Final Pieces

Photoshoots IV

This photo was for the "We're dreaming of a bright Christmas" hidden article. I used this image only on the front cover to fill the main photo space. The article is not actually on my layouts. I felt that an image such as this would help draw the reader's eye to Nomad on the newspaper stands. It also has connotations of winter and Christmas, and with people's enthusiasm for the commercial side of Christmas, I felt that this could be a selling point. I love the colour of the sky in the photo and I feel it adds a magical touch as well as fitting in with the paper's colour scheme. In photoshop I changed the levels to make the lights stand out more against the blackness of the trees. I took several different angles of the grotto, however I chose this one because in the others the top of the tallest tree was cut off and I felt that it would make the photo look more unprofessional. The display was there because of the ice rink and music event The Mall puts on every Christmas, again an iconic Bristol event.

I took this photograph at Cribs Causeway in the
evening whilst picking up a sibling, so again it
was another opportunists photograph.

A google maps image of the location.

Photoshoots III

This photograph was used for the debates section on the article related to St. Nicks Market.

I felt that this photo managed to capture the grandness of the building as Nomad is very much on the against side to getting rid of the market. I still included the for side however as I want to encourage readers, especially those of a younger demographic, to think for themselves and weigh up each side of the argument, which is very in keeping with the paper's ideology - an open mind. Again this is a location that most Bristolians would know and would highlight the paper being very local. I did not edit this photo very much as I felt that it was already adequate and professional, perhaps even slightly artistic due to the low angle. I used this angle (looking up at the building) to add power and authority to the building to make it seem more impressive and hopefully persuade readers to go against the notion of closing the market. One thing that I would change slightly is the graininess of the photograph, as I feel this detracts from the impact, however if the photo is small enough, hopefully readers won't notice. I like the contrast of the powerful lights against the darkness and I believe that this adds interest to the image.

This is a google maps image of the location on Corn Street.
I took the photograph whilst I was out with my friend and it was
very opportunistic. I used a bus to get to the location and it was taken
in the evening.

Photoshoots II

Here is another photo I took to feature in Nomad. I took this one for "Emily Returns!"

I felt that a needed a more mature looking person, so instead of using friends or my siblings I instead asked my mother to model. I took this photograph on a plain background as I felt that it would mimic the styles of the professional photos taken for identity tags at workplaces. I wanted the model to look cheerful so she'd be more likeable for the audience. I didn't have enough time to plan this one and so I didn't pick out a specific costume but added a scarf and sunglasses to what Carol was already wearing to add more of a 'jounalistic' feel. Unfortunately the photo didn't come out as well as I would have liked as the angle my model took made the light from the window to the left of her shine awkwardly onto her face. Additionally it looks slightly misty, but I am happy with the was she looks. Again, I used photoshop to edit the picture. I played around with the levels again to try and cancel out the unflattering light on her face and also added a slightly green tint to make a less flushed skin tone. I also used the blemish brush to smooth the complexion a tiny bit.

:)

Photoshoots

I have recently taken the photographs that will feature in my newspaper. 

After

Before

This photograph is for "School Celebrates Brand New Bursary." Unfortunately I could not get in closer to the SS Great Britain to take the photo as the admissions people wouldn't let me in without paying, even though I only wanted a quick photo. I decided to prop Joel up on a barrel near the fence besides the ship so that he was high enough in the shot for the camera to see both him and the ship despite the high fencing. The hat is to emphasise the link to Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a prolific inventor in Bristol history. It additionally links to the idea that the children are very young and may participate in arts and craft activities, and I feel this adds more innocence and 'warm' feelings toward the story. I had some trouble with keeping Joel's hat on however as he gets frustrated easily and can't sit still for too long with lots of places to explore! Therefore I had to get somebody to crouch hidden behind Joel to keep the hat on whilst he posed, which I felt was very innovative and a good solution to the problem. The day is more gloomy than I would have liked, as a sunnier sky may have provided a more optimistic feel to the picture. However, it does fit in with the date that this event is supposed to have been taken - autumn/winter.  I will be adding a caption underneath the photograph about who it is, and this will link it to the quote 'Joel gave'. Hopefully it will add context and help readers feel more connected to the story and the people involved. I feel that the shot looks quite professional due to the angle and the fact that it is not blurred or unclear. After uploading the photograph to the mac using a USB cable, I went into photoshop to do some photo editing. I used the spot blemish tools to clear his skin slightly and make it look more even toned and bright. I also played around with the levels of brightness, contrast and saturation to create a better look for the image.

This is one of the various pictures I took of Joel, my brother. Here he is trying to keep the hat on.
I love his expression however I feel that his arms cover his face too much.
I took several photos in order to have a choice on which is the best one.

As I couldn't get closer to the SS. Great Britain, I felt tempted to use this
ship instead. However this ship is lesser known and
less iconic in Bristol's history and I felt worried that the readers
may not recognise it.

This is a google maps image of where the ship is located.
I got a lift in a car with my mother to get to location. I thought that
it was essential that she came with me and Joel as he is
only five years old.

Almost Complete

Here is my practical work so far -

Audience Feedback Questions

These are a selection of questions for my audience feedback. This is so I can see whether my media text had the impact on my audience that I wanted and how well it might be received in real life.

• What is your sex/gender?
• What is your age? (Will include several options, e.g - 12-18)
• Do you read newspapers often? (This'll be multiple choice, e.g - never, once a month et cetera)
• Which newspapers do you usually read?
• Regarding the above question - why?
• Would you read my paper?
• If you were new to the city, (Bristol, UK) then what would you infer about the city, from the paper?
• Please write down what you think of The Bristol Nomad's layouts (e.g- professional) and why you think this.
• What do you think the ideology of the paper is? e.g - morals, political standing et.c
• What are your views?
• Do you think that the ideology of the paper matches some of your views? Which?
• Do you think that there is a hole in the market for a paper such as this?
• What do you think of the photographs?
• Looking at the adverts in the paper, would anything in them interest you?
• Do you think the articles are relevant to a local Bristol paper?
• What do you think of the newspaper articles in Nomad?
• Do you think the paper accurately represents Bristol and it's residents?

To gain feedback, as well as asking people I know (such as family, teachers et.c) I will also be asking those I know in the 'blogosphere'. Some of the questions, however will not apply to them, therefore I must choose which might apply to them, and which won't. For example, I wrote question 7 for people who don't live in, or have never been to Bristol, for example those who live in America. Hopefully I will get some useful answers I can use in my video evaluation.