LOCATIONS

Locations play a big part in photo shoots, as they set the scene for the images. They can say a lot about the type of image without even looking at the model. The location of a Hip Hop/ RnB music photo shoot is crucial as the setting needs to be appropriate in addition to relating to the genre. For example it would not make sense for a shoot to be help at a farm. As this has no connection to the music in any way.

Alicia Keys is an RnB singer, the location of this photo shoot is perfect as it ties in everything that this type of music is about. The setting is the beach which is relaxing, and calm; which is what rhythm and blues stand for. The music which Keys produces is meant to be just that, the piano is there as it is a piece of music that the artist performs with. This is also iconography of RnB, as its included in many of RnB songs. The sky is clear, which suggests the ‘worriless’ feeling, that there is ‘not a care in the world’ when listening to this music. The direct address allows readers to share this experience with Keys, and the smile on the artists face portrays that she is genuinely happy and perhaps listening to her music may make the readers feel the same. The outfit which Keys is wearing shows her to look similar to a mermaid. Mermaids are seen as sexual objects which Alicia Keys can be referred to. The fact that she is close to the sea makes the reference to a mermaid much more practical.

If this photo shoot was set in a car park, it would not have the same effect as it does at the beach. The atmosphere would be have been dark and gritty whereas here it is portrayed as calm and mellow. Much like the music genre.

This picture is once again effective due to the background. The Weeknd is in the centre of this image showing him to be the main focus. However the setting is in a blurred out city which is his hometown Toronto. The fact that it is blurred out can portray that he may feel it is in fact him against the city. That he feels alone within such a big city. This is emphasized through his music. The direct address from The Weeknd also allows the audience to connect on a closer much more personal level, which his music is also like. He likes to get personal when singing, giving the audience an insight into his life. The location fits in perfectly here, because what better way to give an insight into your life then show your audience where you are from.

This effect would not have been complete if the background was a plain colour. That would have blocked out the rest of the world, discarding the city that gave us The Weeknd. Just one location can tell you a story that even the artist can not.

My LocationThis is my chosen location where my Hip Hop/RnB artist will feature. The grittiness of the setting can relate back to the urban roots of the artist. The fact that it is outside shows that the artist is part of the world, and she is not afraid to show, it can also relate to her personality that she is real inside and out. The setting looks like an alley way where many people from the Hip Hop culture are seen. The chosen location gives off the impression that the artist featured is different and not afraid of dirt which may then be portrayed within her music. The background does not have a lot going on, meaning the head focus will be all on the artist.The patchy wall portrays the ‘not finished’ look, which may be how the new artist may feel about her image or even personality. The colour is also off white, perhaps this can again be related back to the artist, that she is not perfect and knows it much like the location.