Music Magazine Analysis: Contents Page #4

Contents Page Analysis #4

This contents page is taken from one of Vibe’s magazines. It features a full page image of the extremely well recognised artist, Eminem. Putting a well known artist within the magazine will draw the attention of the hip hop/rap audience and will entice them to red more of the magazine. This page commands the reader’s attention due to the way the artist dominates the page and creates a strong presence with his controlling stance. His intense expression and folded hands shows his serious and profound involvement with the hip hop/rap society. I particularly like the way that the artist doesn’t have to do a complex pose to grab the reader’s attention and show his individuality and dominance on the page. 
The positioning of the model is an important value which I will carefully consider when carrying out my photography. The style of positioning I decide on will depend on the side of this genre I want to convey.

The harsh shadow partially covering his face suggests the representation of the dark side of his music style which entices the reader to look further into the magazine. 
Lighting is a significant aspect of photography which I will consider in depth when photographing my model. I’ll have to take into account the quantity of light and shadow I want in my photos depending on what side of this genre I’d like to convey, in which more shadows will convey a darker side and more light will present a more open and vibrant image of the genre.

The stylist of this artist has carefully considered what will make Eminem stand out substantially. Therefore, dark yet sleek and formal clothing has been used which displays his daring attitude in which he defies the stereotypical appearance of a rapper. The darkness of the overall image creates a striking contrast with Eminem’s fair skin; this makes him stand out significantly and perhaps opens up the style of music to a wider community due to the fact that his specified genre of music originates from the African-American society. 
I will definitely use methods of mise-en-scène to allow my model to stand out in the image and form an appearance which may in ways meet the stereotypical vision connected to this genre, but may subvert it in ways.

The text on the page is located off-centre to the right of the page. It is laid out in a simplistic list form which allows the reader to see all the information neatly in one place where it won’t overshadow the image. Evidently, due to a dark background, the text is a contrasting white. The designer has used hints of orange on sections of text to help make them differentiate from any other wording on the page; this has been used to create a stylized effect and gives the reader a method of navigation of the information on the page. 
I will employ the method of using colour to help the reader locate information on the page. I will definitely make sure the wording on the page is a contrasting colour to the background and that it is positioned so that it won’t cover any imagery which may be important.

The text mainly consists of a sans-serif font which adds to the simplicity of the wording, it provides the reader with and uncomplicated and accessible text layout. Vibe has also included a small description below each content, providing a small amount of information about the page to gain the interest of potential readers. 
I believe the use of a sans-serif font of the information on the page will prove effective as it makes it uncomplicated and straightforward to read. I will definitely utilize the feature of a slight description of each content where necessary; I feel it will prove successful as it will entice the reader to look further into the magazine.

Underneath all the contents there is text which includes information about the photographer, the styling, (clothing garments and brands), and makeup of the artists. This gives the reader an insight into the assembly of the design of this page and can give credit to a branch of the people involved in producing it. 
I think the idea of including credits of different people involved in the production of the magazine is beneficial as there reader will be able to appreciate the works of different people in the process of creating the product. Therefore I will exploit this in my own magazine.