Possible Photos for my Front Cover

1. 2.3.

4. 5.

             

Here are a few of the shots I have taken for the front cover of my sixth form magazine. I can easily eliminate a few because of obvious faults. Number 2 hasn't go a very appealing setting in the background, it includes roads and a skip. I like number 3 but the flash on the camera and lighting reflected on the glass trophy cabinet and the windy weather in number 5 is represented by the messy hair in number 5.

Flat Plan Sketch

Sixth Form Magazine Analysis

Focus Group Questions

1. What's your name?
2. How old are you?
3. What hobbies do you like to do outside of school?
4. What is you're favourite genre of music?
5. How often do you read magazines?
6. What type of magazines do you like to read?
7. What is the maximum you would spend on a magazine?

Image Analysis

The content analysis of this image suggests that it is a polysemic photograph, it is a sign which is capable of producing a number of different meanings. The picture represents the buzzing city of New York, the yellow taxi nearest to the camera is an iconic sign for this particular state, it is commonly related to the New York culture and has genuinely become an icon associated with the cities transport system. The taxi is the biggest code which connotes that the image is taken in New York. Whereas the image denotes a yellow car driving through a manic city. The tall buildings around the car with bright lights and screens are codes that represent Times Square, another iconic sign relating to the city, Times Square is definitely a symbol used in magazines, films and television to represent New York and show off its technologic advances, advertisements and tourist attractions. 

The picture could typically be found in a travel magazine or on the internet to attract tourists to the modern, popular city. Therefore it is most likely taken by a professional photographer to capture New York through iconic features, the photographer most likely went through the process of editing the image to make it vibrantly coloured and to make the taxi well focused on by use of the specific angle it is taken at. If a historian looked at this photograph in 2400 they would probably be overwhelmed by the technological advances in society, they might not even believe that the photo is real because cars and electricity would be unimaginable and unheard of in that period of time. 

This is a portrait image of the celebrity couple Beyonce Knowles and Jay Z. The photo has clearly been taken whilst they're on holiday due to the visual code of the blue sea, the yachts in the background and the seating area where they are sat denotes a restaurant therefore this could be a seaside resort. The huge, luxurious yachts deep into the ocean are an iconic sign of wealth, the couple are extremely rich therefore it could very well be theirs. Beyonce is perched on her partners lap, this is an indexical sign, it is direct evidence that the couple are still happily together and much in love. She is resting her head on her hand and looking out into the beautiful view which connotes that she is enjoying the atmosphere and taking in what is around her and completely oblivious to the camera. Whereas Jay Z is using the direct mode of address but I doubt he was posing, the photographer could just be a friend who wanted to capture a natural shot because paparazzi wouldn't have been able to join the couple on their relaxing holiday. Both of them are wearing sunglasses and summery garments (t-shirts and shorts), this codes for hot, sunny weather which relates to the indexical sign that they are vacating. In general the image connotes that the couple are very relaxed due to their casual body language and the glass of wine on the table, they're enjoying themselves in peace, therefore it isn't likely that a paparazzi captured this photograph and this is a true image. 

Image Analysis Notes

Image Analysis Notes

• Different audiences might decipher the same image in different ways.
• Understanding visual codes: Images transmit their meaning through signs (visual clues), also referred to as codes; 

- The code of expression: facial expressions

- The code of gesture: the way they hold their bodies (body language)

- The code of clothing: what we think of ourselves

- The code of objects and backgrounds

- The code of technique: the way the photograph is taken (angle, pose, colour, lens, focus, indoors/outdoors, narrative)

• Filmmakers like to use storyboards to plan films. A series of still pictures to organise the film into a story form.
• Denotation Visual Description Connotation Interpretation (a picture is worth a thousand words)
• Caption: words that go underneath a picture explaining what is happening in the shot
• Selection of news photos: Thousands of photographs are sent to editors of various newspapers and they have to narrow them all down to one which really captures the point of the news story, a photo which will catch the eye of readers.
• Cropping: whether to trim the photo down for effect. The position will influence how people look at it.
• Advertising images: the objective of advertising agencies is to present the audience with a dream world. Every product is constructed to perfection.

School Photography Shots

School Photography

The photograph to the left shows an exterior shot of part of a school, representing it in a positive way. The photo denotates a bright, colourful picture of a pathway, trees and a sector of the schools building. The image connotates a clean, respected area which is appreciated by passers by and students within the school.The photo could also represent a middle to upper class culture in society because the school looks well presented

in comparison to other negatively represented schools.

This is an image of chewing gum stuck to the bottom of a canteen table within a school, when this is decoded it could connotate lack of hygiene within the school and disrespect from the students. Therefore the photograph represents the school in a negative way.

This photograph is a close up of the symbol, the Christian cross. This code is originally recognised from the Christianity religion, the Bible and the Church, it is an iconic sign around all different cultures. However it could also be interpreted in a different way, recently the symbol can be seen as a fashion statement on clothes or as jewellery. Different cultures can relate the symbol to different meanings

The image on the left relates to the previous photograph because it anchors the meaning of the cross. The photo clearly shows a school student, Molly, holding the holy Bible which links to the cross symbol. The large Bible could be presented as negotiated reading because the Christian religion does not agree with other religions and it's beliefs within can be argued with different conspiracy theories. Molly is also using the direct mode of address to connect with the audience, looking into the camera is a method which can attract a viewers attention. 

This picture is a mid shot which interprets boredom. The setting can be represented as a library which is commonly seen as a very quiet, gloomy area. The body language of these two school students includes closed eyes and heads rested onto the palms of their hands, a classic expression that they are both bored and exhausted.

Contrasting with the previous photo, this image shows a brighter, cheerful mid shot. A connotation of two happy students working hard on their studies with a good attitude. You can recognise this from the smiley facial expression on the closest student and both their body language presents a writing motion with their hands to show they're working and their heads are looking down, proving that they are focused on the school work they have to get done.