VICE Magazine
>VICE Logo choices
As part of this project we have been commissioned to produce a cover and inside spread for VICE Magazine. To achieve this, I will shoot with a suitable model in a studio in a way that creates a new and clear character to the audience through a planned viewpoint through the camera alone swell as post-production editing in software such as Capture One, Photoshop and InDesign to compose the magazine in the template provided by VICE. I have a choice between a white or black logo as shown above to use over my image on the cover of the magazine.
VICE, originally VOICE, was founded in 1994 as a 16 page alternative punk zine in Montreal by Shane Smith and Suroosh Alvi. In 1999 VICE then moved to NYC and launched their own website, they have been there ever since. In 2002 VICE went to London and a year after opened their own shop there then the same with Melbourne in 2003 and Tokyo the following year. IN 2012 VICE acquired the VICE.com domain after going by VICELAND.com years prior. That same year i-D Magazine joins the VICE family. In 2019 VICE removed all 25 brand safety words for their clients and audiences due to many blacklisted words cover identity, sexuality, religion and activism. The magazine currently covers lifestyle, arts, culture and news/politics.
(https://company.vice.com/about/)
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>Inside Spread template provided by VICE
>Examples of covers from VICE magazines
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Looking at these example covers, it is clear that VICE use minimalistic images that prove effective through the message they are trying to deliver especially when on a shelf next to other magazines. Due to this style, the magazines stand out amongst the rest that are usually plastered with advertisements, images and words to tell the audience what to expect inside without opening the magazine. However, VICE do this through a single image swell as occasionally title words such as the above, "The Syria Issue".
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My ideas currently are revolving around the politics theme. Although VICE's Shane Smith stated they had no political stance to The Guardian, this is something that currently, in 2020, is packed with many topics to choose from. The one that catches my attention the most is 'Black Lives Matter' and due to it being in the time of Covid-19 could be interpreted effectively in a studio with a model.
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VICE Competitors
Vogue
Vogue is an obvious competitor and is well known to everyone as soon as you say 'fashion magazine'. Vogue covers fashion, beauty, arts & lifestyle and runway. Since the launch of the British edition in1916, Vogue has been known as the 'fashion bible' and over the years have defined fashion in a unique way that it is instantly recognisable as Vogue. Due to the added bonus of including featured celebrities it becomes more interesting to the audience and in many cases celebrities are the face of media. This separates them from VICE as they feature 'ordinary' and interesting people that aren't yet well-known to others.
(https://insiders.vogue.co.uk)
(https://www.condenast.co.uk/vogue/)
Rolling Stone Magazine
First issuing on November 9th 1967, Rolling Stone is an American magazine that focuses on popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco 1967 by Jane Schindelheim, Jann Wenner and Ralph J. Gleason with their first issue featuring John Lennon on the cover. Due to being a magazine on popular culture it was instantly favoured by the public as it featured many celebrities popular at the time they featured in Rolling Stone. The name 'Rolling Stone' came from the Bob Dylan song 'like a rolling stone' and the slogan 'all the news that fits' was provided by the early contributor, manager, and occasional editor Susan Lydon. This is a magazine heard of by many but spoke of by very little despite still running today.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stone)
(https://www.rollingstone.com)
Buzzfeed
Since 2006, Buzzfeed is an independent world leading digital media company that reaches up to millions of people worldwide.Like VICE, Buzzfeed also have cross-platform networks including Buzzfeed Originals, Buzzfeed Media Brands, Buzzfeed Studios, Buzzfeed News and Buzzfeed Commerce. Having these cross-platform networks helps the companies to reach more people. Buzzfeed also have an app and a feature on 'Snapchat' which further helps them to reach audiences. They are also New York based which makes them even more of a competitor to VICE.
(https://www.buzzfeed.com/about)
What is a profile feature?
A profile feature is an article that talks about the background and character of a chosen individual. These often occur in newspapers or magazines or websites, like the examples above. This is something Vice magazine do occasionally where they talk more about the character in question, many of their stablemates such as iD magazine or Vogue also include profile features in their magazines as a way to entice the people that like the person in question.
Here are more examples of profile features. These can be shown through the cover of an image as a sneak peak of the feature to entice the target audience and help them stand out against their stablemates.
As part of my research into VICE, I found some of their magazines to see what they expect in their magazine and how images are laid out.
From these I can see that they look for unique and unordinary images with lots of character. Due to this, it provides a lot of creative freedom for those shooting images for VICE.
> Here are two examples of portraits from VICE magazine.
Both have equal amounts of character, the lighting and set up emphasising this. These two images show clearly how different portraits can be, giving me more confidence in what I could do for VICE in my project.
The portrait on the right has more light to emphasise their facial features, possibly being the model's best characteristics. Having the portrait framed as just a headshot shows the strength of the character, linking with the headline 'Queer' which is portrayed clearly here with pride.
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The image on the left seems more moody. The dark colours and lighting as well as the pose of the model. This is a simple portrait, the only focus being the model and all her characteristics such as her tattoos, pale skin, butch appearance is quite gothic in a way and intimidating to the viewers.
