enure it looked exceptionally professional. The large image was edited to make the colour pallet stand out even more, and the lead article will instantly catch the eye of a reader as it is the focus of the whole page and is given so much spcae on the page. Also, I featured a small copy of the front cover in the top right hand corner as I found that was popular in well known rap magazines. Also, the use of graffiti spray paint blodges, which i devised myself with the use of Photoshop, creates the connotations of anarchy and rebellion of the youth. This would be effective in making my product appeal to my target audience. The simple red and black colour pallet makes this particular contents page easy to understand, and gives a basic list of what features in the magazine, without being too confusing. It is also successful in looking striking through the basic, bold fonts in capitals.

 My article continues to follow the red and black colour pallet as I believe it is effective, and it gives a strong feel of continuity which allows the article to follow on from the contents page with the same kinf of design. The layout is basic, and the bold heading 'Time To Shine' would address a reader quickly, and let them know what article they would be reading. Also, lifted quotes from article's were popular, and are effective in giving a quick insight into what the subject/artist in this case are saying without reading the entire article. I have coloured the lifted quotes in red to seperate them from the rest of the article. Also, the pictures in the bottom left corner are set at a canted angle, and tend to connote the idea of youth and rebellion. Also, I think the Question and Answer section of the article is effective in giving an insight into the subject's life, whilst entertaining and addressing a reader. The red and black colour pallet is again used here to seperate the questions from the answers and to allow the article to stand out. Also, research into hip hop magazines showed me that 'Q&A' articles feature regularly in popular magazines. Furthermore, I used slang language to address my audience. This would appeal to them as it is commonly used amongst them and they tend to pick colloquial language up from the celebrities who's music they enjoy.

This is the final design decided upon for my front cover. The central image uses direct address which gives the impression that the subject of the photo is glaring out at you, which will effectively catch the eye of a reader. Also, The masthead which reads 'JAM', also colour palleted in red and black, not only derives hip hop connotations because of the graiffiti typeset I have employed within, but the word 'Jam' I thought effective because it is a short, snappy lexical choice which connotes the idea of 'jamming' with your friends and enjoying music together. I found that using yellow would also make the magazine cover eye catching and therefore advertise the main article effectively. I also found that little featured atricles, for example in my cover the 'Plus!' box was commonly used amongst hip hop magazines and the use of this would add more colour to my front cover.