2. Front Cover Photography Conventions
• A single, medium to medium-long shot of a
model or celebrity is most common
• High key lighting dominates – we see
everything clearly and crisply – surface is all!
• Body language & NVC are vital – ‘be me or
have me’. The ego-ideal concept
• Mode or address is direct – acknowledges our
interest and meets our gaze.
3. Front Cover Conventions
• Masthead: Identifies the type and style of
magazine but must also carry symbolic and
ideological connotations of what the ‘emotional
promise’ is for readers. Its tone:
serious, jokey, stylish, retro, aspirational, comforti
ng, etc
• Issues:
Position, font/typeface, colour, sizing, kerning, up
per or lower case, acronyms, word play &
potential meanings.
• Tagline: A supporting statement which
encapsulates /reinforces the meaning of the
4. Ideological Function
• The magazine must be a friend, mentor or wiser older
figure. Why?
• The magazine, especially front cover creates a
‘permission to dream’. This allows us to enter a world
of aspiration, material success and comfort. It is a
mirror – ‘have me or be me’. Constructs identity!
• Mode of address is inclusive, warm, knowing and
intimate – we’re part of a ‘scene or group’
• The model or celebrity’s smile exudes warmth and
confidence which we can share - if we buy into the
magazine & its lifestyle
• The cover constructs an idealised lifestyle we don’t
have but think we want. False needs
5. Masthead
Tagline
Cover lines
Single Model:
•Medium Long Shot
•High Key
•Natural light
Mode of address
Banner
Use of numeric:
odds & evens?
Alliteration
Exclamatives
Superlatives
Colour palette:
•Black
•Red
•White
6. Parodying the glossies?
The Role of Ideology
How does this fake magazine cover
parody the language & conventions of lifestyle
magazines and their fixed ideas about:
•Success
•Youth
•Looks
•Status
•Money
•Exoticism
•Consumerism
What do you notice about the
•Body language/NVC
•Lighting
•Framing
•Layout and design
•Use of language
