Poster Draft #3

Evaluation - Overall I am happy with this draft however it is my least favourite of the three. I love the main image and how changing the brightness has really improved it and added to the intended ghostly feel however I aren't as fond of the positioning of the text in this draft and in particular, the banner at the top. Even though it is a good idea, I don't think I executed it in the best way and if I was to re-create this draft, I would spend more time editing and changing its position.

Making - Poster Draft #3

1 - Firstly, I chose the image that would be used as the main body of the poster. I chose this image as it is the same as one of my album cover drafts and would therefore create continuity. I also chose this image as I love the blurred effect created in Lily's body and is used quite frequently within the indie folk genre.

2 - I then increased the contrast by +25 and the brightness by +80. I found this improved the image a great deal as the original image was too dark. The brightening effect also gave the image a more ghostly feel along with the blurred effect.

3 - After that, I added a sepia photo filter to give the image an older more retro feel to it.

4 - I then added another photo filter, this time magenta in order to give the image a slight pink tint and a rosy warm feel.

5 - In order to make the text more visible on the contrasting background, I added a white rectangle shape across the top of the image. I then changed its opacity to soften its appearance and make it less harsh. This made it fit with the image better.

6 - The white shape made it easier to add text over it and make it more visible. The combination of the text and shape makes it more eye catching and stand out better.

7 - I then added the relevant information underneath the title. I like the contrast in colours of the text and background and it makes it subtly different.

8 - Then, using the brush tool I added the star rating at the bottom of the poster where they are most commonly found.

9 - Finally, I added the review quotes on either side of the star rating to keep the poster balanced.

Poster Draft #2

Evaluation - Again, I am very happy with this draft. I particularly like the placement of the writing at the top of the poster and how it stands out from the image behind. I like the mise en scene in this poster as you can see the location better in this draft than the others. The use of nature in the shot like the log Lily is sat on and the running stream behind her all comply with the conventions of the indie folk genre and look professional for a real indie folk album poster. If I was to change anything it would be the gradient. I would reduce it slightly more as I found that it took away a lot of the brightness from the image that would be useful in order to help it stand out better.

Making - Poster Draft #2

1 - Firstly, I chose the image that I would use as the main body of the poster. Because it is already in portrait, I didn't need to select a page size previously.

2 - Next, I used the clone tool to get rid of any unwanted parts of the picture like blemishes or spots. In this case, I used it to remove a section of the camera bag which was accidentally left in the shot. From using this tool I could change the camera bag to look like the log beside it.

3 - I then changed the contrast to +50 and kept the brightness the same. This made the image look edgier and sharper.

4 - The change in contrast the image appear colder in colour so I added a sepia photo filter to warm it up and soften the colours.

5 - I then added the text in the same font and colour as on the album cover as to keep with the continuity and visual recognition of the band.

6 - Underneath the writing I again included a star rating to keep with the conventions of posters.

 7 - As there was now no room left for and more text at the top without compromising the size or font of the existing text, I decided to add a gradient at the bottom of the image so that I could add text at the bottom without the colour of the text becoming invisible due to either the dress or the log. I reduced the opacity of the gradient so that it didn't ruin the image by making it too dark or obvious.

8 - Finally, I added the release date of the album at the bottom of the poster, over the gradient. I made the text large so that it stood out to the audience.

Poster Draft #1

Evaluation - I am really pleased with my first poster draft. In particular, I like how I have used the album cover within the poster as it creates continuity between both ancillary texts making my product more recognisable to an audience. I also like the simplicity of the poster with only a small central main image and text, I think this makes the poster more approachable and easy to read. It also makes the image more eye catching. If I was to change this product, I would possibly make the text a little larger in some areas to fill the space more.

Making - Poster Draft #1

1 - Firstly, I open a blank page on photoshop choosing the 40" by 60" paper. This is the size I will need for a standard poster.

2 - Then using a solid colour, I change the background to black as I feel that black has a more dramatic and eye catching effect on a poster than white does.

3 - I then import my chosen album cover draft, the background being black also helps the album cover image to fit better within the poster. By using my chosen album cover, it creates continuity between my ancillary texts and makes the product more easily recognisable to my audience.

4 - After this, I then add a star rating using the brush tool to conform with the conventions of other music posters. Along with this I add some quoted text as part of the star rating review to give my audience reassurance that what they are buying is trusted.

5 - At the bottom, I then add more text giving information on when the album is released and how to buy it.

Ancillary Text - Poster Research

Laura  Marling's simplistic poster is highly conventional of the indie genre. This is done through the use of a clear black and white colour scheme and very little text. The only text used is the artist's name, album title and when the album is released (in this case, now). This makes the viewer more likely to take in the content of the poster as there is less to read, however what text is there stands out very well. The image used is a sketch instead of a photographic image (also used on the album cover). This appeals to an indie audience as they like things that are unconventional of most genres and like to stand out and be individual. The idea that the main image is a piece of art instead of a person pulling a pose that has been seen many times before appeals to the indie audience as new and interesting.

Ben Howard's poster like Laura Marling's includes the same image and text from the album they are promoting. Again, there is little text and what there is stands out, in particular, the artist's name, followed by the album name and then the release dates. Unlike Laura Marling's, this poster also includes instruction to pre-order the album. The image is in water, another convention of the indie folk genre as it symbolises the nature and purity that is reflected in the songs of an indie folk artist. The colour scheme is natural, soft colours. White, black and different shades of blue. The gentle mixture of the colours give a soft tone to the poster that is made to resemble the tone of the music it is promoting.

Noah And The Whale's poster, again like the others, is made up of the same image and text that is used in the album cover, this creates continuity and visual recognisation for the audience so that it is easier for them to understand what the poster is promoting. Unlike the other posters, there is quite a lot more text. For example, there are reviews at the top of the poster. This gives the audience reassurance that what they are buying is good quality. It also has information on how they can buy the CD or download or to even get a deluxe CD and DVD combo. The colour scheme is Black, light blues and White. The use of soft, neutral colours reflect the genre and mood of the music. The use of the old fashioned camera in the main image is self-reflexive as it shows the media text. This is conventional of the genre as 'indie' music rebels against the 'norm' of the music industry.