Researching Photographic Techniques

When I come to create my images, I will be looking to create a high level of professionalism, a make my images high quality. By researching photographic techniques, I will develop an understanding of how to make my images look professional and of a high quality, so that they can then be used on my magazine front cover, feature articles and contents page. 

To begin with I looked at the lighting in rock shoots. It soon became clear that when taking shots of a whole band, having over head light shinning onto the persons you want to shoot is effective as it outlines and highlights the people in the shot well. Secondly, I were to include a portrait shot, I would want to use three-point lighting as it is more effective for getting the lighting on the face of the person in the picture. Three point lighting is where two lights get placed to the left and right of the model, and one behind to make the photo as light and possible this allows definition around the face of the model.

Next, I looked at location. I looked at many rock photo shoots and I found that shoots often take place on stage, or somewhere that is easily constructed to look like a stage, with instruments and stage back drop. Props often used on such shoots obviously include, instruments, such as, guitars, drums, drum sticks, etc. Secondly, I found that places like basements, with brick walls also offer a good backdrop for a rock photo shoot, as the backdrops look rough. In shoots like these in regard to props they are often fairly simplistic, with little props just a simple background and few, if any props. When it comes to making my own magazine, I will try to use both of these different types of shoot, to show my knowledge, and to make my magazine as professional as possible. 

I then went on to research poses and framing for my shoots. I discovered that if I am going to take portrait pictures of people, particularly men, as they are more associated with rock then its best if the men are stood tall, excelling tall, broad posture, it helps make the photo more happy and open.  For my cover photo the shot it would seem to be best to use is a medium close up for my main image, then to be complemented by some medium long shots.  I will take these tips into consideration when making my magazine as the things I have researched are the things that sell to the target audience of the rock genre, and in the end I will be looking to make money by selling my magazine and it will only sell if it appeals to the target audience.

I found this video which covered most areas of a rock photo shoot.