Photography Techniques:

I have been looking at different photography techniques today, because I want to make sure that my photographs that I am taking this week will look professional and stylish enough that it will make my magazine look more realistic and believable. 
So for this I have been on numerous websites to see what professionals have to say about taking a good portrait photograph. Some of the things I have found are things that I can't necessarily change and alter before I take my photographs, such as using a longer lens on the camera because I not guaranteed a long camera lens before I take my pictures.

1. The first point that I have found is to KEEP THE BACKGROUND SIMPLE. It says on Digital Photography School that "The more complex your scene is the more unlikely you are to get a shot that is the X factor. Keep your backgrounds (and foregrounds) uncluttered, work with natural light where you can, if you have to use artificial light keep it simple and use as few lights as possible." This is good for me because I will be using a studio that already has access to a number of soft lights and back lit screen, so hopefully when completing my portraits that I will be able to use this equipment to my advantage and take some really simple yet effective pictures.
2. The next point is that EVERYBODY HAS DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES that they use. Also on the Digital Photography School it says that different photographers have different techniques that they like to use. For example there are photographers that take the photos slightly below the subject's eye line, whereas there are some photographers that like to take them slightly above the eye line. It is personal preference and also it depends on what models you have got and whether it is more flattering to go above or below the eye line. For my photography, I am going to decide when taking my photos what is more flattering for my models at the time.
3. What I learnt next was that you should SET UP THE SHOT BEFORE INTRODUCING THE SUBJECT TO IT. Digital Photography School also say that it is crucial to set up the shot before actually putting the models in the frame, "Be as prepared as possible before your subject arrives. If you’re shooting in a studio have your lighting ready and camera set up and ready to go. If you’re shooting on location know where you want to shoot. Have your camera’s settings ready to go and even do a few test shots before your subject arrives. This way you don’t keep them waiting around and get to photograph them when they are fresh." This is an important aspect for me because I want to have my chosen models as natural and fresh as I can get and this point helps me a lot in planning and prepping the camera and equipment before I introduce them to it.
4. I have also learned a number of other techniques such as remembering to make sure that all of the equipment is working correctly before taking the photos because it's not good to have everything set up and right before taking the photos the camera battery dies. The whole thing is about preparation and planning for what you want to achieve in the time set to take the photographs. Also a tripod is a good idea to help get a nice straight shot, without any hand movements. In saying all this though, I have discovered that I really want to immerse myself in this new task and create something that will hopefully teach me some new techniques as well as making my magazine look more professional.

In conclusion to this research, I have realised that even though this might be a new and interesting task that I shouldn't under or over estimate myself and use the knowledge I already have by looking at differentphotographers and music magazine front covers and creating my own style of photography off the back of that.