A male orientated is a magazine designed to specifically appeal to male viewers. The magazine will appeal to a specific audience when the conventions are targeted to do so. Each of these convention will be suitably tailored.
Masthead
FHM is very well established in the 'Lads mag' world. This Masthead is being blocked by the model. The conventions of the masthead inform the audience of the name without needing reading it. The masthead of this magazine is made up of a very blocky, sharp edged, square font. This is usually subconsciously received as appealing to masculine types because of its aggressive nature. The reason the masthead is being blocked by the model in this instance is because the model is the main attracting tactic used by the magazine.
Main Image
The model in the main image is Tamara. This actress is well known and very admired in the male world because of her attractive appearance. The model, in terms of a sex image, appeals to the masculine audience because they enjoy seeing the model in a provocative manner. The use of a famous model promotes the magazine by revealing somebody well known to the audience in a sexual manner. The reason this may be so effective is because of the male tendency to fantasize. This actress stars in films of a fairly tame nature. If a man were to find her attractive in said film they may wish to see her in the way she is presented on this magazine. This is the main hook of the magazine cover.
The body language of 'Tamara Ecclestone' is very powerful. She is posed in a very provocative way. She is leant forward in this image. Leaning forward emphasizes her chest which is a major attractive tactic implemented by the magazine. This is then reinforced with the use of lighting. The models chest is highlighted with direct light making it more obvious and immediately eye catching. She is looking directly at the camera lens (creating the effect of eye contact). This makes the audience, subconsciously, feel in touch and related to the model, emphasizing the sexual attraction.
The facial expression is also important. This model is known for her beauty. The model is pulling a very serious face. This could be received as powerful and sexy. This combined with the use of eye contact creates a very seductive image.
All of these aspects, including model selection and her representation link to Katz and Blumer's theory of 'Use and gratification'. The specific use of this magazine cover is entertainment. The audience is entertained by the image and therefore attracted to the magazine.
The body language of 'Tamara Ecclestone' is very powerful. She is posed in a very provocative way. She is leant forward in this image. Leaning forward emphasizes her chest which is a major attractive tactic implemented by the magazine. This is then reinforced with the use of lighting. The models chest is highlighted with direct light making it more obvious and immediately eye catching. She is looking directly at the camera lens (creating the effect of eye contact). This makes the audience, subconsciously, feel in touch and related to the model, emphasizing the sexual attraction.
The facial expression is also important. This model is known for her beauty. The model is pulling a very serious face. This could be received as powerful and sexy. This combined with the use of eye contact creates a very seductive image.
All of these aspects, including model selection and her representation link to Katz and Blumer's theory of 'Use and gratification'. The specific use of this magazine cover is entertainment. The audience is entertained by the image and therefore attracted to the magazine.
Colour scheme
The colour scheme on this particular magazine is very male orientated. The use of hard, reds and blacks appeal to feminine audiences because we are socially programmed to believe these colours are stereotypically pleasing to male audiences (we subconsciously read this when viewing these colours on a magazine). This is because of the connotations of the colours.
A connotation of the colour red is danger and power. This appeals to men because of their natural wanting to be alpha male. This links to the image because of the themes of lust and sex.
The blacks and greys are used on this magazine to frame and emphasize the red. This emphasizes the appealing aspects of the magazine.
The layout of these colours on this magazine are as such to frame the model and draw attention to her most appealing attributes. This is most obvious with the top cover line. The top cover line is red this is the brightest colour on the page and it is positioned very closely to the highlighted chest of the model.
A connotation of the colour red is danger and power. This appeals to men because of their natural wanting to be alpha male. This links to the image because of the themes of lust and sex.
The blacks and greys are used on this magazine to frame and emphasize the red. This emphasizes the appealing aspects of the magazine.
The layout of these colours on this magazine are as such to frame the model and draw attention to her most appealing attributes. This is most obvious with the top cover line. The top cover line is red this is the brightest colour on the page and it is positioned very closely to the highlighted chest of the model.
Cover lines
The cover lines on this are based on topics archetypically related to men. These topics are sex ('20 new sex tips for 2007') and nude women ('Tamara Ecclestone').
The topic of sex is usually associated with women because of society. Even though this stereotype is not necessarily true, men tend to be more vocal and openly interested in sex. By adding this obviously attractive (to men) element, men may be swayed to purchase the magazine. This cover line also entails the information to improve in bed. Which is also typically a male interest and is a hook to purchase the magazine. This links to the use and gratification of information.
The topic of nude women is largely associated with men due to the their natural attraction to women. This is very effective in the lads magazine world because of men's natural desire to view women nude. Women models tend to adhere to ideology and conventions. Such as large breasts, thin and beautiful.
The topic of sex is usually associated with women because of society. Even though this stereotype is not necessarily true, men tend to be more vocal and openly interested in sex. By adding this obviously attractive (to men) element, men may be swayed to purchase the magazine. This cover line also entails the information to improve in bed. Which is also typically a male interest and is a hook to purchase the magazine. This links to the use and gratification of information.
The topic of nude women is largely associated with men due to the their natural attraction to women. This is very effective in the lads magazine world because of men's natural desire to view women nude. Women models tend to adhere to ideology and conventions. Such as large breasts, thin and beautiful.
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