Music Magazine Model Research

Costume:The model is wearing a simple black button up shirt with rose detailing on the right shoulder. This is to not draw much attention away from the main content of the front cover and also shows a subversion of masculinity. This is counterpart to the non-mainstream music that the magazine showcase.Props:A vinyl record is held in his right hand and positioned near the models face. This is to link to the headline ‘The Record That Changed My life.’ Which is a play on words as we don’t commonly use vinyl records anymore.Position:The models arms are folded and gives a masculine impression, conforming to masculine stereotypes. The model is looking directly at the camera, breaking the fourth wall, in order to build a relationship between the reader and the subject.Lighting:The lighting is most likely in front/above the model and possibly at a 45 degree angle so the model is clearly lit up. This creates a slight shadow on the left side of his neck.Framing:The model takes up the middle third of the page, with most of the text on the page slightly or entirely layered over him. Although his head overlaps the masthead so not to risk covering any of his face and making him unrecognisable.

Costume:The model is wearing a blue and white patterned dress with a black leather jacket. This compliments her dark eye make-up and dark hair. The dark costume also ties in with the shadowing on the left of the page which I will go on to explain.Props:The model is not using any props so the audiences sole focus is her.Position:The model is leant against a dark, brick wall to symbolize the history of classical music and how far it dates back. This also compliments her dark eyes and jacket. Her skin is completely covered and her hands are pulling the jacket closed towards her, reinforcing the reserved and conservative stereotype of people interested in classical music.Lighting:The light is coming from the left side (right side of her face) and most probably also from above as there is shadowing under her shin and jaw. There is a dim spotlight on her so she stays the main focus, this creates shadowing on the left hand side to compliment her dark features.Framing:The model is to the left of the page and a few on the cover lines slightly overlap.

Costume:The model is wearing purple clothing which accentuates her purple nail polish. This ties in with the purple eye make-up she is wearing. In hindsight, the costume is kept minimal with a pop of colour to fit the overall minimal house style.Props:The model is not using any props in this shot so not to draw the audiences attention away from the main focus.Position:The model is looking directly at the camera to connect with her fan base and create a relationship between reader and subject. This makes the feature more personal and emotional. The model’s hair is being swept away from her face using wind which works well for creating a dramatic effect – this gives readers the idea that there is shocking material in the magazine.Lighting:The model’s face is completely lit using indoor lighting and there is no shadowing at all on or around her.Framing:This image is a close up shot of the model’s shoulders upwards. The main focus here is her face which is in the middle third – however her body and the picture in the whole is to the right of the page.

Conclusions and conventions I have drawn from research on magazine models that I will be using in my production of a new music magazine:

• The main image of the artist is not always centered but can be placed on either side of the page depending on the text format.

• The model is usually overlapped by a headline or cover line to be able to fit onto the page, but their head commonly sits slightly on top of anything around it so not to cover the model’s face.

• The image of the model is most commonly has a plain and simple background that either compliments them or is completely blank to not create distraction.

• The model’s clothing and props usually entail what is to come in the following pages and may give hints.

• The way the model is styled using make-up, hair techniques, costumes and accessories commonly fit the house style of the whole magazine.