Evaluation Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

posture, gesture angle, shot type, lighting, costume. espression and hair 

I have created a photoshop document placing an image of one of my models located on the double page spread of my magazine, next to an image of the Linkin Park lead singer found on Kerrang cover. This helps to create observable comparisons when the two images are next to each other, aiding in evaluation. 

Gesture: The two models are using a similar pose of placing their hands around their heads. The difference is that my model is placing his hands on his ears to create the impression that their is a sound deafening him. Metal music is very loud especially at gigs therefore I wanted to express actions and emotions that my target audience feel, by using them on a model. The audience will see him and notice that famous artists experience similar things to them and see they are like each other, making them feel there is no difference between great artists and their audience.

Costume: The obvious difference is that my model on my double page spread is wearing a black jumper whereas the Linkin Park lead singer is completely shirtless except for a cloth wrapped round his wrist. The reason behind choosing a black jumper is because black is the colour that represents darkness and death, which most metal songs are based on therefore I thought this would portray through the costume. However, by choosing to go shirtless, the Linkin Park lead singer is expressing his many tattoos which give the look of toughness especially when his tattoos are of skulls and flames which all add to the "Bad-ass" look. Although, he is wearing a black wrist band therefore the connotations of black are still found. My models tattoos can still be seen however they aren't as obvious therefore he doesn't look as tough compared to the Kerrang model.

Shot type: Both photo's use the medium-close up shot type where you can see a little torso as well as your head. I used this shot type because this type of shot allows to focus in on the models face which is important as the facial expression (screaming) is vital to be noticed with the arms pose to complete the deafening look. This is another reason as the shot type also allows easy viewing of the arms.The Kerrang example has used the shot type for a similar reason as the model is also expressing a pose that is important with the design therefore with a close-up of the face, as well as wide image for the arms, the screaming and arms arched is effective.

Expression: The two models are portraying a screaming expression. I decided to make my model choose such a facial expression because screaming is an action that all metal fans can relate to when they are singing. This helps for when my target audience notice the magazine as they will see the model is screaming and associate this with the metal genre, therefore knowing the magazine will be based on metal music.

Lighting: I took my images outside as natural lighting is bright and creates little glare. However, the images produced from Kerrang would have most likely taken place in a studio meaning many artificial lights surrounding the studio, I believe the Kerrang image looks better as the artificial lighting has created little shadow on the model where as the natural lighting used in my image comes from one angle therefore shadows appear on the models lower face which is unprofessional.

Hair: I believe my model looks to have the better head of hair to represent the younger metal scene. This is because most "moshers" prefer to have their hair longer because they like to wave their hair about, up and down which is a lot more extravagant compared to short hair where their head is mostly just shaking with little excitement. However, Linkin Park are an older band therefore they are more likely to represent more of an older generation of fans which may have receding hair lines common in middle aged people.