CCR Question #4 Draft

Technology is obviously essential to the process of making a magazine. 

For my pictures, I used by iPhone X with 4K resolution. For me, it was the easiest device to use and transfer pictures from, so it made the most sense to use.

When I first started making the magazine, I used Microsoft Publisher to design my pages. This resulted in a janky looking first draft of a magazine (The poor first draft was really my fault, however.) with poorly placed words in the article.

By the time of the final draft, I switched my used to Adobe InDesign which resulted in a much more cohesive looking magazine.

Most importantly, however, Was my improvement with photoshop. Initially, I used the quick select tool and the eraser to cut out the outlines of my models, which resulted in my photos being pixelated at the edges. The more I practiced though, the more I learned about how to use photoshop. I started using the pen tool to cut out people from their backgrounds, I used a lightening mode on some of my model's clothing to make them appear brighter, and I removed my models' acne and dark circles using a combination of the smudge tools, drawing tools, and eyedropper tools.

Clearly, modern technology is a necessity for making a magazine and it is important to practice with said tech to nake the best quality possible.

CCR Question #3 Draft

My production skills improved greatly in terms of production design. Starting this project, I had no idea how to format a magazine, write a magazine article, or edit pictures. 

While at my main photoshoot in the skatepark, I improved my camerawork. I started by just taking straight-on pictures of my models standing awkwardly. After a while, I already started to adapt. I started directing my models on what to do with their faces and bodies and I started changing the camera angles. 

This also increased my creativity. During the photoshoot for my cover photo, I originally had my model, Alexa, up against a blank wall to be pictured. I wanted better natural lighting, so I opened my white heavy curtains. I then decided that we should take pictures in front of the folds of the curtains, which ultimately resulted in a much more pleasing image. While photographing Alexa, I constantly directed her on how to move her face and how she should pose, which I was unable to do at the beginning of this project. 

The production quality of my magazine also improved over the course of the class. The first draft of my magazine featured a cutout of Alexa's head with a pink background on the cover, a short article with poorly centered words, and more pink backgrounds. I changed this all; I left the background behind Alexa, I rewrote my article, and I removed unnecessary pinkness from my page backgrounds.

Overall, my magazine and my skills have both seen massive improvements. I have evolved in my ability as a magazine editor, article author, and photographer. 

CCR Question #2 Draft

I would distribute my magazine both in-store and through a mail subscription. In grocery stores, book stores, and convenience stores I would sell my magazine. More importantly, however, I would also distribute my magazine online. Because of the stressed importance of social media, especially with the younger generation, it is imperative that content is available on all social platforms.

Because my target audience is teens and young women, it may be easier for them to subscribe online, so a subscription for an online copy of the magazine would be made available for a price. It would, however, be free to subscribe to my website's email list. The magazine's website would have content that is similar to the content from the magazine itself. 

This plan for distribution would be most effective because the utilization of the various social media platforms would make content easy to access. It would also make the content relevant in the eyes of young viewers who have grown up on the internet. 

CCR Question #1 Draft

In my magazine, Antonious, multiple conventions are challenged. The most obvious being the name. Most magazines catering to female audiences have either feminine names (e.g. Marie Claire, Claudine Women's Magazine) or names that are distinctly not masculine (e.g. Vogue, Cosmopolitan). However, I personally hold the belief that girls can be whoever they want to be, and maybe that means being a little masculine. The other reason for the name is because my friend, Tony, told me to name my magazine after him. 

Another convention I broke was not using backgrounds on a lot of my images. I've seen it done with usually a body part, like a hand to show off a girl's nails in Cosmopolitan, but never on a full body. I did this because I wanted to force the reader's attention to the outfits the girls are wearing. The photoshoot was done at the skatepark where there are lots of graffiti and exciting things in the background, so I just cut the background out. 

However, one convention that I did use was a color theme. Elements of pink are seen throughout the magazine and give it a cohesive look. I have seen this in multiple magazines, most notably in Teen Vouge's. The repetitive use of the muted pink ties other elements together. 

In terms of social groups, only four models were used, but many social groups are represented:

On the cover is Alexa. She is clearly a caucasian blond teenage girl and, based on her makeup, is representative of girls with an editorial style. 

Next is Allie. She is also white but represents the goth style. She is seen with spiky black hair, pink eyebrows, and black clothing that shows she is clearly alternative. 

My last two models are Kailey and Nya. Both are being pictured in a skatepark, so they represent a more sporty, but laidback lifestyle. They are both sporting clothing that is popular due to social media, so they represent girls who may be internet famous or aspiring to be. Aside from clothing, Nya is African American and provides representation for the black community.