Successful Images Cover Photo Shoot Hayley McCarthy
1
2
The contact sheet on the left depicts 16 of the most successful images from the photo shoot. With the cover image in mind, I asked my model, Shannon (a.k.a Aggie Champion) to pose in the styles I tested using a model. At ďŹ rst, Shannon would smile at the camera, and I continued this whilst she warmed up into the role. Then, I asked her to perform more energetic poses, such as lifting the guitar behind her head, whilst maintaining an angry expression. This more ruthless expression ďŹ ts with that of the persona which I have created for the magazine.
!
When looking through the ďŹ nal results, I focused on three main things; pose, expression and quality. Focus was very important as this creates an aesthetically pleasing image, whereby expression and pose actually makes the uniqueness of the image. This shoot in particular was mainly for the cover image, so these elements were especially important. Despite this, if a particular image suits the style of the contents page, I shall include that image in the contents page also.
3
Least Successful Images
Ultimately only one image can be used for the final front cover. So, before editing any of the shots, I removed some more glaring examples of the least successful images based on pose, focus and expression.
Whilst this image is in focus, the prop guitar is not centred, and the way in which the model is holding the guitar seems quite awkward. Furthermore, her expression is quite innocent-looking, which contrasts against the proposed rebellious personality.
This particular shot is in focus, yet once again the guitar takes up the majority of the frame, becoming an unwanted focal point. Also, the model is smiling, does not portray the attitude which I wanted to construct.
The model’s expression is very animated and was very similar to the angered, rebellious look I was trying to achieve. However, the focus is on the guitar, and the proposed focal point of the models face appears darkened. Whilst this could be lightened during editing, the large guitar still proves too much of a distraction.
The angle and height of the guitar make this image more suitable for a double page spread rather than the cover image. Also, the image appears slightly underexposed, which would have to be rectified during editing.
Whilst I quite like the aesthetics of this image, the unconventional full body shot makes it unsuitable for the cover image. Yet I do see potential for this to be used in the contents page, so perhaps altering the existing flatplan could accommodate this.
Another quite unconventional image, the model has not maintained eye contact with the camera, hence sacrificing any connection which could be made with the readers. Despite this, this image is brimming with personality.
I really admire the expression here, which encapsulates the rebellious side I wanted to portray. Yet the angle of the guitar as well as the length of the guitar proves to be distracting, and hard to work around for the front cover.
Maintaining my favoured pose for the cover, the fact that the guitar is obstructing part of the models face makes this an unsuitable image for the cover. 4
Refining Selection I further scrutinised the remaining images to assess their suitability for the front cover. From this, I shall further refine my selection.
Maintaining the desired focus on the model’s face, I believe that once this image is cropped to a mid-shot this could be very successful. Although I do fear a loss of resolution.
5
When enlarging the image, the focus still remains on Shannon’s face, which is what I intended. Although I think the guitar is placed slightly too high, which could prove either useful or awkward for my final cover.
Despite not possessing an animated expression, the one-light set up is noticeable, causing the guitar to become underexposed.
An attractive image, the pose and focus on Shannon’s face heighten its aesthetics. Yet the calm expression is not what I intended for the cover image, contrasting the constructed personality.
Oddly, I really like the aesthetics of this image. Shannon looks passionate, and the image is exposed the right amount, after straightening the image, I think this could be a strong possibility.
Looking at the four similar images remaining in the selection, this image appears to be focused on the guitar headstock rather than the model's face, proving this unsuitable due to misguided focal point.
When cropped, this image becomes what I originally intended the cover to look like. However, when cropped further to a conventional mid-shot, much of the guitar is removed, making this image unsuitable for my front cover.
Whilst I do like the aesthetics of this image, as the guitar is out of frame this defeats the purpose of the prop.
Final Four
Original:
Whilst there may be a slight loss in resolution as a result of this crop, I think it is a necessary sacriďŹ ce in order to create a conventional mid-shot cover image.
The emotion in this image is extremely eye-catching and will add an unconventional twist to the cover. By slightly adjusting the angle of the image, a straighter angle is obtained, making it even more aesthetically pleasing. Original:
Original:
Disappointed with the original focus issues, paired with the fantastic expression, I was keen to at least attempt to shift the focal point of the image. I used the ironically named ‘Unsharpen Mask’ to sharpen the image, creating a greater focus on the face. This made the image more useable for the front cover.
Despite still being slightly underexposed and not cropped, I think that there is really something unique about this image. Once the draft of the cover is completed, I shall crop this image and place it on the front cover to see what it looks like overall.
7