Magazine Analysis: Rolling Stone Contents

Rolling Stone Magazine Contents Analysis

Image: Style (Photographic Technique)

The shallow depth of field used for the image pulls the focus on the model (Leonardo DiCaprio) and so presents the idea that the subjects, artists and models featured in the magazine are it’s main focus therefore engaging an audience who are extremely passionate about music , the arts and rich culture . The shallow depth of field also creates a clear and crisp image which dominates the contents and draws attention to it, creating an interesting and visually pleasing image which draws readers in. The use of a popular and well known actor draws in fans of popular culture and film as well as music culture as well as presenting the magazine as an established and classic  brand through it’s use of established and critically acclaimed actors and musicians. I am planning on also using this pull-focus technique on the close-up image used on my front cover in order to create a crisp and clear image.

Image: Style (Setting)

The New York, urban, brick building background gives a vintage iconic feel and reflects the iconic brand image of the magazine. It also gives an ‘angsty’ feel which reflect s the rebellious feel of the magazine. In my own magazine I will create an edgy image in a similar style through the manipulation of the lighting of the shots used on my cover and in the contents page, I will also portray this 'edgy' style through the body language of my model, I am hoping to create an image that illustrates the model in this style through her positioning.

Language: 

The title ‘Rolling Stone’ relates to an iconic and vintage era of 70’s rock and so illustrates of the magazine itself being classic and age-defying. It’s associations with the 70’s rock scene also holds connotations of revolution and rebellion. Meanwhile language used within the contents such as 'Rock & Roll' and 'Punks' hold implications of and rebellious styles of music while also being associated with iconic decades in music therefore being linked to the iconic yet rebellious nature of the magazine itself. While in my own magazine I am avoiding the use of vintage-handwritten fonts to avoid the portrayal of the magazine's brand image as being that of vintage and iconic but rather modern, trendy and edgy, I am hoping to form a brand image which draws on the 70's decade as being associated with artists such as 70's icon, David Bowie's alter-ego Ziggy Stardust as being associated with the surreal and controversial. I will create this look through the application of glitter to my model's face and eyes to create a 1970's Ziggy Stardust surreal look.

Layout: Positioning

The separation of the contents into separate headings creates a clear layout which is easy to read and so makes it easy for the reader, this presents the idea that the magazine really cares about it’s readers and wants them to easily navigate the magazine and find the stories that they want to read. I will also separate the contents of my magazine into separate sections under clear headings in order to make it easier for the reader to navigate the magazine, this can imply of the passion my magazine holds for it's readers and how it wants to make the experience of buying and reading the magazine easy and enjoyable rather than complicated.

Layout: Colour

The use of the red and black colours throughout the page creates a memorable brand image through the use of house style to create an iconic brand.  In my own magazine I will be using far brighter and vibrant colours however I will be employing a house-style as seen in Rolling Stone through the use of a repetitive colour scheme of pink throughout.