Construcion of Main Image

Original

This is the image I chose for my front cover. I decided to choose this from my contact sheets because there is the only image which fits into the category of a potential front cover; there's no blur, it's not out-of-focus, and there is direct contact between the viewers and the model. With some adjustments and touch-ups (i.e. crop, rotate), it can definitely be turned into a good piece of work. 

NOTE: Every screenshot placed within the Google Slide below (as evidence of work) is numbered (in red, at the bottom right corner of each slide) in coordination with the paragraphs which explain the post-production process of my front cover. 



I edited this image online at the very beginning of the post-production process because I find it easier to use basic tools such as rotating, cropping and blemish fixes via online websites rather than a software (i.e. Photoshop) as it is really quick and simple for me to do so this way.

1) I went on to raw.pics.io in order to convert the file from Raw to Jpeg otherwise, it wouldn't open up in Photoshop and found a tool which allowed me to adjust the gray-scale. As you can see, the original is more on the pink side of tone and I felt that by increasing the gray-scale by 20% has made the natural tone of the model's face come out more. The main reasoning behind why I did this is because it will appeal to the audience more since the colours do not look exaggerated anymore.

2) After that, I went on to pixlr.com to use the tool which has allowed me to straighten and crop the image to my liking. I found this useful because I wanted to get rid of the wonky appearance it originally creates because it does not look professional and I feel that it will work better with the type of images I aim to follow in terms of conventions only after achieving an image in which the model's body does not appear to be tilted otherwise it will seem strange. This is because, from the analyses of multi-genre magazines (which promote hip-hop/alternative R&B) such as NME, Billboard, and XX, I noticed a very common convention: most of the front covers are either close-up shots or a mid shot if it features an artist. Otherwise, it will more than likely be a full body or mid shot of two people. 

3) The actual appearance of the main image (or in fact, in most cases any image inserted in a magazine) is just as important as supplementing codes and conventions of the type of magazines I am designing in this unit (in order to fit in and be at a high standard level of the industry). This is quite obvious because, in order to appeal to the audience, we must ensure that the image looks attractive and as though it has really been taken professionally from the photo shoots (good quality; no blur; should focus the subject of matter), to the development of image via using the internet (i.e. online editing sites) or software (i.e. Photoshop). With this in mind. I went ahead and added a smokey effect because it adds a nice touch to the background. Though I was fully aware none of the music magazine's (that I have seen during research) have ever used a smokey effect background, I still went ahead and tried out something new because this is an alternative change from something I originally anticipated my image would look like. It seemed that unfortunately I lacked the sort of lighting equipment I would have liked access to. Therefore, I was not able to do a similar theme to XXL's magazine featuring Kendrick Lamar.  By adding this effect, I made an interesting twist to the front cover still which is something I was aiming for in reference to the bright coloured lightings used in XXL's magazine cover. 

The following three images below will be screenshots showing the three final steps I took whilst paying attention to details in terms of the appearance. By doing this, I guarantee myself some positive feedback and/or impression from the audience because I aim to make it look as attractive as possible for visual satisfaction because the main image is definitely an element which is usually viewed by an audience first if not second after the masthead (followed by the colour scheme). Therefore, this element should be considered very well. 

4) The tool 'Brighten' under the adjustments section in Pixlr.com is a useful one because this has allowed for making a small change which will lead to a huge result because it makes the model's eyes stand out, again emphasizing the connection it will create with the audience.

5) After brightening up the eyes, I went on to Ribbet.com which is another photo-editing website. In there, I used the 'Blemish Fix' tool under the Touch Up section. It is self-explanatory as to what this does: I got rid of obvious marks whilst the natural look of his face still remains because my aim here was to make the main image look aesthetically pleasing without looking airbrushed because this is not something I have seen in front covers in regards to a male artist.

6) I finally went on to Photoshop to use the 'dodge' and 'burn' tool because after some careful observations on many different front covers, I noticed that all of the images have been taken with quality cameras and the images were professionally edited by experts. One thing I have realized is that there is surely the technique of 'burning and dodging' used throughout all images of front covers in order to highlight and create shadows where necessary. The screenshot shows my attempt to further develop the image by slightly highlighting parts of the model's face (i.e. bridge of his nose) using the 'dodge' brush and by using the 'burn' brush, I've given his hair a darker shade because the original was too much on the grayer scale and in order to make the image stand out even more, I feel this was a good idea.

After development