New Magazine start up and my thoughts (31.07.2015)

New Magazine start up and my thoughts (31.07.2015)

Recently I've started a new magazine with a few friends. The magazine is called 'Eight Magazine'. It's a fashion based magazine, that focuses on highlighting up-and-coming artists. Every issue we'll feature 8 artists from a wide range of media. It won't just be 8 photographers every issue, it'll have painters, illustrations, musicians, poets, authors, sculptors, film makers, etc. 

I have never done something like this before, not on this scale. This is a large collaboration with myself, 8 artists, and numerous writers and editors. I have little experience with managing a magazine, and I'm very grateful for the people I have the opportunity to work with, because they have been incredibly helpful and inspiring. 

However, a part of me is struggling to keep afloat.

Along with the magazine, we have a website: http://www.eightmagazine.co.uk/

At the moment, I'm focusing more on the website and our social media to generate viewers and a following. The website focuses on posting the latest; art, fashion, film, music and photography news. I try to post two articles a day minimum. This can be difficult if I'm busy during the day, there aren't many writers that write for our website, actually it's just me and my friend James. One thing that really bugged me was, a few articles I have posted were for the sake of posting something. It didn't feel right. You can see it in some of my writing, some articles I can write a ton about, and is generally more entertaining to read. I've currently tried to stop posting junk articles - if I'm going to post something and I can't write a lot about it, I'll just post the facts. Take my latest post about the Herschel Supply Co. Fall Lookbook. The lookbook is so beautiful and well done, but I couldn't find many words to write about it, so I just posted a quote, some facts and a link to the collection. It felt more honest to write that way. I didn't have to make up some bullshit sentences or feign excitement.

Another issue I'm having with is Google Analytics. Every morning and every night, and several times throughout the day... I check Google Analytics. I need to know how many page views we're getting, how many users, what's the bounce rate, what days are doing well, and why they're doing well. But the past two days the user and view count have started to drop. I don't know why. Last Saturday, we didn't post any articles and it was one of our highest traffic days. I don't know why.

I feel like I should stop looking at Google Analytics so intensely, it provides me with facts but it doesn't predict the future. Just because a few articles about women's fashion did well, doesn't guarantee that if I write more about, that we'll get more traffic.

This is a minor diary like entry/rant that I wanted to write. Please check out Eight Magazine if you're interested in art, fashion, film, music or photography news.

Here are some links to our stuff:

Website: http://www.eightmagazine.co.uk/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eightmag

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ei8htmag/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eightmagazineuk

How I felt a year ago (25.06.2015)

How I felt a year ago (25.06.2015)

This is a post that I wrote in my personal journal. I haven't written in it in over a year, I found that using this blog is enough of some sort of output for me. To set the scene, a little over a year ago I hadn't actually shot any fashion photography - I mean with a completely unknown model, not with friends. I'm from a small town, which meant it was difficult for me to find models and that was my excuse.

Two steps forward, one step back (10.02.2014)

Every time I try to move forward, there's the realisation that I'm not moving. I've learnt as much of the theory side of photography, of fashion photography, of lighting, and composition. I've spent a bloody year and a half (on and off) trying to organise a shoot in London. The idea's strong in my head, no models. Models, but no idea. I'll try my hardest this year. To incorporate fashion into my college project. So far 'I'm the fashion photographer who hasn't shot any fashion'. Well, that's not entirely true, I shot Oli and Rishan, but that was all in a confined, confident and comfortable place. I need to grow a pair and shoot outside of Luton.

I've got no clue what I'm going to do. I'm good at photography, but I need to be great at one genre of photography. I kept pushing the decision off and off, but after visiting LCC, I realised that I'm well behind. People know what the fuck they're doing but not me. Like an unexposed roll of film approaching its expiry date. I just need to push the shutter and enjoy the ride.

The photoshoot that took one and a half years to plan.

I've got a wardrobe artist/model; now I just need a concept. Flowers are in at the moment, so floral prints and jeans? Floral blouse in rainy/snowy weather? Bad idea.

Okay location, Convent Garden area, Soho Garden, Victoria Embankment Gardens? Somewhere with interesting architecture. Street Fashion

Technical Stuff

Well it's for a Photography project, what cameras to take...
D90 + Polaroid is the safest bet
Candid style narrative. 20 Final shots - 100 + overall
Budget: travelcard - £20, food/drink £20 = £40.

Okay so you get the gist of how I was feeling at the time. I don't think I'll post my after shoot thoughts, mostly because it was just me going OH MY GOD! I FINALLY SHOT SOMEONE!

I would say I've improved a good bit since that journal entry, albeit not as much as I had hoped. I hope to shoot some more this summer, and to follow my Five Year Plans, to get published next year. I might post more of these personal entries if they're suitable.

 The shoot with Emma in which the journal entry was leading up to.

A great end to a wonderful year (22.06.2015)

A great end to a wonderful year (22.06.2015)

So I've finished my first year at university. To be honest, I wasn't expecting it to be that great - but it turned out to be really fun! I learnt a ton about technical stuff like studio lighting, and business-y things, and met lots of wonderful and unique people.

 

From one of my last uni projects this year. 

Most of the memories I made this year ended up on my wall. Or should I say my old wall, because I no longer live there. I had a big wall(s) filled with Polaroids with friends and photoshoots.

Lovely Polaroids from my last few shoots

It's been a brilliant year, a huge thank you to everyone I've met and have helped me along the way. I hope 2nd year of uni will be equally as enjoyable.