Peer Assessment

As part of my class work we were all asked to peer assess each others work. We all moved round clockwise and wrote two things we thought that they had done well (on their blog) and something that they would improve on. 

After we had assessed everyones work we were allowed to look at what each person had said (see image above). Overall I received pretty positive feedback. Reoccurring things that I had noticed had been said was that my design was well presented and matched the genre of my magazine (fashion) very well. It was also stated that I had done a lot of research into my genre.

Somethings that I needed to improve on were posting regularly and keeping my blog up to date. And finally I was told to include more technology in my blog i.e use prezis to present my work etc. 

Time Management

I have decided to upload a post showing me doing my work. I have been very up to date with my blog, I have been adding new blog posts weekly. As you can see I was looking through my images which I took for the 'Practice Images' post.

Practice Images

To help ensure that I take the best possible pictures I can for my magazine, I decided to take some practice images with a couple of my peers. As you can see I took a fair amount of pictures because I wanted to practice for my cover page, contents and double page spread. The first image on the left is a great example of what I would use on my double page spread, its a very natural photo and the lighting is perfect.

I would possibly use this image on the contents page, it would could help promote the online website I will have created as part of task also. Again the model is very natural, doing something that she would do on a day to day basis, however artificial lighting is used on this image.

I would also use this image on my contents page, the target audience will clearly understand what the magazine will contain and what kind of genre it is, if they haven't already guessed from the front cover.

If I were to use this in my actual work it would have to placed in the contents page because it is showing what a certain page will contain.

Not only did I want to take good practice pictures I also wanted to include how not to take a picture. I think this is a great example, firstly not only is the model not looking at the camera because she is distracted by her phone but it is also very blurry. This in my opinion is a very very bad image and I definitely will not be taking my images like this.

This is also an example of a bad photo. The lighting is so bad on here, you can't see the models expression let alone her face. Also it has been taken from a bad angle, you can only, just, see her face.

This would be placed on my contents page, as it quite clearly shows what these models are wearing, it very much shows that it is a fashion magazine.

This would fit perfectly on the front cover. It is a mid-shot of my model. You are able to clearly see her facial expression and most of what she is wearing and I think this will attract the target audience.

Criteria

As you can see I have included two criteria sheets. They give information about what should be included on your blog. We were asked as part of a task to mark our own blogs and give realistic feedback to ourselves. Where I have ticked certain parts that means that I believe I have achieved that specific thing. I awarded myself a grade D, mainly because I haven't quite finished my blog yet and still have things that I need to include, I also need to look at my feedback given in the comments from my lecturer. Therefore if I finish doing these things I could come out with a B. 

Fresh Magazine

As you can see I have used three different fonts for the task of choosing my magazine, I have named it 'Fresh'. The font for the first one I don't really like. It doesn't really connote fashion magazines. I think it would suit a music magazine more. As for the second font I actually do really like it and I think it looks extremely unique and stands out, this would definitely be more suited to a fashion magazine. It also in my opinion looks very modern and new. And finally the last font, I also really like this style and think it would work well on a fashion magazine however I don't think it would stand out and grab the target audiences attention. 

Overall I definitely prefer the second font and I have decided that I will be using this for my own product. It stands out and certainly does look fresh. When I do create my magazine I will be only using the colour black, probably. The black is noticeable however it won't take away from the sell lines.   

Marking Blogs/ Peer Assessment

Here are two images of the success criteria. As part of a task we had to get into partners and peer assess each others blogs. So each had a copy of the success criteria and would tick off anything in which we thought the other person had achieved. After thoroughly analyzing one and others work we both ended up awarding each other a grade C. I was overall very pleased with this, however I did get some feedback on things in which I could improve. I was told to include more ICT presentations within my blog, this would then help me achieve a higher grade. 

The Recce

I have decided that I will be taking my photographs of my model, for my magazine at Sunderland University. I have already chosen a model and will include a screenshot on my blog of model confirmation. Moving back onto hazards that could become a problem; there will more than likely be many wires around the studio which could cause problems for the model and myself, for example I could be taking the photo of my model and could quite easily trip over a loose wire and seriously injure myself. Another problem that we could face is the backdrop/ curtain. I know, having visited the studio previously myself, that there is a huge curtain in the studio, this could become dangerous because my model and I could may trip over this and again seriously injure ourselves. 

     To ensure that we overcome these problems I will, before the model comes in, look around the studio and check for any loose wire or cables lying around and try and tidy them up, I will also alert the model that she should look out and be aware that there are wires that she could trip over. I will also alert the model that there is a big backdrop and I will make sure that they are dressed sensibly, as in they won't be made to wear heels or any other type of footwear that could easily be caught up on the curtain. 

     The weather will not affect the outcome of the photos as I am taking them inside a studio, although if it were raining while the model and myself were on route to the studio then the models hair and makeup could be ruined. However I can overcome this by bringing equipment to dry the models hair and also bringing extra makeup, or even applying the makeup at the University, to make sure that everything stays in place. 

   

I    I have already planned how I want my model to be posing, what she will wear and what kind of background I want. I have decided that a plain background will be best. I am not sure yet though what color the background should be, but I will probably choose a plain white background. I have chosen to have a simple background as I don't want it to take away from the image or the sell lines etc.

Natural lighting will not be a problem of when I take my photos as I am taking pictures in a studio, there will be no reflections from flashes, as there will be a white backdrop, so I have no problems with lighting.

      I will need permission before I go to the university to obviously take pictures. I will email the technician who works there and book an appropriate time for him and also for us. I need to do this because we aren't necessarily a priority, the students who attend Sunderland University are..  

     There will be no problem with crowding/ people spoiling the images because I will have booked the room/ space to take the photographs, so I will not be affected by crowding and people being in the room.

      I have already asked my model, to model for me and she has ensured me that she will be able to come to the university in the up coming weeks in order for me to take photographs. As for props, I guess those will include clothing and makeup, I will bring those items, so my model won't have to worry about that.