Research - Codes and Conventions (MAGAZINES)

Atlas Magazine 

I like the layout used in this section of an issue of Atlas Magazine. The mise-en-scene of the larger image may be hard to achieve in my own work however I like the use of lighting coming from the top left of the image that casts a shadow from the model. Additionally, I like the stylistic approach to the layout which seems to be minimalistic and focused purely on the images.

Urban Magazine

Similarly, I like the use of layout in urban magazine especially the way they have used one large image across the entire two pages but then layered over this with various aspects of text and yet another image. this adds an element of coherence in its design.

Crack Magazine 

This cover of crack magazine is interesting in the way it uses a much darker colour background as oppose to the others I have looked at. Moreover, the use of lighting is effective here in the way it creates some shadowing and adds real contrast to the image. this is something which I believe will be relatively achievable in my own work in terms of the techniques used and general aesthetic however there may be some issue in replicating the pose of the model.

Wonderland Magazine

Wonderland magazine using lighting in a slightly more artistic and unconventional way than with what we see in other typical fashion magazines. I like the addition of the multi coloured lighting in this shot which adds to the overall style of the front cover. This is something I may consider undertaking when planning and carrying out my own work. 

PYLOT Magazine

Showcasing the best of analogue fashion photography, it has a strict no beauty retouching policy. The magazine also promises not to show material that can be seen elsewhere. This seems to go against the general codes and conventions which we see in typical magazines of this genre, by choosing not to edit their photos. This means that recreating such images will be easier and also adds an ethical non-conventional approach to publishing.

Pylot Magazine

Pylot Magazine 

The PYLOT website states "The magazine showcases fashion and fine art photography, with all content being shot on film. We believe that analogue processes allow us to slow down, which brings new weight to our choices and leaves us more open to chance. To the same degree, we never employ any beauty retouching to ‘enhance’ a model’s skin or body shape.

These approaches all feed into the PYLOT aesthetic, creating something with energy and a direction that thrives on collaboration." I like this approach to the creation of the magazine as it clearly appeals to the young target audience I am trying to capture in my own work. by not retouching the images they become easier to recreate and have more accurate representations of what it is to be fashionable in the real world. 

Human Being Magazine

Clash Magazine

Polyester Magazine

The Face Magazine

Here I like the use of lighting on the clash magazine on the right. I like the way there seems to be some sort of gradient created that adds an orange hue to the image. Similarly, the use of colour both here and in the addition of 'Polyester' adds a certain aesthetic which I think helps them appeal to the age demographic that the exam board has asked us to target through our work.     

Clash Magazine

Codes and Conventions

• Articles on health and diet, fashion tips, sex, agony aunt and reader stories.
• Celebrities on the front cover.
•  Main image on top of the masthead.
•  Color scheme changes with season. Normally from 3 to 4 bright, strong colors.
• Main image model is always a woman wearing glamorous clothes and lots of makeup, smiling, looking at the camera. This is common however not true of all of them. 
• Tag on top of masthead with magazine ranking.
• Direct mode of address.
•  Main sell-line in the left, bottom corner of front corner.
• Quotes from interviews as sell lines.
• Barcode, date and magazine webpage are included.
• Discounts and puff with magazine price.
• 2 types of font, bold letters and capital letters used for effect.
• Signs such as exclamations and plus signs are used.
• Big, bold masthead on top of the front cover.
• Social media and apps are featured.
• Double spread pages have a big image and the title of the article in one page and the writing on the next page.
• Separate colored star bursts are included in double spreads with additional information and secondary images are often featured.