How does your media product present particular social groups?
The use of media and the way particular social groups are portrayed is an extremely important aspect especially within the magazine industry and within the magazine industry, different genres used present social groups in many different ways.
After lots of research, I choose the images above as inspiration for my picture. This was because they were all similar in facial expression and gestures. However, the main reason that i choose the above front covers was because the model on the front was female and obviously, females are presented a lot differently to how males are presented, especially in magazines.
All photos are MEDIUM LONG SHOT. This usually includes the waist, upwards and obviously a PORTRAIT picture.
Their facial expression all seems to be the same. Through much research, it was aparent that it is unusual to have the model's direction of gaze anywhere else but looking straight at the camera. This is because it captures the target audience whilst also having a clear picture. The rest of the facial expression always seems to be an extremely natural yet highly posed position. From the three magazines I have picked, they all have similar, relaxed mouths. It is unusual to have the model smiling on the front cover. The facial expressions alone often present the model/artist to be 'stuck up' because it is certainly never a 'welcoming' look. This may come across as intimdating. The posture of all pictures I have chosen has a certain similarity too. The artists/models are all standing up, in a non-slouched position to maintain dominance and authority.
Music magazines that are within either the rock, indie, pop or R&B/rap genre; usually aim to target an audience of teenagers and young adults, usually between 16-25 years old. Therefore they are aiming to have a model on the front that the target audience may look up to or inspire. The main picture on the front page can then become very important. The model must look confident but not cocky otherwise it may not apeal to the audience. The models must look 'sexy' in order to capture the audience. This is why the pictures are edited so heavily. The female models must look gorgeous in order to capture the male audience who may wish to reject the magazine as their is a female model on the cover as aposed to a male role model they may aspire too and this is the exact same for female audience. Celebrities on the cover have to always be portrayed as perfect and flawless and I feel that this is done with great success.
In terms of costume. They all vary. As you can see, the Rolling Stone and Q have a similar theme of 'as little clothes as possible' this makes the female models look 'sexy' and 'confident' acting as role models for teenagers. This is similar throughout all Q and Rolling Stone magazine front covers containing a female model on the front. This particular NME front cover however, differs, because there is barely any flesh showing at all. Giving that particular artist a more secretive and conserved look to her. Another common aspect to models on front covers is the way their hair is shown. It is usually down (however not always). Having the model's hair down however, shapes their face so that it stands out more. In these examples of Q and Rolling Stone, the model's hair is very 'modelled'. In Rolling Stone, a 'windsweapt' look has been given to the model and in Q, the model has very big, styled hair. This is different to the way the model on my front cover has a very natural styled hair but this is also the same as this example of NME.
Lighting remains similar in all front cover photos. The model is displayed in the best light that makes their skin look flawless and also giving them a tan. The models are often made to look as if they have a spotlight that is making them glow which is possibly the case whilst the shoot was taking place. However the lighting is edited using the curves tool to display the model in their best possible light, once again showing domination and confidence.
No comments:
Post a Comment