Representation & Stereotypes

   This cover of NME supports Mulveys theory that women, in media, are objectified for 'the male gaze'. The mise-en-scene gives evidence to support this as the main image contains a young female artist, Lily Allen, wearing a shirt with a low cut neck. This supports Mulveys theory as her attire could be seen as revealing as it shows skin unnecessarily. This, with the connotations of the use of red being masculinity, implies that the magazine is pandering towards a primarily heterosexual male audience.
   The lexis of the cover also somewhat disrupts Mulveys theory as its states "Lily Allen takes on the world" which implies a sense of masculinity and dominance over a given situation that is not stereotypically linked to the female gender.
   In relation to my own music magazine cover, contents page, and double page spread, I may use and image that disrupts this theory as it could be seen as more daring and interesting.

     This cover of Rock Sound magazine supports Hedbridges theory of youth consisting of two main factors, "youth as fun" and "youth as trouble,". The cover supports this as it clearly shows at least one of sides of this theory. Those on the cover of this magazine fit the mise-en-scene stereotype for youth as they are covered in tattoos, wear snap-back caps, and t-shirts with bold styles and patterns, as well as having very generic hair styles for 'rebellious youth'. As they fit conventions for a rebellious group they fit one side of Hedbridges theory where they represent the "youth as trouble" portion.
     From this I can learn that I may be able to represent this theory in a way that could positively resonate with a younger audience in a way that would encourage viewership.

Audience Research & Profile

Magazine producers use multiple methods to identify their target audience. One of these methods is to isolate what types or groups of people would be interested in their product. This can be done through using common stereotypes to assume or understand what that group would enjoy or want. By pinpointing what is special about their product they can see what correlates to one or more groups in terms of interest. Important features of an audience that a company would have to consider are:

• Age
• Gender
• Class
• Location
• Income
• Interests
• Religion

There are two main ways of identifying a target audience and that is through the analysis of demographics and psychographics. Demographics are more common and show factual data and information such as age, gender, and location. Psychographics are very different and instead show an audiences personality, attributes, interests, and lifestyle.

As the genre of my product will be rock I have decided to analyse audience profiles of the average reader of a rock magazine. The average profile publishers state their audience fits is:

• Men
• 16-30 years old
• Straight
• White
• Extrovert
• Working Class

From this information I can infer that my audience would be under middle-age, male, open to daring design, and looking for something affordable. I can use this information for when I create my product as it will allow me to shape my magazine to better fit, attract, and entertain a more specific audience rather than blindly hoping to catch someones attention. The psychographics of an audience are slightly harder to pin down and identify than demographics. There are multiple ways of classifying an audiences psychographics, the Young & Rubican method categorises people into 7 sets:

• The Aspirer
• The Explorer
• The Reformer
• The Mainstream
• The Struggler
• The Resigned
• The Succeeder

Each of these sets has its own defining features based on how they would typically act in life and allows for easy classification of an audience to find out what type of product they would be interested in. For instance, 'The Reformer' is the type of person that values their own opinion over being told what to do, fairly anti-materialistic, and seen as intellectual. From this it can be inferred that someone fitting this group would be only interested in what they find useful or interesting and will not simply follow others and be corralled by the newest and shiniest. Those interested that fit the above profile are the typical audience for the rock genre therefore are most likely going to be the audience for my product. This means that 'The Explorer' could potentially be the set best fitting for my audience as they best respond to brands with instant effects and constantly seek out new thrills.

Photography Task: Composition & Framing

Moderately lit, single source behind camera
   to camera right

Casual mise-en-scene

Over-the-shoulder shot, eye-level

Outside, mid-day, high obstruction to camera
   right, low obstruction camera left

Subject has back to camera, head tilted to camera
   left
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Brightly lit, single source directly behind camera

Casual mise-en-scene

Medium close up, direct address

Outside, mid-day, high obstruction behind
   subject

Subject facing camera, back to wall, head tilted
   slightly forward
















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Dimly lit, single source ahead of camera,
   partially obstructed

Casual mise-en-scene, school rucksack

Medium close up, eye-level

Outside, mid-day, in shade

Subject posture facing away with head turned to
   face camera, hands sprawled comically.
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This exercise has taught me the importance on depth of field, rule of thirds, and lighting. In future I will most likely use what I have learned to impact my photoshoots through the proper and effective use of these three features. Depth of field and rule of thirds are both useful to help push focus of the reader onto or away from an element of the image. Proper use of lighting will allow me to accentuate certain aspects of the image, which can also help draw focus.