2. Inspirational Photograph; 1 This is a typical photo that would be used in DPS as there is no space for the mast head. The photo is a medium close up which shows the artist’s, Lil’ Wayne, expressions and the emphasis is on the watch which connotes that he has money to spend on flashy watches and tattoos. Which fits in with the genre of the magazines that this would be in such as XXL or VIBE. His eyeline is resting in the top 3rd of the page making him on a level with the reader if not a bit higher. The camera is a low angle shot which connotes that he has more power and is respected and looked up to by the target audience.
3. Inspirational Photograph; 2 This photo would be used as a front cover photo as this is a close up and they have left space for the mast head. The photo says a lot about the artist the black and white is to show that he is taking it back to how it was with all his songs and that he totally original. The use of desaturation makes the photo look more professional, more business like, more artistic and sophisticated. His eyeline is in between the middle 3rd and the top 3rd of the page. Which connotes that he has the ability to have more power than the average person but would like to be regarded as a normal down to earth person. The background looks like it is not in a studio which is normal to magazines of this genre.
4. Inspirational Photograph; 3 This photo is a wide shot of a group of rap artists which would be used in this music genre as part of a double page spread within a magazine. The clothing and the body language of the artists all tell us different things about each artist as the person on the far left is not concentrating on the photo which shows that he is easily distracted and his clothing shows that he is the sensible one. All the artists have got glasses on which suggests they have a sense of hidden identity as they do not want to be noticed all the time. The way that they are positioned within the shot shows there importance to this group of rap artists. As Lil’ Wayne is at the front connoting that he is the most successful. The background is showing cars showing that they are into all luxuries rather than necessities in life. The main colours in this shot are white, red and black which fits in with the magazine as my textual analysis research showed as XXL use mainly red, white and black.
5. Inspirational Photograph; 4 This would be an ideal photo for the front cover of a magazine with this genre. This shot is a shot outside of the studio which fits with the genre of grime, R ‘n’ B, etc. The baseball cap is a prop that is associated with this style of music. The shot would be good for a front cover as they have space for the mast head and they also have left space for the sell lines on the left and right which is essential for the magazine. The jewelry is also a very useful prop as it connotes power and money which fits with the culture and genre.
6. Inspirational Photograph; 5 This photo of Eminem would be good for a double page spread. The use of the shallow focus on the shot makes the reader focus on Eminem. Again, they show the artists jewelry and tattoos which fits with the genre and the use of the photo shoot in an abandoned warehouse signifies that this music genre started with warehouse parties etc as they were not being heard by the public and now they have a massive fan base and are established artists. The light shown shining through the roof goes against the dark and dingy warehouse which connotes anything is possible to the reader.
7. How has this influenced my production? Looking at inspirational photography within my chosen genre as inspired me in the following ways: 1. For my front cover I will use a medium close up and I will consider using artistic backgrounds such as brick walls rather than a studio setting. 2. I will think carefully about costume – tattoos, “bling” (thick gold chains which I could source from Primark etc.) 3. I will use props such as baseball caps, chains and cigars. 4. I will centrally frame my model on the front cover with a serious facial expression 5. I will think carefully about space when composing my shots – ensuring I leave room for a masthead and coverlines. 6. I will position in eyeline in the top third of the frame to create direct address with the readers. 7. For the DPS I will use quirky locations such as warehouses, car parks etc. 8. I will think carefully about costume and largely use black.
