Shooting Experience:

The shoot went well but it certainly didn’t give the most amazing results- admitting that not a lot of attention was paid on the planning of it. However, I managed to take a few good clicks along with some that didn’t turn out as well as I wanted them to.

The experience was exciting and at the same time really tiring, photography requires a lot of hard work and creativity- even the simplest items can be made to look beautiful. For my cover- page, I had an option of whether I would want to do cakes or cupcakes. Since I had already tried to work with a cake in my test shoot, I decided to change it a bit and make it more colourful just by placing a cupcake with soft decorations.

These were a few pictures that were taken by me. Not a lot is going on in the pictures and there is a lot of negative space in most of them but these pictures will be used in a very tactical way where the areas which have a lot of negative space will be covered with graphic strips (especially in the lower part of the picture) and cover-lines. The Masthead will be incorporated on top of the magazine cover.

Strengths: While I was doing the photo shoot, I tried to make sure that the lighting I had was enough to make the cupcake look delicious- also, the background matters a lot and after going through a couple of magazines that had cupcakes on them, some had more than one cupcake while the others were with a plain background and one cupcake with yummy icing on top! A good thing about my product was that it didn’t require much decoration, a simple yet appealing decorative icing was all that was needed. Also, a plainer background with a hint of silver colour gave it a very cool look, and allows the main product to be dominated.

Weaknesses: The reason I felt that a lot was missing out on the photography was probably because of the camera angles that were used. When I sat down and tried to figure out what the cover page would look like I felt like a huge mishap had taken place and the images seemed to be more suitable to the content and double spread rather than the cover page which clearly is the most important one since it is because of the cover page that the magazines are sold.

Test shoot

Since my food magazine is featuring the cake issue, I obviously want it to look extremely appealing so the audience doesn’t have to think twice about purchasing the magazine when they look at it: I wasn’t very content with my test shoot as I didn’t get the result I expected and hence, I will carry out another shoot which will be final (hopefully).

The test shoot, however included the following pictures:

  

These were the few pictures I captured, the reason why these images cannot be chosen as the pictures for the cover page mainly because the proper mise-en-scene is not being developed- the background needs to be a bit clearer maybe with a window blurred or a very calm and fresh scene at the back instead of it being plain white.

Planning: Schedule and Budget

I plan to carry out a test shoot on Thursday, 9th March, 2015 before 12 noon keeping in mind the daylight atmosphere gives a very fresh look to the pictures. Also, since it’s the food magazine fresh food makes it look even more attractive.

The final shoot, however will take place on Sunday, 12th March 2015 after discussing and pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the test shoot.

For the budget: the only greater expense would be of fuel for the car- otherwise expenses (if needed) would include the essentials the model does not have for example an apron, chefs hat OR if extra lighting is needed etc. Considering those, the total budget estimate would be of around Rs. 2000-2500.

Planning: Technology and Equipment

In order to begin the shoot the most essential product needed is the camera. For my photo shoot I will be using the Canon 550D, with a 18-55mm lens:
                       Keeping in mind its an indoor shoot- which includes food so the picture would be better if the camera isn’t very shaky when it’s being used, and so- a tripod will be used. 
If necessary, extra lighting would be used so the photograph is actually the way it is supposed to be and doesn’t end up being a disaster. 

Planning: Software

For editing, Adobe photoshop would be used keeping in mind the various tools it has along with the effects which allows us to transform a low quality image to a greater quality- making the photograph taken look better and attractive; however, not a lot of editing would be done as I would want my consumer to look at what they’ll actually get and not extremely different.

Planning: Location

Initially, I have decided to shoot for the media magazine in my models kitchen keeping in mind that producing freshly baked goods is always a bonus, especially if it’s all homemade. In today’s modern time especially, the consumers prefer anything that has been made at home compared to items in the local market etc. The time of the day would be kept in mind- according to what has been decided the shoot will take place before noon so we have the calm environment and good lighting.