The Nature Magazine And NAture Magazine Audiece Profile

Previously in the week we were given a lesson in which we were told all the basics for using PhotoShop. We were then given a camera and was told to go out and take a picture which we thought would be suitable for a front cover of a Nature magazine. We were given a sample front cover of National Geographic for inspiration before we went out to take the pictures. I decided to go down to the nearest pond and woodland area, and after taking around eight pictures I was happy that I found a suitable picture which I could then use as my front cover. I eliminated the photographs which I was no longer happy with and was left with one which I was satisfied that I could work on and improve to make a good front cover out of.

Here is the picture I chose:

We were then given the opportunity of taking what we had learnt from our Photoshop lesson and putting it to use by editing our chosen photograph. After assessing this image I noticed that the colours were dull and the shadows in the water from the trees and the ripples would look more intense if the were highlighted. I thought that enhancing the contrast would accomplish this. I also adjusted the saturation to make the shadows appear darker, which further differentiated them from the rest of the water.

Once I felt that I had completed creating an impact on the shadows, I felt that colours needed to be brightened so that they stood out more. I Equalized the image which made all of the colours appear more prominent. I then noticed that the colours looked a it harsh, so I searched for a tool which I felt would give the image a glow. I found a tool in Photo Filter which was called "warming filter" I added this to my photo and the image had a pinky/red glow to it.

When choosing the text colour and font for my magazine cover I thought back example of National Geographic which we had been shown. Big bold font was used and I chose to replicate this. I thought a dark green colour for the font would fit well with the magazines woodland feel. The title was Verdana 60pt and was bold, the rest of the text was exactly the same, however was 30pt in size.

This is my finished product:

Audience Profile

When designing this magazine I had a clear audience profile in mind who became the focal factor in the decisions I made when creating the magazine cover. I referred to stereotypes when deciding on the traget market of the magazine. From this I came to assume that the audience for this magazine would be for older people rather than the youth of today, as stereotypically we know that nature and exploration is something generally linked to people aged 40 and over. This will become the basic age group I will aim my magazine at.

Basing my knowledge of stereotypes, I would also assume that a lot of my older audience would be retired. It is a common hobby for retirees to become interested in gardening and nature walks. This is why I believe that I must cater to this audience with articles, stories and images which would attract this audience type. The retired are also known to have a lot of time on their hands. They are often left feeling less complacent as their once busy lives have now become emptier, with a lot of free time. This is where other hobbies come in, and this is why my magazine will succeed.

My target market who will buy my magazine will expect specific aspects to be included. They will expect a magzine which caters itself to nature including advice and ideas. The magazine will offer guidance to gardening.

My front cover uses a very beautiful image of a lake which has been edited to bring out all different colours and contrast them against eachother to create a very pretty but life like image. This will attract my target market as it will reflect the inside of the magazine. My audience will be attracted to this as they are looking for a magazine which fulfills their needs. The front cover is very simplistic and this reflects the relaxed atmosphere I tried to create to be conducive to nature and the outdoors. This will also attract my target market as this will become familiar to them. People who enjoy nature, often enjoy the "peace and quiet" element which comes with it. This is the look I wanted to portray in my magazine so as to grab the intended audience.