> Inside spread example from VICE magazine 2019
This example of the inside spread was quite helpful to me as the layout is quite similar to the one VICE has provided us for the project. Like the previous portraits, this inside spread also shows lots of character in its unique composition in the use of the small mirror with three subjects squeezed into the frame.
> Mindmap of initial ideas
"Radical change refers to change that occurs relatively fast and modifies the essence of social structures or organisational practices. Specifically, this type of change affects the resources, norms, and interpretive schemes of groups and individuals." - IGI Global.
In terms of change in current events (covid-19), one of my first thoughts was the cancelling of Halloween. I done some research and made some sketches based off this idea as well as took some inspiration from Pinterest and social media. Currently, there is a halloween trend where people dress as the classic ghost. I looked into this as a possible idea for my project:
> Photographers(in order): Fritzbacon, Ashely B Portraits, Whimsy Soul
> Rough sketches/ progression of ideas
After getting to planning a test shoot stage of the idea, I figured it was something very generic at this time of year so I looked into something more challenging out of my initial ideas mind map.
Here are some sketches on the idea of slow shutter speed/long exposure.
For this, I could use an idea from my previous sketches (last sketch) as I feel it would be effective in showing time.
> here are some examples of what other photographers have done similar to the sketches I have
Photographers(in order):
unknown
Gjon Mili
unknown
Aneta Ivanova
Long exposure is something I haven't experimented with properly before therefore I think this would be a good time to take myself out of my comfort zone of street photography and look at a more contemporary style of photography for this project.
> Reflection portraits
photographers(in order):
jeanphilippelebee & Taylorlashae
unknown
Aliona Serzhanova
jeanphilippelebee & Taylorlashae
As well as slow shutter, in my test shoot I would also like to experiment with the idea of reflection. For my ideas, there may be some post-production editing to make the image effective and show what I would like it to show.
Here are some sketches I have done to show how I might shoot this during my tests;
I wanted to keep my options broad for the test shoot and take the opportunity to experiment to see which technique would work best for what I would like to do to show 'RADICAL CHANGE'. This shoot will be in colour despite a lot of my inspiration images being monochrome. I will also be shooting my images in RAW format to keep the real quality of the images in post-production. I'll be using Photoshop and Lightroom to edit these images.
Here is the first test shoot:
There are a few images that didn't turn out how I had intended them to, such as the slow shutter images where they are over exposed, this is something I will have to improve on and fix in my next test shoot by balancing each exposure element (Aperture, ISO & shutter speed). Many of these images will be merged together to create a double exposure image in post-production edits. My idea during this shoot was to show the things we can't do due to coronavirus or things we now have to do wearing a mask. I would like to develop this idea in a more public place rather than an isolated neighbourhood in my next test shoot. There were some natural shots I got of the model that I thought may work well somewhere or merged together with another shot.
These are my edits so far. The second two are double exposures in which I had planned to do, the first one are two images layered together to get the effect of two models showing the before and after of coronavirus. I think the double exposure images are effective and I would like to have another attempt at them for my next test shoot in a better suited location. I chose this location to see how it would fit the theme due to it being a quiet and isolated neighbourhood showed the isolation people felt during the national lockdown.
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After my test shoot I decided on taking a different approach in a more controlled environment with a model.
This is fashion photography, something I haven't experimented with before and have wanted to try. However, due to the theme of 'Radical Change' I still want to keep the covid aspect in so I decided the model would be wearing a mask to show this aspect.
I made a mind map of ideas for this;
More on this, due to one of vice's main topics being identity I figured it may be good to experiment with that through covid in a fashion shoot environment to show normality being not so normal anymore. For this I would have the model posing normally however with a mask (indicating covid) and with an expression of confusion possibly with some props like spare masks or hand sanitiser, cotton wool swabs (covid test) things that were uncommon that have now become part of many people's everyday.
Nick Knight
Nick Knight is a British fashion photographer and is also the founder and director of the award winning website SHOWstudio.com. He has worked with many world known fashion designers such as Christian Dior, British Vogue, Paris Vogue, Swarovoski, i-D Magazines, Yves Saint Laurent and worked with celebrities like Lady Gaga and Kanye West.
His work is something I feel I could take inspiration from for Vice magazine. Knight often tests the boundaries of fashion photography and makes what some may see as weird or confusing as wonderfully beautiful to others. This is often what Vice does, they create weird images and make them lovable to those open to it.
(https://www.nickknight.com/about)
Tim Walker
Tim Walker is a British fashion photographer well known for his work in Vogue Magazine, his work is instantly recognisable by the fascinating characters he creates in his photographs. Walker has received many photographic awards over the years since 1994, his first fashion shoot being at the age of 25 for Vogue and since then has photographed for the British, Italian and American editions as well as W Magazine and LOVE Magazine.
