SUCCESSFUL FRONT COVER IMAGES

I like this image because it uses the same conventions of the magazines that I previously studied (The Source & Vice). He has a direct gaze looking straight at the camera which I think is effective because it engages the audience which I think will make more people want to read it and therefore buy it. I like the background because it is quite plain and would therefore be easy to place text over the top which would make it stand out and readable. I like the expression on his face because he looks serious, which I think corresponds with the genre of Hip-Hop of my magazine, as Hip-Hop artists usually have this sort of aura about them. I also think the chain he is wearing works well because jewellery typically represents this genre also. One thing I don’t like about this picture though is that it is quite simple, there’s not much to it which I think doesn’t make it stand out very well. I think a different pose would make it look more interesting and fitting with the genre.

This image uses the same conventions as the last one but is in a different setting. I think this photo works well because it has good lighting with autumnal colours which I think work well with the red jumper. Again, he has a direct gaze which is a key feature in music magazines and I think this engages the audience and makes it stand out. I also like how the lighting is brighter on one side of the face, this gives the image depth and makes it look more interesting. I also like the background of this image (the fence) because I think it makes it looks urban which I think corresponds well with the genre of Hip-Hop. I also like the serious expression on his face because I think this represents the genre well and how the artist views their career. One thing I don’t really like though is the fact that if cover lines etc. were places over the image, I think it would be difficult to read and look messy, I want my magazine to have a more plain and simple background so that his face stands out more and I don’t really think that this has been achieved in this picture.

I really like this photo because it uses a different pose which I think works really well. I used the style of pose that was shown in The Source magazine so I think this relates to the genre well. I like how his face is in focus with the background being slightly out of focus as this makes sure the main focus is on him. I again like the use of the leaves as the background as this is plain and easy to place text against to make it stand out. When placing my masthead on this image, I would put it so that it would be behind his head, showing that he is of most importance and that the magazine is well known and easily recognisable without the masthead having to be completely visible. I also like the use of jewellery in this photo as the ring and chain worn around the neck make him look easily recognisable as a new and upcoming Hip-Hop artist. The use of the casual clothes also depicts this style and the red jumper brings colour to the photo making it stand out more. He has a direct gaze which I think is a typical feature seen throughout Hip-Hop magazines and engages the audience which would make them more likely to buy it. There is also space around the edges for cover lines which I am going to make short and snappy because this is another feature that I have seen in other Hip-Hop magazines. This is why I am going to use THIS image as my final front cover image- I will be placing this on the front cover of my magazine.