A collection of photographs which i can use for my front page

I want to express the artists image through the photograph, therefore i presented myself as an artist with a strong image. These are some photographs which i feel would be appropriate for the front cover:

I feel this would be appropriate to be displayed on the front cover of my music magazine. Reasons for this is the idea of the angle being eye level to the audience, this creates the feeling of there being no status division between the audience and the artist which does make the story or interview inside the magazine, seem a lot more reliable and as if the artist is telling the audience the story personally.

I like the idea of direct mode of address as it is inviting towards the audience, eye catching and also intriguing. It draws the audience into the story and eye contact is made with the artist which results in the audience purchasing the magazine.

The white background i felt would fit perfectly, as it's strongly juxtaposed. The connotations of the colour white, reflect purity, tranquil surroundings and is also very calming. However, this seems juxtaposed against the artists image.

The artists image I've chose to dress with quite a retro and vintage feel. I feel this reflects the genre of Electro pop and techno music, with artists such as Florence And The Machine, Bloc Party, Lady Gaga and Little Boots seem to dress bizarre, and this reflects their bizarre interpretation on music. I feel it's juxtaposed as the colour white is supposed to be calming, the idea of his clothing represents party, and loud music: certainly the opposite of what white represents.

The like the idea of the artist with his hand being in his hair. It reinstates the idea of his image being party, alcohol and music driven as it connotates the idea of being tired, and being in a daze which reflects the idea of the artists being out late the night before.

The only problem with this photograph is the reflection from the flash in the spectacle lenses, they are very distinctive as these could result in being iconic for the artist.

This is another photograph which i could use for my front page.

This has the similar characteristic as my other photograph, including the reflection on the spectacles.

However, this would be a good photograph to use as my main focus point on my front cover, as it represents the artist the same way as the first photograph did. I like the idea of his hand being on his head, this suggest he is tired and the idea of him being dressed up, suggest the idea he is going out partying, once again.

I like the direct mode of address, this intrigues the audience and also connects the audience with the magazine straight away.

The low angle i feel is a positive effect as, like the Madonna photo shoot for Rolling Stone magazine, it creates a sort of arrogance aura around this artist. However, i feel by the situation of him looking hungover and tired makes the camera have a more hand held camera effect which does create a story thus adds reality to the photograph.

The problems with this photograph, is the images in the background: the door, and the door frame. These are both pointless within this photograph and take the focus off the main focus point, which is the artist. The door and the door frame, don't have anything to do with the photo therefore are pointless, as it would be different if the artist was connected with the items in the background.

These are the best two photos which i took, which are suitable for the front cover, as they all include the characteristics which in my planning, i wanted to include.
The direct mode of address is a big action which i wanted to include within my front page photograph, the whiteness which juxtaposes with his image and creates an interesting story within the photograph.
The idea of his image is represented correctly with they eye wear he is wearing along with the vintage/ retro clothing suggesting his genre of music. I feel these photographs are strong and really fit the idea of my magazine.

Information on my Magazine production.

I want my name for my magazine to be iconic, remember able and hopefully reflect the genre in which my magazine will promote.

Ultimately, I'd like my magazine to promote every type of legendary music, whether it be Pop, Rock, Classical or even Folk: it has to promote artists of a high quality. Bands or artists which could reflect this are:

Blondie, Britney Spears, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Razorlight, Bloc Party, Lady Ga Ga, Johnny Cash, Seasick Steve.

This list proves it doesn't necessarily have to include the same genres, just quality artists who have made a stamp on the music industry.



My main focus point, will include an image of the artist which will be featured in the double page spread along with an interview. I want my 'artist' to have a strong individual image which will intrigue the audience as well as have an outrageous manor which, i could pull quote and place it on the front cover.

The artist will be personally be me, thus the name of the artist being 'Jonny Kelly' and his genre of music will be pop-indie-techno, which i believe his outfit will reflect this. I was originally going to dress as neutral as possible for the photo shoot, just like a lot of the NME and Rolling Stone photos where like, however i felt i could create mine slightly more individual, by showing their personal image in a full body shot. Rolling Stone and NME feature artists on the front of their cover, however only seem to feature their face where as i feel it's just as important to feature their full body to really show in detail what their image is, as this usually reflects their genre of music which they dwell in.



On my front cover, i would like mention of other artists including information either about:

Gigs/Tours, CD releases, Artists of 2009 and new music information, Music DVD and film information and possibly a plug/ competition giving away a signed guitar.

These are possible items which can be included on my front page, however i probably won't use all of them as i don't want it to look too crowded on the page and it also wouldn't need all of that extra plugs and lures on the page.

The masthead will be placed at the top of the page and will be the largest text on the page followed by the tag line underneath, depending on what the masthead will be. If the masthead is shortened to a few letters, the tag line will most likely be the full name (the un-shortened version) of my masthead.

Inspiration From Another Magazine: NME Music Magazine

This is a second magazine called NME Music Magazine in which i received a lot of inspiration from for my music front cover to look like:

This is a front cover of NME which feature My Chemical Romance, who create music which fits into the genre of rock.

