Main images from existing music magazines

Main image's from popular music magazines such as Q, Billboard etc.

Things i need to consider:
Shot types
Angle
Lighting
Mode of address- eyes, direct/indirect?
Pose/posture
costume
representation type
artists or bands
colours(monochrome)

I have conducted some research into music magazine imagery and how they have portrayed their main images using photography. In the top left magazine of Taylor Swift, she has a very unnatural pose, and the mode of address for this image is very direct, as her eyes are looking straight into the camera at the audience. There is a monochrome theme to this front cover, and the tone of the image is very light, the camera is focused so it clearly emphasises her facial features, making the photo very dramatic and should hopefully have an impact on the readers. Her facial expressions and the way Taylor has portrayed herself is very direct and does support the stereotype of pop stars and convention. We can also note that some sort of wind machine or special effects or equipment have been used to create a slight breeze in her hair, very dramatic but does follow convention. She is wearing a simple plain white t-shirt with a long necklace, which almost distracts the reader from the famous over-the-top pop star she is portrayed at, and brings the magazine some simplicity which does correspond with the black and white theme. using high key lighting. This challenges the 'pop-star' convention as it shows a more innocent side of Taylor swift, and is shown in a different light to perhaps her usual style. The representation of Taylor shows a different side to her, and can be seen as more vulnerable through the use of her body language, the way she's holding her shoulder suggests that she feels the need to hold herself together, implying a sense of sensitivity showing a more calmer side to Taylor swift, perhaps with some of her acoustic albums.

Speaking more generally, i have noticed that most music magazine images do follow convention, and often consist of a close-up or extreme-close-up of the artist or band featured, or a medium shot. The camera also using high focus to really show the finer details, especially on facial features. Some magazines may follow a colour scheme, this is adaptable depending on the artist and the time of the release of the magazine. For example, in the top middle magazine which features Beyonce, she is known for being the 'queen of music' and is very extravagant in the ways she portrays herself in her music and on stage. In her imagery, she is wearing a red floral dress, and her pose/posture is very 'diva-like' and very dramatic, this is also supported by her facial expressions, using direct mode of address. Her representation is very big and dramatic and sassy and important and powerful, traits of a big pop star and therefore does support convention and supports the representation type of today's big pop stars, very confident and inspiring, conducting themselves to be very influential figures.