Shot Types, Angles and Lighting

TYPES OF SHOTS I WILL CONSIDER USING: LONG SHOT

The long shot would work well for my images because:

• It shows an outfit, and many rappers and rap fans are quite materialistic and fashion aware. They like to keep up with trends.

• It can lead a cover or page fully, since it would be larger and more dominant then any text.

• It includes the whole of the artist. E.g. their face, their style, and their presence.

• Especially a contents page image and it could weigh a list of features perfectly.

TYPES OF SHOTS I WILL CONSIDER USING: MEDIUM LONG SHOT

Although it shows slightly more detail than a long shot, I doubt I will use this kind of shot type, simply because it is in between shots. It doesn’t give enough detail like a medium close up or close up. At the same time, it doesn’t round off an outfit or look that the artist goes for, since it misses the lower legs and feet.

TYPES OF SHOTS I WILL CONSIDER USING: MEDIUM/MID SHOT

This shot type is a common one used on magazine covers. It offers the chance to show emotion and facial expressions in more detail, and still captures iconic features that some rappers could have. E.g. jewelry, certain brands or tattoos. It could even capture hand gestures, common with some rappers for example, peace, eastside, westside, north, south, or certain letters relevant to the act/band.

TYPES OF SHOTS I WILL CONSIDER USING: MEDIUM CLOSE-UP SHOT

Being one of the most common types of shot used in magazines, it is very effective for front covers, as it shows detail, and is the closest type of shot to where the artist is full, real life size.

It can show emotion, moods, beauty or even iconic scars/tattoos that make the identity of rappers.

If used effectively, it can be the most powerful of images, and is the reason it appears on front covers so often.

DIFFERENT SHOT ANGLES I WILL CONSIDER

High Angle Shot

This conveys the model as powerless, small, and in some cases innocent. I doubt that this angle is right for the rebellious, loud rapper look I’m going for.Eye Level Shot

This angle is good to show emotion, detail of the face, and to address the reader as if they are talking to the model or directly in front of them. I will consider this angle for my images.

Low Angle Shot

This angle emphasizes power. It would fit with the ego many rappers have, and for this reason I will experiment with it when shooting.

Side profile Shot

This shot is effective but perhaps not for a front cover. I think it conveys anger, almost like a boxing match up, and shows the model and an interesting angle of theirs. Visually, for a double page spread I think it would be effective.

LIGHTING EFFECTS I WANT TO USE

High Key LightingHigh key lighting is usually used by fashion magazines to portray models as innocent and emphasize beauty etc. However, some rap magazines effectively use a lot of light to emphasize purity and innocence. This links to to sensible rapper Kendrick Lamar, who is very emotional and deep in his lyrics. I think I could experiment with this.Low Key LightingThe more stereotypical approach for rap magazine images is a lower key lighting, since it conveys a more serious, and almost sinister feel in some cases. It fits the stereotype of rappers better, and I definitely want to try both high and low key lighting.

Three Point LightingThis lightning technique provides essential light all around the model. A key light highlights the face, a fill light takes away any shadow from the key light, and the back light allows the model to stand out from the background.