The photograph of the band seems to be more creative directed, and glamourized then Rolling Stone magazine usually represents their artists as. The lighting of the photograph is an element which does stand out the most as the lighting makes the audience create a feel for the band. The lighting on the main focus point of the image which will obviously be the lead singer: his face is alot more shadowed then his band mates, this automatically makes their band seem to perform the darker music which connotates to the genre of Rock. The lighting could also highlight how the band have a 'dark side' which again connotate the genre of rock. The contrast is strong within the lead singers hair and the darkness between his clothes and shadowing around his eyes, this makes the audience establish how this band are artistic thus the idea of them being interested and influenced by the idea of self expressionism: the genre which this band specialise in, is then reinstated by the idea of self expressionism.

The idea of Kerrang and Rolling Stone respecting their self expressionism creates the idea of this interview being down to earth and seem more focused on their music rather then a certain image a magazine is creating for the band, in order for the magazine to sell.

The angle is all eye level, which again creates this connection between the artist and the audience and also creates the interview seem like an exclusive tell all interview as there is no status division between the two.

This is another cover from NME magazine featuring all time musical legend, Morrissey.

The first thing noticeable is the angle of the photograph, is once again eye level with the audience. This creates the idea of there being no status division between the two, thus giving this interview a world exclusive feel.

He's displaying direct mode of address which is inviting for the audience. He's not healivy glamorized within this photograph which reflects the idea of this artists being naked and telling 'the naked truth' within this interview or story. His hair and his coat are both neutral toned, which again create a connection between the artist and the audience.

The lighting is only on his face which then shadow the other half, this creates mystery surrounding this artist which ultimately intrigue the audience into purchasing the magazine.

In terms of mise-en-scene within this photograph, there are sky scraper buildings which are again neutral toned within this photograph, however the sky scrapers are the same size as him, if he's not taller. This could be seen as slight arrogance in the photograph however, it is also seen as he's top of the world in the music industry, and to get an interview with him in this magazine in revolutionary: this will intrigue the audience to purchase this magazine.

His face seems hard and serious, which could reflect his seriousness for music as well as reflecting the idea that trying to get an interview with this man is difficult.

This is another NME magazine Christmas issue, front cover featuring popular band Arctic Monkeys.

As it's a special Christmas issue, the band have been dressed up in elf like costume which connotate the festive season: Christmas!

The angle is very low in this photograph, creating a dominance effect from the musical band. This could possibly be because of the idea that they're promoting there newest album and the focus to get the Christmas number one is fixating and is almost as important as the presidential campaign, it's important to British culture.

Down lighting has been used to increase dominance for the band as well as creates some mystery as down lighting creates shadowing around ones eye area.

The lead singer is once again is the most dominant in the photograph as he's placed in front of the rest of the band and he is the only band member who you can see all of his body within this shot.

This is again, another cover of NME magazine featuring The Killers who are again, a global class band. In this photograph only his head is visible and he is displaying distinctive features such as eye wear and facial hair which could be iconic for the band themselves.

Although there is only one man present in this picture the name which is underneath is in plural terminology: 'The Killers' therefore you know he's representing the rest of the band, not just himself.

The direct mode of address is inviting towards the audience and engages them within the story and the artist. The look he is giving the audience is he's looking up, through his glasses: this could give the audience an idea of intimidation, this may connotate negative emotions, however with shadowing surrounding his other body parts it individualises the audience, it's as if he's staring intimidatingly at you personally.

The darkness and black colours, i feel represent the idea of an interrogation through the police: and that is what an interview practically is, an interrogation. This can give the idea of this interview being a 'tell all' interview, how he is not aloud to lie or to not answer questions.

All of these NME magazine front covers have their own personal conventions. Some of them being more glamorized photo shoots how ever not so much you can't identify the artist. All of the artists featured are either world class artists, or national iconic artists. They all have their personal image and the magazine, like rolling stone, respects their image and allows them to be photographed as themselves.

The photograph are usually neutral toned, which is again, like the Rolling Stone magazine however some issues may differ, to reflect what is going on through culture, or society at the moment.

I really like the outrage which NME can create, with photo shoots like the naked Beth Ditto reflect the idea which they are out to shock and just promote the newest, and the best music. It seems NME magazine, can be more British based around music, where as Rolling Stone would only feature world class artists as they may believe if no one knows about an artist who are featured on their front cover... it won't sell.

My main inspiration: Rolling Stone Magazine

After analysing different magazine front covers, and how the image of the band of CD covers represent the artist i have decided on the genre of music which i would like to display on my splash and within my double page spread.

I have decided to focus on popular and breakthrough music, i want my magazine to connotate the idea of always printing the newest breakthrough artists of present time, if not attempting to recognise the next big thing within the future.

The main magazine which inspires my thoughts is Rolling Stone Magazine, i love the idea of the publishers featuring artists who are world class quality, rather then just one genre: it's not as limiting. They seem to feature artists who represent themselves, rather then the magazine representing the artist in a certain light in order for the magazine to sell.

