Double Page Spread Analysis

This double page spread is taken from the music magazine ‘Q’ and this is an article on Ed Sheeran. The main image takes up a whole page but it is very effective as it is not a generic studio model type of picture that you would sometimes see. It is indirect mode of address as the subject is not looking at the camera. There is no anger or violence coming from the image so this portrays Ed Sheeran a musician, quite calm and relaxing. The background of the image; a London scene leads us to image the singer being brought up in England and just living a normal life. The colour scheme is red and white, these are the usual colours for Q magazine but sometimes the red can mean anger however in this case it is not,.

On most double page spreads there is a headline and underneath a stand first, giving a slight description of what the article will be about. In this article the head is also a pull quote “I’m bringing ginger back!” I think the way that the text has been layed out for the headline is really effective as well as the word ginger being in red.  Under the article description is more text in a small font giving detail of the writer of the article and also the photographer.

In the top left hand corner on top of the main image is a caption. This is an example of anchorage as it gives the picture a meaning. There are page numbers on both pages of the double page spread and they are situated next to a small Q reminding the reader of the magazine and enabling others to know that it is from Q without having to look at the front cover.

The actual article text starts on the right hand side of the double page with a dropped cap, this is also in red keeping with the scheme of the magazine and it is clearly visible. The article is written in a small font and set out in columns, as this makes it neat and profession plus easy for the eye to follow. In the middle of the article there is usually a pull quote or feature to break up the article in this case there is a feature box summing up Ed Sheeran, this may interest readers who do not want to read a lot of text.  

Magazine Cover Analysis

This music magazine “top of the pops” is usually targeted at young teenage girls this is portrayed by its colour scheme pink and purple, which are quite girlie colours and come across as innocent. The masthead of the magazine that says “top of the pops” is in the same font that it always is, making it easily recognisable for its readers and the public. The house style colours of pink, purple and white continue throughout the magazine.

The magazine front cover includes a main image, a medium close up of popular teenage heart throb Justin Bieber, using direct mode of address and an eyelevel shot. This makes readers feel personally close with the subject and as this being Justin Bieber and the readers being teenage girls I am sure that this image made a big impact on attracting the magazine to them. The main image is slightly covering the masthead but that doesn’t matter as most people will still be able to recognise the brand. The front cover has five further secondary images which relate to features within the magazine and will attract the readers as they will recognise the celebrities. I think that this magazine has included so many images as many teenage girls may want to just look at the images rather than read a lot of text.

There is a pull quote on the front from Justin Bieber, “Wanna see my bedroom?” this uses colloquial language. Some may say this is quite an innuendo and inappropriate for the viewing of young girls as it does sound quite seductive, even though at a just a quick glance of the magazine this is the complete opposite of what you would expect as you do see it as quite a childlike magazine with the bright colours and busy front cover. What is different about this magazine cover is that they have stated some of the featured articles on the front cover and they have quoted the page number also, which is unusual as most magazines just save that for the contents page, I think that the reason why they have done this is to do with their readers, so the teens can just skip to the page that they wish to read immediately.

There is also a pug on this magazine front cover, an offer to meet JLS, this text has been done in bright yellow to make it really stand out on the page and contrast from the purple and pink. The cover also contains all the conventions that you would imagine it too such as the price, barcode and issue number in the bottom right hand corner. The text uses a lot of exclamation marks that aren’t really needed but they combine with the teenage feel of the magazine and also on the front cover of the magazine are a lot of rhetorical questions, this engages you in the magazine and makes you want to read further, encouraging you to purchase. 

Evaluation of front cover photos

I have decided to choose between the following four photos for my magazine front cover:

They are suitable images as they have good, natural lighting with a clear background. They are medium close ups and all have direct mode of address which is the look that I was aiming for, for my front cover.

Plan of magazine front cover:

Pie charts (3)

Over half of the people questioned said that comedy was their favourite genre of film. I could research upcoming comedy films.

Pie chart results (2)

Nandos came up as the most popular place to eat, half of the people questioned answered Nandos. To attract more readers I could offer a money off voucher at Nandos.

Target Audience Results (1)

Below shows the results in pie chart form from the questionnaires that I carried out:

Indie music came out top in my question "What is your favourite genre of music" To appeal to alot of people I may research into and do an article on a new indie band or an review on an indie bands new album, for example a lot of people are talking about The Arctic Monkeys new album. Topshop and Topman came across as the most popular shop to shop in so in my magazine I may offer some discount or a competition to win a voucher.

 

 

As my questionnaire showed that most people did not attend a festival this summer I intend to include as many pictures as I can from a variety of festivals to encourage people to go to one next year, I may ask people from the college to sum up a festival that they went to in a few lines.

 

Double Page Spread Conventions

The Rule Of Thirds

The Rule Of Thirds is a concept in video, film and photography where we imagine that the frame  is divided into nine sections, this creates reference points used for guidence when framing the image. The lines of interest split the image into thirds, the middle line should intersect with the subjects eyes or with a point of interest within the shot if it is not of a person. It is important that we use the rule of thirds while taking our images for our magazine front cover as the image is one of the first things that the eyes are drawn too.  

This is a medium close up of Lucy her eyes align with the middle line and she is situated in the right side of the frame.

Elliot is on the left hand side of this frame and his eyes also are in the middle.

Lizzie is in the middle of the frame exactly, this is also a medium close up the difference of this picture is though that Lizzie is not looking directly into the camera.

Magazine Conventions