How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The particular counter-culture i am predominantly aiming my magazine at are the 'hipster, indies', but categorically speaking; many other aspects of this counter culture come into play. The magazine as a whole is targeted towards a young audience such as individuals and working class. and to all ethnic backgrounds.

'Flawless Magazine' offers both young people to a new interest in alternative music. it gives people the chance to become a fan of it, and a chance to those people who are already a fan to get more involved with the music. Of course, the magazine relates back to the original style of music such as rock and punk as that is were alternative music has come from. involving news and reviews on old musicians and cultures back from the 70's and 80's as that is also were most of the fashion inspiration comes from.

Taking demographics and pyschographics into account; I needed to relate to the powerful rock culture in terms of style, attitude, interests, and lifestyles. but also make sure that I remake it for modern day fashions. Below is Hayley Williams, the iconic lead singer of 'Paramore', of whom I chose to use as a style model for the characters in my magazine as she fits the brief of being fashionable and different.

I knew that i needed to relate her character i did this by looking at images of her performing and her attitude, style and posture. i also looked at pictures from her audience to help create the right vibe for my magazine.

Posture: in every single photo i took of my own, i knew it was fundamental to have loads of attitude and character, just as 'Hayley Williams' in the photo above. I chose to have my model holding a guitar to demonstrate she has musical talent as in a lot of Hayley Williams photos shes holding a microphone.
Gesture: There are bodily actions which connote attitude and personality which i wanted to demonstrate in my photography. Her facial expression are happy but still with elements of edginess. This gesture is typical of musicians, therefore i chose to recreate it. This way, my magazine connotes personality; such as happy and cheery but with fiery, wild side. this is typical of a alternative, punk artist.
Shot type, Camera angle:A for my front cover i went for a conventional full length image as my image was powerful enough with out added effects. my image relates to music type as its different and unusual but is still interesting and fashionable. but through out my magazine i have used a variety of different shots such as close up, birds eye and worm eye as i feel it engages the reader and is always interesting which reflects on the audience and vibe of my magazine.
Lighting: after my research, i noticed that many images of modern fashion photography, were set in a dark setting, and then changed to black and white to create more of a cutting edge feel. I recreated this, with many of my photos. I also looked at alot of festival images and they were in natural day light i recreated and wanted to maintain authenticity of the images, and relate to the genre i am focusing on.

Costume: Probably the most important aspect that i needed to focus on; as the image of alternative/ punk musician was just as important as the music they created. The style associated with this type of music is referred to as 'hipster', with vintage style dresses, with a modern twist of accessories, iconic shoes such as Dr Martins and vans, and accessories including festival bracelets, rolled up trouser bottoms originating from the 'MOD' style, brightly coloured hair such as red and dip dyed ends of blues and greens, leather items to be biker chic and customising by adding chains or extra material to clothes to make them unique. Just as Hayley Williams, who is a perfect example. i chose to wear black leather trousers, vintage clog style heels, a biker chic jacket and an old fashioned vintage bra as the latest fashions are underwear as outerwear. The costume is typical with any alternative/ punk musician, and choosing another option wouldn't have been right.
Expression: Also, another very important aspect to be looked at was the facial expressions of my models. Having a happy, laughing character in my photos wouldn't capture the authentic feel of the real alternative/ punk musicians as they are renowned for their attitude fiercer facial expressions. Hayley Williams is another great example for this, therefore i studied how he uses facial expressions to send a fierce and kind of cheeky expression, and recreated this with my own models.
Hair: The hair of my model, wasn't mush of a worry, as the fashion at the moment is a natural flow. this also gives the edginess of a punk stereotype as there message was that they didn't care.

A few other comparisons:

What setting did you decide to use?

After my research of alternative music photos, i noticed that often, the background is an urban setting, sending working class connotations of the band with an attitude, out law feel which is appealing to my audience. These urban settings include grungey alleyways, brick walls, fields at festivals. because i wanted a fashion edge to my magazine i decided to go for no background for most of my images to give it a clean cut, iconic feel.

Have you reinforced stereotypes of your audience (youth) or have you undermined them?

Although being a very popular choice of magazine, i created a situation of were the magazine is being introduced to fashion and the up and coming alternative musicians were becoming more popular in the charts. although i have mostly aimed my magazine at the stereotypes, such as 'hipsters' and 'punks' but my magazine would still be popular to a stereotypical teenager, who likes a whole variety of music.