Zoe Stuthridge A2 Ancillary Tasks

In order to ensure that I am conducting successful photo shoots as an effective contribution to my website, it was important that I planned my photo shoots thoroughly. Throughout the construction of my website, I planned and carried out various photo shoots in multiple locations, to give the website for my magazine more variety and appeal to the audience. I travelled to Newquay on several occasions, where I visited Fistral and Watergate Bay beach to take surfing images. I used a Canon 5D camera and a tripod for these photoshoots, and the tripod was particularly important for these shoots because it helped to stabilise the camera on the different beach surfaces, as well as allow me to take a variety of images at different camera angles and shots. I also conducted a lifestyle photo shoot in the town centre of Newquay, where as a group we visited various shops, such as the 'Box and Barber Coffeehouse', the 'Jam Jar Café' and the 'Watershed' surf shop. This allo...

A website usually always begins with a home page, clearly demonstrating the purpose and genre to the audience  Within the home page, there are typically interactional subheadings, positioned at the top of the page, containing other subject areas e.g. 'Home and Garden' for the audience to navigate through The title of the magazine is usually always positioned at the top of the home page, making it easy for the audience to understand what to expect from the website  Any images included are typically positioned alongside a heading and an article extract, in order to inform the audience on what to expect from this particular section of content Typography is often capitalised to make it stand out to the audience, and will often contrast with the background colour e.g. if the background is black, then it is likely that the text will be white  The occasional video is included, but not frequently enough to make it a common convention. An example of a video that is occas...

In terms of cost for a website, it typically depends on what 'plan' you can buy. After conducting some research into this area, I discovered that whilst there are some platforms which enable you to build a website without making a purchase, such as Wix, which allows you to build a certain amount of pages for free. However, if you are wanting to expand your website, i.e. for business reasons, then you can purchase additional content. Whilst the pricing of a website can vary depending on which platform you use to set one up, pricing can vary from around £400- £10,000 (taken from  https://startups.co.uk/how-much-does-a-website-cost/ ) Websites are an important contribution to the magazine industry, particularly because the use of online technology is continuously increasing, because they can easily present digital content in a way that is easily accessible to an audience. For example, many websites offer social media links, and within areas such as photography competitions...

In order to gain an understanding on websites and how they are laid out, I researched the various sections within a website, and how they are presented. Throughout the various websites I researched, all of them had a home page showing an audience the different content the magazine has to offer. This demonstrates that this is a common genre convention. All of the websites had a 'Contact' page, which offers the audience the chance to get in touch with the magazine about any enquiry or problem they may have. For regional websites, certain websites have similar content, such as 'out and about' and 'homes and garden'. This shows that the genre is being represented effectively, therefore following conventions and appealing to the audience. Depending on the website, the occasional inclusion of a competition is offered to the audience, usually involving the chance to win a holiday, which will appeal to the audience. Social media links are usually advertised,...

I wanted my own billboard to demonstrate the genre of my magazine in a way that ensured it was clear to the viewer what I am trying to advertise. As my magazine is regional, I wanted to use a landscape photograph on my billboard, ideally of a particular landmark or area that is well known in Cornwall, therefore easily recognisable to the viewer. I therefore researched various landscape images, in order to gain a better understanding on the different types of camera angles, and the positioning of certain objects. I also considered the rule of thirds, and if I applied this within my own billboard photography then this would ensure that I would have space for any text needed. The photograph above demonstrates a long shot at a eye-level camera angle. It clearly demonstrates a landscape photograph, and would work effectively in a regional magazine. It also makes the audience feel engaged in the photograph due to the clear imagery. This image would make it clear to the audience on t...

This website relates to my chosen genre because it is representing the same region as I am, as well as targeting a similar audience. Studying this website thoroughly will enable me to understand more about genre conventions, as well as ensuring that I will understand more about the overall appearance of an website, and the types of images and content to include. The organised subheadings give the website a professional, structured appearance, therefore connoting high production values The capitalised masthead gains further attention with its positioning at the top of the page, therefore ensuring that it will be one of the first features the audience focuses on The clear image quality indicates that a professional camera has been used, therefore connoting high production values The capitalised subheadings on every image adds further detail to the website and its content, as it is informing the audience on the typical features the magazine has to offer The inclusion of differe...

The positioning of the masthead ensures that it will grab the attention of the audience by being one of the first things they will see The basic structure of the website ensures that it is easy for the audience to navigate their way around it The short, basic subheadings are effective in ensuring that it is easy for the magazine's audience to understand what to expect in each section The subheading above the masthead makes it more personal for the viewer, therefore appealing to them by drawing them in Repetition of the proper noun 'Cornwall' along with the list of Cornish location names reminds the audience of the region being featured The variation in article content indicates that the interests of the audience are being met. For example, many members of the audience for 'Cornwall Today' magazine will have an interest in the popular TV show 'Poldark', particularly because it is set and filmed in Cornwall. Therefore, it is likely that they will wan...

The inclusion of a variety of different magazine issues demonstrates a sense of diversity, therefore appealing to the audience by showing that this particular magazine creates varied content to appeal to their viewers by keeping them entertained The wide separation of letters from the masthead suggests that the positioning of the layout has been carefully considered to appeal to the audience  The use of the colour yellow connotes warmth and happiness, and contrasts effectively against the black and white typography Inclusion of important information such as the magazine title and release date will appeal to the audience, as it is informing them on when new issues of the magazine will be released All of the typography is in capital letters, which makes the billboard look more appealing as well as making it stand out more  The clear photography connotes high production values, as it demonstrates professionalism

The repetition of the magazine title reinforces a sense of familiarity with the audience, therefore creating a more personal connection between the audience and the advertisement The preview of the magazine issue will appeal to the audience because it is presenting certain content that will interest them The inclusion of a celebrity also appeals to the audience, and females in particular, who have an interest in celebrities and fashion Including 'exclusive!' makes the billboard appear more important and desirable, therefore making it more appealing to the audience As red typically connotes strength and power, this is possibly included to give the advertisement more status and significance The red also contrasts effectively with the white text, making the text stand out and become more eye catching  In terms of typography, a variation of text sizes are present to demonstrate the importance of the text. For example, the name of the celebrity featured in the issue is cap...

After deciding upon my landscape image for my billboard, I realised that the photograph needed altering slightly to make it appear brighter as well as highlight the blueness of the sky. To adjust the colour of my image, I dragged it into Photoshop and experimented with adjusting the saturation levels on my image. Consequently, this brightened my image and gave it lighter, more 'positive' appearance, therefore representing the genre more and appealing to the audience.

In order to create more variation within our website as well as give it more originality, a media trip to a local brewery was organised, and as a group we were allowed to explore the brewery whilst simultaneously taking photographs of various different areas. This trip was really beneficial in developing my photography skills, as there were various objects with different textures throughout the brewery, and the different sizing and positioning of these objects meant that a range of different camera angles were needed in order to capture images that were unique and effective. The use of this photo shoot on my website will hopefully appeal to the audience because it is informing them on a  local company that is providing a service to areas across the region.