Glog

Photoshop Introduction

This was my introduction to photoshop. I learnt how to layer each image so that it was the way I wanted it. I also learnt how to use the magic eraser tool, which help remove unwanted white background from my image of Florence.

Research of music scene

NME

This example of NME represents a milestone in music, 10 years of The Strokes, a HUGE indie band who have performed at reading, leeds and other huge summer festivals.
The black and white photo connotes a classic look which makes it feel nostalgic because they've been together for a long amount of time. It shows that they are a close knit band and hope to make music for a lot of years to come.
The colour pink is an ongoing theme throughout the cover, which stands out against the image. The pink is a contradiction to the type of band The Strokes are as they are an indie band, and not a pop band associated with the colour pink.
The badge to the left shows '10 years' showing this is a huge thing and they are maybe surprised they have come this far. It also shows the bands logo in the 0 of the 10 which shows the commitment of the band.

Representation of artists from my music scene

 30 Seconds to Mars


This image suggests that lead singer Jared Leto is of significant importance as he is central in the image. He is standing sideways and looking directly at the audience, maybe to entice them to listen to the bands music, but also making fans believe he is making the music for them.
The other two band members seem to be standing slightly behind him, possibly showing that he is the main feature of the band, although he couldn't do it without them.
Shannon Leto is behind his brother, like he looks up to him, but Tomo Miličević is standing behind them, suggesting that he is of least significance, but is still important to the band. 
The setting is some tall buildings, which suggests they are on a roof, showing their power and role in music, like they are very famous and well known. It could be somewhere such as New York which suggests power and wealth.
All three are looking directly at the audience, making you believe they are speaking to you and only you. 
The body language is very casual and relaxed with hands in pockets, connoting that none of this is new to them. It may also mean that they are bored of having there photos taken and just want to make music.
All band members are dressed in black, suggesting their power but could also mean that they take their role in rock and indie music very seriously, and it also stands out against the background, making them the key features in the image. The background is also blurred suggesting nothing else in the image is of any importance, with the camera focusing on them as a band, and as individuals.  The camera is also lighting up the band, making them look almost God-like to their fans who worship them, and also full of power because of their stance and determination. 
The photograph is also just of them as a band, as there isn't anything fancy going on, just them.

Florence and the Machine


This image of Florence Welch is both captivating and engaging. She is looking directly at the camera maybe showing her adoration for her fans, but also her role in the music industry. She has gold sequins on her hands, suggesting importance but also connoting money and wealth, and that maybe she is 'rolling in it' as the sequins are all over her hands. The gold jacket and eyeshadow also bring out these elements by showing her status and most
likely her success in the industry. These elements also show fashion and the running of the theme maybe shows her dedication to fashion or music.
Her hair is a shade of red, following the theme of decadence and elegance. The shade of her lips are also red, standing out and her expression is shocked, maybe meaning that she has never imagined the success she has received and is maybe overwhelmed. The position her hands are in could suggest innocence, like a child who is scared or that she maybe needs to take a step back and relax.
The background in plain, showing that Florence is the subject and there is nothing to distract us from her or the message.

Photography

We have just started focusing on the photography aspect of the course, therefore focusing on key techniques such as long shots, medium shots, juxtaposition, rule of thirds and framing.


This shot uses the rule of thirds, with the subject, the bush and the side of the building. It is a long shot and uses framing.
It shows the college in a positive way by showing some of the historical building, but is juxtaposed as it is an old building with a new student.

This is also a long shot, using the Prior Pursglove sign as framing. It shows some of the outside garden part of the college, possibly enticing people to go to college there and also showing the nice campus.















This image is a medium long shot, showing the campus and some of the nature aspects, but shows a student having fun on campus and enjoying themselves.

 This image shows juxtaposition between the new glass and the old building.

Genre class survey

Only around 2/20 people in the class said they read music magazines on a regular basis and 8/20 occasionally read them because everything is going online, with music and magazines combining and illegal music being downloaded. Music magazines such as NME and Kerrang! are widely read, but only cater to specific genres of music such as indie and rock. Pop magazines such as Smash Hits closed down to become just a website because of online ratings.

Strong music genres these days are pop, which has taken over the charts and indie, which is rising in popularity and is stereotyped to social groups but it is in decline, as people enjoy their individuality. Social groups are stereotyped by the clothes they wear, the music they listen too, their attitude and behaviour (rock and heavy metal are associated with aggressive behaviour), interests and personality which is affected by society.

Some core genres such as jazz, blues, reggae, rap, punk and indie have split into smaller sub genres creating different types of music, such as electro punk, grunge, rnb, death metal and hip hop, which become increasingly popular.

Niche markets are for specific audiences and 'electro' has recently been revived, leading to a possible magazine if the fans became a big enough audience. Other niche markets are developed from core genres, such as christian rock for a specific audience.

Two Door Cinema Club - Indie genre

Beyonce - Pop/RnB genre

The FIRST blog post for my music magazine coursework project. Over the course of this blog, I will show you how I have been building up ideas for my music magazine.

I listen to artists such as 30 seconds to mars, the strokes, my chemical romance and  two door cinema club as well as people from other genres such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Chris Brown etc...

The most natural choice of magazine for me to study is NME as I am interested in music from that genre as well as others. This magazine is for fans of the 'indie' music genre and include lots of information on new music and artists from that genre.

The best-selling magazine is What's on TV which has around 3,289,000 readers whereas the best-selling music magazine is Kerrang! which has 373,000 readers. The magazine I am studying, NME, has around 266,000 readers.
NME Website
Kerrang! 
Spotify