For this image, it's a medium close up portrait shot of my model on location. She is framed in the higher rule of thirds, with her eye line having direct address to the reader. Her body posture suggests a professional and serious look, with the her hand positioned on her hip to reinforce this. This image would be suitable to use on a front cover page or a double page spread, as it represents the models persona to be dark, serious and hidden - which should 'intrigue' the reader.
This image was taken in a studio, with a three point lighting set up and white screen. It is shot as a medium close up portrait photograph - which would be suitable for a front page or double page spread.The model at the back is framed higher than the other two, suggesting her status in the band. The two models at the front are framed lower, with their hands trying to 'grab the camera'. This suggests the image presents a 'in your face' and that the photo has been take directly for the reader.
This image is similar to the one above, as it is a medium close up portrait shot, which is also shot in a studio with a three point lighting set up. Once again, the model at the back is framed higher than the other two models, reinforcing her status and 'front female' role. To differentiate this photo from the one above, the models were asked to pull a different facial expression which portrays a different image about the image the models are trying to represent.
This image is framede landscape, once again in a studio with a three point lighting set up. One again, the lead singer is positioned centre, with a higher eye line than the other two members. The other two members are leaning in towards the front female, to reinforce dominant ideologies of traditional female front women roles to be the most popular and in the limelight more.
Photography analysisFrom my research, I have managed to analysis a series of different photographs of bands that are of my chosen genre. From this, I am able to strategically choose which type of shots are popular and conform to the conventions of my genre, and which reinforce stereotypes which are often represented in magazines such as Kerrang and Rocksound.
The powerpoint above provides images of a range of bands, with different amount of members, male and females and different positioning which reinforce certain stereotypes. From my analysis, I have found that many photographs of bands which contain lead female singers, position her in the center and in front of every other member.This represents that she is dominant over the other male members and introduces matriarchal stereotypes. Although, usually her eye line is below the rule of thirds and below those of her fellow band members, which challenges these ideologies. This could suggest she is less dominant or possible portrayed rather as a sexual icon to an young male audience.
The genre of music I am going to make it indie/rock, similar to rock magazines such as Kerrang! and Rocksound. I have decided I wanted to do this genre of music as it is what interests me the most, I feel would be the most engaging, interesting and flexible genre of music magazine to create.
Kerrang! Magazine The readers profile details are below, which highlight their target audiences prefrences, interests and guides them on how to satisfy them in production. The target audience can be cut up into segments, such as: Age Gender Sexual Orientation Nationality Ethnicity Where they live Education Occupation Socioeconmic status Religion and Tribes. What products their audience also buy is important, for advertising strategies and to identify their main interests.
From this profile, I have found the median age of Kerrang!'s target audience to be 19 years of age, with a slightly higher proportion of the audience being male. Therefore, it would be apporpiate to use mainly young male models for my photography and front page image, as many male readers of this age would aspire to be like them. Although there is a less proportionate of a female audience, it will be important to still feature at least one female artist, as a representation of a sexual image towards male readers, along with satisfying female readers by featuring role models and artists they aspire to be like. This will also ensure my magazine includes a range of different models, rather than focusing on just the one artists/band. Kerrang! often apply this strategy to their photography, when featuring female artists or singers, the positioning of them is crucial in representing them as a sexual image towards males. Likewise, this strategy can be used vise versa, by using a handsome, masculine image of a lead male as a sex icon towards female readers.
Most readers use their income or money on: - Music - on average purchasing around 31 albums a year - Gig tickets, - Active consumers of clothing, mainly brands which favourite their age range and style 'tribe', - Gaming and the latest technologies eg. the iPod - in which their passionate side for music is consumed, - 58% say appearance is the most important factor.
Rocksound Magazine
Unlike Kerrang!, Rocksound tends to have a much older target age, of around 30. In socioeconomic terms, it's audience tend to be between upper middle class down to skilled working class. This represents that Rocksound's audience are mainly succeeders, reformers and aspirers. In order for the magazine to match the needs of it's target audience, Rocksound's layout, structure and photography are presented to the highest quality, in which, photography wise, many can aspire to be like, which influences them to purchase the magazine. This is also supported by the higher price of the magazine, around £4.90 compared to the lower price of Kerrang! magazine (£2.20).
Above I have created my own photographic reader profile for my target audience, with what I intend to represent the interests and consumer choices of my readers. It contains a range of different bands and artists that indulge in the rock/independant genre, latest technology like the iPod, iPhone and Blackberry, TV Drama's with a target age of my own target audience which conform to representing teenage life, independant clothing companies, social networking sites, and popular high street shops in which my target audience tend to shop at.
My Target Audience
From my research, I have been able to identify some key features of my intended target audience, which will affect the way in which I structure and produce my magazine.
Age - Between 16-30
Gender - A larger proportion being male, but around 60:40 - This will effect my photography and how I represent stereotypes in my magazine
Hobbies and Interests : Mainly music - buying gig tickets, attending concerts, festivals, travelling (seeing the world around them), the internet - social networking sites (Such as: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Tumblr, YouTube), clothes and fashion, the latest technology - Blackberry, iPhone, iPod, Laptops
Media Influences : many media influences such as web 2.0, social networking sites, TV dramas aimed at a young target audience (Skins, the Inbetweeners, Misfits) - which create stereotypes of this age which many intend to imitate, newspapers - highlighting young people to be deviant - rebellion
Many have part time jobs to support excessive needs to keep up with the recent trends - to fit in, which funds their social activities.
Focus Group
For my focus group I used members of my own target audience along with RockSound's, so that they would give a valid and critical opinion on the magazines layout, colours, photography and structure. This feedback is helpful for me when creating my own magazine, as I can design exactly to how they have judged and what they like about RockSound. I have managed to identify that it is important to have a 'house style' colour pallet, which are recognisable to frequent readers and my main audience. This sustains a recognisable design to the magazine whilst on the shelf against other music magazines. Also, like both Kerrang! and RockSound, the photography on the front page is important, and usually contains a image of a featuring band, rather than just one artists. Usually, traditional front man/woman roles apply, by framing them higher and further forward in the frame to maintain their position and popularity with the audience. I have decided I will apply this to my magazine.
For my textual analysis, I have chosen to research two magazines from the rock/indie genre, Kerrang! and Rocksound. By doing this, I have analysed and compared a front cover and the contents page of both, regarding the photography, layout, colours, and content.