In the magazine cover to the left: on the front page is Amy Winehouse. Amy has made the be hive hairstyle iconic within the music industry and her unusual vocal abilty was definatley a break through in the music industry and no ones really heard a voice like hers within present times. Her image seems under her control rather then the magazine styling her in clothes which she wouldn't normally wear. Her make up is also iconic of the singer and this reinstates the idea of her in control over what to wear for this photograph. The clothes she is wearing are very neutral and basic, there are no designer names visible and i feel this is because the magazine wants to focus more on her music, which is what the magazine was created for.


This is another example of the cover from Rolling Stone Magazine, in which is showing a totallyy different genre to the other magazine splash. This just states the contrast between both artists, however this also reinstates the idea of Rolling Stone magazine only printing artists on their front cover, who are world class: never mind the genre differences.


Again the photograph doesn't seem glamorized in any way, it's a plain and simple photograph which again, make it seem the magazine is focusing more on the music side rather then artists life as gossip magazines would. The clothes she is dressed in are neutral toned and don't include any designer names, or include gold which represents the idea of rich. It seems her top is brought up to show her very toned and muscly abdomen, i feel this is reassuring to the audience, as the story may not include much about her private life, but as she did suffer a very public breakdown over the last two years, it seems to show the audience she is doing well and she is once again fit and healthy. Her hair in the photograph doesn't look all done up and smart, in fact it looks a little messy and unkempt, however it seems this fits in with the idea of a very neutral toned photograph, and instead focuses on her natural beauty rather then glamorized beauty.


This is a classic magazine front cover from Rolling Stone magazine. This focuses on Madonna who is an artist in the pop genre. In this photograph, again it's very neutral as she does seem naked in the photograph, perhaps this is a technique for the interview to seem 'the naked truth' which intrigues the audience. She seems to have very little make up on her skin which again reinstates the idea of her being naked in the shoot, apart from her bright red lipstick which once again seems to be designed by her to wear, rather then a stylist.
It seems Rolling Stone has always had the same idea of how they want to represent their artist which are featured on the front page of their magazine, and this is very neutral and to the audience: the artist has to seem neutral and natural almost.
The angle on this photograph seems more of a low angle then the other photographs in the more present date of Rolling Stone magazine front covers, i feel she was personally trying to create an image for herself as she was revolutionary in the music industry and at the peak of her success why not? The idea of this low angle creates this arrogance surround her, however if she's too good for other normal interviews, this one must be an amazing interview. It's manipulating the audiences emotions to make them intrigued within the magazine as well as be intrigued within her as an artist.


This is another Rolling Stone Cover featuring an all male rock band. One again, the photograph is not glamorized in any way, the clothes don't seem to be designer and the brand of the clothes are not being flaunted in anyway.

There is one topless band member within the photograph and he doesn't seem to be that toned or muscly as other artists are in the music industry, i feel is to represent the stereotype of them simply not caring what they look like as they feel the importance is in face self expressionism and their ultimate passion is music rather then other artists may be criticised for their passion seems to be more about image and how they're represented. Their image seems the same idea as the Kerrang magazine front cover so their image does seem how they genuinely dress and express themselves: this is almost proof with the idea of the magazine stylists not contradicting what the artists can wear and can't wear. It's also proving the idea of Rolling Stone magazine wanting the band to be themselves in the photograph and the fact of the magazine not changing their image to sell their magazine.

The angle again is eye level with the camera which connects with the audience and doesn't create a status division between the two.

The band seem to be represented equally apart from the topless band member, however even so he's still only showing as much of his body as the other band members are: but he is more in front. Perhaps it reflects the idea of his personal life being in the spotlight more then his band mates are, he may feel the need to talk more in his interview to set the record straight about lies or stories which are in the spotlight.



This is another cover of Rolling Stone featuring Justin Timberlake who's music fits in with the R'n'B and Pop genre.
His photograph is very neutral, just a plain t-shirt and blue jeans. His T-shirt is wet, which when clothes are wet they cling on to the wearers body, which is exactly what is going on in this photograph, it just so happens he has to have a well toned and muscly body which will attract the female and some male audience just for how he looks. He's carrying a guitar, which is a musical instrument: this reflects the idea of the artists featured on Rolling Stone magazine, has to have a passion for music and this musician does.
The camera is eye level which assures the audience there isn't a status division between the artist and the audience which creates a connection between the both.
This photograph is again not glamorized in anyway, there is not visible make up on the artist and also his hair has simply just been shaved.
The lighting is just natural normal light, there are no low lighting used it's just basic natural light used in the shot.

The Rolling Stone magazine, simply has the same characteristics for their front cover. There always seems to be an artist or a band who have been/ or are revolutionary in the music industry. The genre isn't limited as they basically feature any world class artist or breakthrough artist in the industry. I like the way the magazine creates the idea of the fact there is no status division between the audience and the artist as well as the idea all of the artists featured, the story is focused on the music rather then the artists private life which would lower the class and their ideology of the magazine.