Magazine Selection Assignment

 

MAGAZINE PICTURE SAMPLES and ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
 

Objective: Learn what constitutes good photography in publications. Editors of magazines (and newspapers) cull through hundreds, maybe even thousands, of photos to pick the one they use in an ad or cover story of a magazine. So, in looking through a magazine, you are looking at the best of the best.

 

Heading:

 

Comp #                                                                                                                                   Student's Name, Period #

                                                                                                                                                Source of sample

 

On the 3rd Wednesday of each 6 weeks, you will be required to submit TWO (2) sample illustrations from periodicals or publications that fit the following criteria for selection and submission. Click on the image to the right for a full size sample.

1. The samples must be at least 4"x 4" inches, not exceeding 8"x 9.5" in each direction.

2. Your name, period # and source must be written in the upper right hand corner. The computer # must be in the upper left corner. Five points will be deducted for each item left off, placed incorrectly, or for any lack of neatness.

3. The samples must be mounted neatly using a glue stick only on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of unlined, 20lb white paper. The glue should not be excessive such that it is noticeable. Use TWO (2) sheets, one sheet for each example.

4. The samples must be of suitable subject matter. Any print deemed unacceptable will not count.

5. In fifteen words or less, neatly write in ink below the print your reasons for choosing each sample. Be specific; tell what in the example makes it exemplify the topic. Do not use any adjectives such as pretty, good, excellent, nice, bad, etc. Write out what you are going to put on the sheet on a scratch sheet of paper first so that you have no scratch outs or white out. Be sure you use good grammar, correct spelling and punctuation or points will be deducted.

6. The print cannot be cut out of a book, nor can the pictures be from a photography magazine, such as Popular Photography, Outdoor Photography, or American Photo, or copy and pasted from the Internet. Illustrations from brochures are acceptable. The example should be a photo...not a graphic illustration (i.e. a frame is added at the computer level) or a cartoon.

7. The mounted samples must be placed in a plastic sheet protector so that each sample is facing outward. Place you best/favorite example facing forward.

8. Fill out a magazine grader slip (in front of turn in sorter).

9. Some class time, generally the day before the due date, MAY be provided to complete this assignment. Be sure to have your supplies (magazines, glue stick and white paper) with you on this work day. Work is to be submitted before roll check on each due date specified. They are considered late when the tardy bell begins to sound. Any late assignments will be penalized. Because this is an extended assignment with much notice, if you are absent on the date the assignment is due, it will be due immediately on the first day you return. After that time, it will be considered late. A late penalty of 20 points will be assessed.

10. Be prepared to discuss one of your samples in front of the class on the date (if applicable).

Six weeks:    Topic:                                         Date due:
One                Framing                                          Wednesday, 9/8   
Two                Rule of thirds                                  Wednesday, 10/27   
Three              Leading lines                                   Wednesday, 12/15   
Four               Specific center of interest                 Wednesday, 2/9    
Five                Treatment of motion                        Wednesday, 3/30  
Six                  Unusual photographic techniques     Wednesday, 5/11   
 

Introduction to Composition/Layout Design

It is important to remember that photographs and illustrations are created, not accidentally made up. The designer must use all the resources possible, including the camera, computer, variety of programs, clip art, etc. to develop the best possible illustration. On the photographic side, composition of the image is one of the most important stages in the process of making a design or illustration. Technical knowledge and ability plus elaborate equipment are of limited value unless the finished photograph is useful or is pleasant to look at. The purpose of this assignment is to look at the fundamentals of composition for image acquisition, or photography, many of which transfer over to design composition and layout.

Descriptions of assignments

1. Framing - Artistic works such as paintings, needlepoint, and photographs are enhanced when mounted into frames. These wood, metal, or plastic frames draw attention to their contents. Some frames are better suited for selected artistic works than other frames. Creative talent is useful for good display of artistic work. The same is true for content within the photographic scene. Architecture, landscapes, and seascapes can be highlighted when trees or man made objects are used to create in-picture frames. A photographer needs to take time to look for natural framing. If this is not available, it is often valuable to create some type of frame. The goal posts on a football field can serve as excellent framing for educational activities-football team, band members, cheer-leading squad, and school friends. Framing is done by something around the subject. It is not done so by something like a brick wall or a group of people behind the subject.

Mark M. Hancock/The Enterprise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Rule of thirds - To help position the main subject within the photograph, it is useful to divide the rectangular area into thirds. Divide the horizontal distance into three equal spaces with two vertical lines. Also, divide the vertical distance into three equal spaces with two horizontal lines. This gives four points of intersecting lines. These points serve as guides to position the center of interest in the photograph. Any one of the four positioning points gives equal results. It is, though, important to consider the picture content while selecting the position point. The actual lines are not needed, because once this concept is known, it is easy to judge the location of the position points. The photographer should have little trouble in identifying these four points when looking through the camera viewfinder. http://www.silverlight.co.uk/tutorials/compose_expose/thirds.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Leading lines - Many items in a photograph (such as sidewalks, rivers, streams, pathways, and fences) can be used in such a way as to draw your eye along them towards the main subject.
 

 

 

 

 

4. Specific Center of Interest - The other areas or objects should draw attention to the main subject. The main object in a photograph may stand out because of its color or texture or focus or because of its placement amid the other items in the photograph, but it is quite obvious that the purpose of the photograph was that main object. Also, other people in the image pointing or directing attention to the main subject creates a center of interest. You almost ALWAYS have THREE or more people LOOKING at something. Two people LOOKING at each other are NOT a Specific Center of Interest.

 

MANY people COMPLETELY miss this magazine assignment topic initially. There will NORMALLY be at least two people...with BOTH them looking at the same item. Two people looking at each other is not a center of interest. Please try to get it right the first time.

 

 

 

5. Treatment of Motion - Motion can be depicted one of three ways. For this assignment, find examples of the first technique. 1. A moving object can appear to stop in mid-action while the background is a big blur. 2. A moving object can streak across the photograph in a big blur while the background stays in focus. 3. Using a high shutter speed can allow the object to stay in focus along with the background. This third method is called Stop Action. See this link for some good examples :

 

Samples: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1034&thread=14784795&page=1
 

 

 

by Macy R. (West Brook Photo Student '06-08)

 

 

 

 

6. Unusual photographic techniques - Some examples are micro photography, astrophotography, holograms, and underwater photography. It is not the subject that is unusual, but the technique used in the photograph. Basically, YOU just need to explain the unusual use of photography used.

 

 

Composition