(https://www.timwalkerphotography.com/biography)
I made a Pinterest board of ideas for poses and makeup;
My idea behind these inspirations is for the eyes to stand out for the fashion aspect of the shoot; due to the model wearing a mask only their eyes will be shown thus being the only facial feature people will see. The model I have asked to participate in this shoot is also very creative makeup wise and does many eye looks themselves so I have a lot of flexibility for this shoot.
I tried to find some poses from fashion shoots, these ones I feel could have my idea of covid added to them easily. I will tweak them to fit my model and set up however, the backdrop will most likely depends on the colour outfit my model chooses to wear.
This shoot will be in colour and I will be using coloured backdrops as seen in many of these inspiration images. I will be using a 50mm lens and a 18 - 35mm lens as well as the elinchrom kit studio lighting. I will be making sure to use mixed lighting for this project as that was required in the brief given and through this i would like the whole scene lit so both the model and background are seen.
>Here are some sketches of what the front cover and inside spread could look like.
I would like to keep both the cover and inside spread related theme wise but also be visibly different from one another in terms of props placement, posing and possibly lighting.
For this shoot I will be using RAW files only with a minimum of two light sources set out differently for each shot used to emphasise character further. I will also be doing a grey card shot to help with white balance in the images which I will be editing in capture one.
Looking at Vice I am aware of how wild and weird they get in their magazines and I want to embrace that as best I can in my shoot be that in makeup, posing, outfits, props etc... while also showing clearly the idea of radical change which I feel now is best represented through covid and the change is relatable at this present time.
Here are some images from my Pinterest board of outfit inspiration for this shoot. I noticed while looking for inspiration that women's fashion is very centralised at baggy bootcut pant suits and dresses to fit the modern minimalistic aesthetic. I also noticed many models in these images are wearing heels and have their hair swept away from their faces.
For my shoot I would like to focus around the idea of minimalism in this unprecedented time of coronavirus by having the model wear a one colour outfit wether it be dress or pants suit. This would also ensure more focus on the other parts of the shoot that revolve around the theme of coronavirus radical change.
> Post on aula explaining changes to VICE project brief <
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Due to the second UK lockdown I have had to tweak my project slightly in order to abide by the new restrictions in place.
The adjustments I have made are now authorised in the brief and are as followed:
- An on location rather than in studio
- No use of mixed lighting, attempt to use natural lighting if possible or phone torch light
- Use of 50mm lens to allow distance between myself and the model
I made some more sketches on the templates to have more of a selection during the shoot. I looked back onto the idea of reflection for this project as I feel it could still look effective in a fashion like shoot and also gives me the opportunity to embrace the creative weird side of vice.
In preparation for the shoot I looked at the weather forecast for the area. My shoot will most likely take place indoors but the overcast may affect lighting which may mean I rely of some artificial lighting from my phone light as it's all I have resource wise to hand at this point in time.
Final Shoot
> these are the lighting diagrams I made for the shoot while the model was getting ready due to last minute changes (finding out the model owned a ring light)
During the shoot the model and I communicated and decided on going for something seen on RuPaul's drag race where at one point the contestants had to create something from scraps or things such as gift bags. The model and I agreed this would be good to try with the facemarks so for the inside spread that is what I tried with the model and it worked quite well with the idea I'm going for.
For the front cover I stuck mostly with my sketches and initial plan with the idea of reflection. I found it difficult to capture the angle I wanted of the subject in order to get the mask -> no mask look in post-production, so I settled on having just the mask but took some without a mask to give myself options for post production.
These are the best images from the shoot placed in a contact sheet from capture one.
I wanted to make the inside spread and front cover different from each other so chose different lighting and angles for the model, the green wall as a background worked well in doing this and added extra character to the subject.
In the end I chose to do the shoot inside a bedroom as i feel it shows the 'stay at home' for covid-19.
> These were the main contenders for the front cover of the magazine. I was looking more at the masked ones as they indicate more covid than the images without.
I put some of the ones I thought would work best in the cover into the template to make a final decision based on what looked best with the logo.
I chose these two images for my final design as I feel they show the most character and best represent the idea I was trying to portray. The inside spread to me is more of the weird side of vice and the use of face masks as accessories is clear here. I wanted to ensure the images didn't seem as though they were mocking a serious topic which is why the front cover is more serious. However, the covid link is relatable and familiar to almost everyone and is eye catching against stablemates.
Final Thoughts
What worked?
- Model was flexible and cooperative
- Despite circumstances managed to create different lighting in both images
- Theme is visible through both images, inside spread expands on the idea
- Managed to get a range of images and poses to choose from for the templates
- My model owned a ring light so it helped create more of the lighting I wanted for the images
What didn't work?
- Due to second national lockdown I couldn't shoot in the studio so done the shoot at home
- Couldn't do mixed lighting as kit store wasn't open
- Difficult to find time with the model as they worked and had college
- Lack of props bothered me slightly and shifted my plans but wasn't too much of an issue
What would I do differently next time?
- Make sure there are no obstacles/restrictions such as covid that limit what I want to achieve
- Hire lighting equipment and lenses from the kit store
- Do the shoot in the studio as planned from the beginning
- Get specific clothing for the model and have wardrobe changes for the cover and inside spread
