This document analyzes how the author's media product represents a particular social group. It compares an image the author created for their magazine cover to an image from an existing pop magazine. There are similarities in lighting, posing, and casual clothing. Differences include less makeup and a larger smile in the author's image to seem more natural and friendly for a college-aged audience. The document concludes the magazine represents a girl social group aged 16-20 through its portrayal of a college-aged model in casual clothing and a bubbly, pop theme.

1. How does your media product
represent a particular social
group?
By Paige Marsh

2. Comparison
This is my magazine
main image, I used
Photoshop to edit
my photo and I used
a tungsten light
when taking this
Picture.
This is an image
of a magazine
called top of the
pops. It is a
picture of Cher
Lloyd and I
suspect that it
has been taken
in similar
conditions to my
image and so I
am using it as a
comparison
image.

3. Similarities and Differences
Similarities
The image I have taken from top of the pops acquires similarities to my main image as the posture of the
model is side on either to the right or to the left, but also they are both medium close up so the models facial
expressions can be seen as well as the clothing . I used a tungsten light when taking this picture to give a very
bright clear image. Due to the lighting on the top of the pops magazine I suspect they used a light similar to
the tungsten as both are clear and bright without any tints, for example a studio flash gives a blue tint. I have
noticed that this a is regular lighting choice as pop magazines always have the clear bright images. I wanted
my model smiling as pop magazines have a happy bubbly feeling to them, this can be seen as the top of the
pops image has the model smiling also. As you can see the clothing in both images is casual but with the aid
of make up and hair style the image are given an uplift. The clothing in both images is nothing out the ordinary
but also doesn’t give the ‘going out’ feel. I did this because my magazine is aimed at college students and
university students and the casual look for a night out is popular rather than a dress and heels, this makes my
magazine relatable to the reader.

4. Similarities and Differences
Differences
The top of the pops magazine has their model with a lot of makeup and hair styling, where as my model has a
simple hair which is straight and down with natural make up. I did this because I think it is better related to the
audience as college and university students have an interest in make up but there is a popular trend to have
natural looking make up. I emphasised my models features by her having makeup on her eyes and lips, this
still gives a natural look which I think is more relatable to a college audience. I gave my model a larger smiler
than the top of the pops as this is more friendly and inviting than a small smile. I think it would attract a girl
social group to buy the magazine as it gives off a bubbly happy theme.

5. How does my product represent the social
group
Due to my target audience being the younger generations, including college and university students I
intended for my magazine to be relatable as possible including the main image. This is why my magazine has
a picture of someone who is of college age and also why her costumes not as glamourous as Hollywood. I
portrayed her like a college student so that the target audience was completely clear. In my opinion I think my
magazine represents a girl social group that are between the ages of 16-20 as it has the look of a college
student and clothing that doesn’t look completely unsuitable to be casual but have a smart appearance. The
cover lines and a masthead help the image have a pop theme hence why I didn’t need flashy clothing on my
mode.