Reevaluate

After the group meeting in class, I left with a lot of changes: font, genre, color, table of contents, and basically anything I thought I was going to do.
Not that the ideas and suggestions the group provided me weren’t amazing, I do find that this group meeting has made me revaluate EVERYTHING. Rather than be more interested and passionate to keep me going, I left class discouraged.
Seeing that I haven't taken pictures, hence far behind schedule, the stress levels has risen. I feel so unprepared. I don't know if it is magazine related or just other things and assessments around me that has caused me to unfocus.
Thank the gods for spring break i'm I right? I am not sure if it's the optimistic side of me or the desperation, I believe that after this break, I'll be able to come out of the break with pictures, a cover page, and an some form of advertisement for my magazine. I'm thinking traveling agency, but I'm not sure how to portray said agency.
In other words, my break from work will be no break. Here is a list of what I will make sure I complete:

• New font for "Stagger": The one I have now is too curvy. It takes away from the seriousness of the topic and genre. 
• Genre: I feel like I lack all the elements of what makes a fashion magazine, which isn't necessary a bad thing. I never intended to make a "fashion" magazine. Nonetheless, I need to reflect the layout of a full photojournalistic magazine. 
• Table of Content: I NEED MORE STORIES! I mean I knew that from the beginning, but I need a variety. I've lost inspiration and "topics" in which a magazine like "Stagger" would include. A detail the group meeting inspired was to include the page number of the story which is linked to the pictures on the Table of Content page. The large black and white dividers will have to become smaller in order to fit more stories, as well as some text to detail what the title represents. There are a lot of quirks which need fixing for the table of content to be complete. They aren't necessary difficult, rather they are specific and therefore fragile. The placement and sizing if every aspect is very specific so that the two pages will align with each other. 

Overall, I feel overwhelmed, but I think this stress will pay off at the end. In terms of the schedule, I can take pictures and edit for each aspect of the project accordingly. For example, when it's time to work on the two page spreed, I can designate some time to edit and take pictures for the said pages.
I really hope this huge delay won't hinder the quality of magazine I hope to produce. Wish me luck.

Portraits

I need to review some techniques before I head out to the field, so here is information I have on taking portraits.
To start off, portraits are a way of representing an individual. It is essential the absolute image, figuratively and actually, that anyone has of someone. There are many cliches about how "what is on the inside what counts", but that isn't to say appearances don't matter. As said in the youtube video, The Art of Portraits Photography, there are a lot of reasons why portraits hold value in terms of obtaining an emotional response. The connection and sentiment a portrait holds is impactful to the audience. The most effective way to captivate an audience's attention is through portraits.
The basics to keep in mind when taking portraits are set out by Fstopper's "7 Tips Your Camera Manual Never Told You About Portrait Photography". People may believe that having the best camera is the most important aspect of any photoshoot, they often forget the importance of the models posture and composition. The make-up and clothing all play a role in carting the best pictures out there. I'm not an expert in using cameras, but I do have a Canon EOS at my disposal thanks to my older sister.
Since I am focusing on the individual and what makes them who they are, close-ups are probably the camera shot I will be using the most. Referring to the Dummies article about taking close-up portraits, understanding the settings and features of a camera will aid me during the process. Tips on positioning the model and the importance of eye contact came up in the brief article.
Although I still may not understand any of the buttons on the camera, I feel better prepared for this new obstacle I am to overcome. New strategies and features I never had heard of surfaced because of my research. Truly, the Internet is an amazing place.

Citations:
> P., Hoyle, M., Finch, B., Diamond, J., & Levitas, E. (2013, August 8). The Art of Portrait Photography.
>Diamond, D., D., Facebook, Instagram, & Google. (2014, November 13). 7 Tips Your Camera Manual Never Told You About Portrait Photography. Retrieved March 15, 2018, from https://fstoppers.com/education/7-tips-your-camera-manual-never-told-you-about-portrait-photography-45422

>Taking Close-Up Portraits Using Your Digital SLR. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2018, from http://www.dummies.com/photography/digital-photography/shooting/taking-close-up-portraits-using-your-digital-slr/

Meet Some of the Models

Finding the right people to represent Stagger was EXTREMELY exhausting. Most people I know shy away from a camera, and in asking them to look directly into the camera and give me raw emotion makes them run and hide. Nonetheless, I manage to find very interesting people to capture.

I've known Adriana for a little over a year now. She is nothing but generous and kind. There is not a day in which she couldn't bring a smile to anyone's face. For all that, like anyone else, she has had her fair share of struggles through life. More than I think any teenager should be even exposed to. I want to be able to relate her story with many other young adults that usually put on a "mask" in order to reassure the people around them. Adriana's involvement in the physical and emotional wellbeing of any stranger shocks me. Even though Adriana is all smiles, I hope to draw out a more sensitive or undefined side of her. Knowing that this isn't something either of us is use to, a lot of convincing will be in order.

Valentina is a gem. Other than being the best friend anyone can ask, her view on the world is drastically different from mine. Valentina's values and morals are not customary to mine, however we understand each other great. The anxiety and stress she endures on any given day is masked through her unique sense of style. Although she and many may believe her outfits as ordinary, I make out something completely exceptional. Family is something she puts above all other, therefore the passion and loyalty this young woman has is something I wish to highlight.

I meet Iniya only a couple months ago through a mutual club. She is very inspiring. Iniya is open and happy, something absolutely rare in a immigrant who moved to the United States with little to no friends. I've learned so much about the process of immigration through her story, and hope to highlight the importance of the system in my magazine. Iniya and her story will be the content of the two page spread. I will be feature the role culture has influenced day to day life.


I am super excited to be given the opportunity to represent these and many more individuals.