The "Male Gaze" theory...

Laura Mulvey argued that most media reflects the MALE GAZE. That the camera acts as a "male eye" where women are looked at in a way that men see as provocative and sensual. Women are often objectified...

I completely agree with the male gaze theory because women are seen as objects; mostly on magazine covers, television programmes and other media used daily. Wearing basically material for clothing and showing as much skin as possible. Having a camera angled so they can see down a women's top or get a good view of her body in a certain position.

The theory is reflected by the way the woman is standing or what she is wearing. Almost every magazine has this, and i highly doubt it will stop in this generation, especially with ratings how they are when it comes to a women being half naked standing up against a wall.

Ideology and Objectification of Women and Men in Magazines

Every single music, magazine and television programme objectifies women as young slim girls with the perfect body. Otherwise known as the "male gaze"; a camera shot or angle that shows the perfect gaze from a male perspective. Usually looking down upon the female body with her wearing as little clothing as possible.

To men; women wearing as little as possible makes her look empowering and sensual, however in my view it makes her look ridiculous. Wearing tight short clothing for the excitement and amusement of men. Usually for money or wanting attention.

But it is also to advertise to all women who don't have the perfect body or amazing figure that they can easily get it. The ideology of these two covers displays a representation of the perfect women and shows the genre of the music magazine. To give tips and advise on how to get this and live the "perfect life".

With magazine covers like this; the background is very light an plain, to influence the models best assets and for the reader to focus on the model. Which of course is a young girl who is airbrushed to an inch of her life showing enough skin to make readers want more. In addition the issue has information on this weeks top outfits, to have great sex and top diets that celebrities are using.


There aren't many magazines with men on the cover, but obviously the Vogue cover is to show the perfect man towards a female perceptive; mostly because he is shown on a fashion magazine that women buy. However the Bloke's Health magazine is another story. This magazine is targeted to men who are trying to lose weight, and by using an overly weight man on the front brings back reality to the male gender. Making them think, do they really want to look like this? Because honestly i would rather look at the Vogue magazine than the Bloke's Health magazine. Even though its not even targeted towards the female gender.

The same with the female covers; they all have a bland background, to draw attention towards the model and influence the camera angle and the amount of airbrushing, toning and tanning. On the other hand Bloke's Health is more realistic because it has none of these techniques, it is just blunt and to the point. It body is not pretty or perfect and you have to work to get it. Unlike the other three magazines.

The ideology of these two magazines is to objectify men of how they are meant to look and how to get it, just like the two women magazines however the difference between the magazines on this post is that the women look vulnerable and cheap yet the men look empowering and strong. Yes the magazines may include the same tips and information but its all about how the models on the cover are portrayed.

This post is show and pick at the techniques used in two different music magazines:



 First thing to notice about this magazine cover is the audience it is directed towards. Clearly with the mix of the pink and black theme its directed to the female reader with a keen sense in music, mostly rock and pop however; with a young celebrity in a short tight outfit, it is trying to gain a wider audience by whats on the cover not whats inside the issue, mainly the male gender of course! what more do you expect by sticking a half naked girl on the front?

The camera shot a wide mid shot; to display enough of the model for the audience to see but no so close as to see how airbrushed she actually is. The model otherwise known as "Katy Perry" a legendary pop artist and singer, popular to the young generation. Yet she appears to be dressed in a kind of sixties fashion causing a confusion for the audience as to what kind of music the issue is themed around.

There is a theme to the font used; the only difference is either the size, colour or boldness of the font. This is used to display a theme that will either run through the hole of this issue or create a set brand that will be used through every issue.

Obviously this is targeted to the older audience mostly because there's a nearly half naked girl on the front but also because it contains advice about sex from celebrities and people getting "wasted". I highly doubt 12-13 year old would want to read about that.

It's not a cluttered format compared to others; because i think they want the audience to mostly focus on the model than the information around her. Most reader just buy an issue because of who is on the front of the cover; whether it's what she/he is wearing and also because of the actual model on the front. Nothing to do with the information. Waste of space no-one usually reads it anyway. Of course the Masthead has the biggest font out of all the information because that's what gets recognition from a reader and establishes its brand. However theres no sell line or anything like that; just one large image and random quotes around the sides.

This Issue on the other hand; "vibe" is more focused on the information around the model than the actual person, because yellow and black attract the most attention out of all the colours, mainly because its colour of wasps and bees. Mostly everyone is scared to death of them. This is what this type of issue is signifying; that it is making an impression on the audience, it is selling loud and rap music that only some people will like. Directing this issue to a certain target.

If you look at the model shirt it says "unstoppable" creating the impression that his music is the best you've ever heard and you won't be able to stop reading this issue.
The title used for this brand; "vibe" could mean you feel a certain pull to either the music or magazine, making you want more. Trying to intimate the reader into buying this issue. Yet it does have the biggest font out everything else, once again causing recognition but the font used for the masthead is very bold and large, showing what kind of music is in this issue but creating the impression that it quite different from other magazines, it has it's own brand and shares a certain amount of music that will be in every issue. Mainly because once you've shared one issue, the font and size of the headline must always be the same, promoting recognition to any readers.

The difference between these two issue is the gender they are directed towards; the Katy Perry issue is targeted towards a female audience who like pop music and the Drake issue is directed towards mostly a male perspective, judging by the theme who like rap and loud music, or anyone who's interested in Drake altogether. Same goes for Katy Perry.

This blog post is describing different effects that are used throughout school magazines and the purpose of using them...



This cover is obviously about the school's main attraction; sport, showing a close up image looking up to 3 girls playing a team game. This effect is to introduce an immediate recognition of what time of school they are representing and what they offer, also giving a clear image of the models facial features. Firstly in the main image shows three girls playing a team sport and smiling, demonstrating a positive attitude for the audience and give an insight to the girls school life.
There is a main theme running through this cover; red and white, the font, the logo and also the models P.E kit is white and red. Suggesting that the theme of the cover is copying the schools colours following the sign of recognition.

Still referring to the image; the background is shown as a bright and shining place, also to introduce a happy atmosphere at the school but to also to show a spotlight upon the models faces. Obviously to make sure the audience see their facial features and the emotions the show.

The logo/name of the magazine is an abbreviation of either the schools name of three words used to describe the magazine. It is obviously the biggest font and text out of all the other information to draw the readers attention and gain recognition so readers will be aware of the magazine and what it's about in the later future.

The other text is small and not as bold but still in white to gain attention also fitting the red and white theme. It shows what information is in the issue so readers can choose if they want to read this issue due to what is on the front cover, making it easier for them.

Lastly they use the quote; "Sports Overview, a successful year...", finally demonstrating the main vision of the school and what is focuses on, also showing the school's strongest point being sport altogether. This is their overall theme that would run through all FFH's issues; red and white colours but with running pages of the school's progress for sport.

This cover on the other hand focus's of the scientific principle of the school. Obviously showing their strongest point of the school curriculum. This issue is dedicated towards the parents instead of the student as it is called; "Parent and School".

There isn't a current theme running through this cover as; the logo/name is red and white, yet there is green information on the right hand side of the page. Making this issue unrecognisable if the makers decide to change their them altogether. Seems like sloppy work in my opinion because it looks like a piece of poorly constructed page that was just placed together in a hurry.

They used a bold italic font in either red or white just like the logo however nothing about it draws your attention.
Theres no techniques used on this cover. Of course they have a sell line, a logo, and a main image showing a student doing his science work yet even though its a close up image it gives no indication whether he likes the subject. Theres no facial features or theme following this page. I wouldn't read this issue or any other issue they would make after just analysing this page.

This blog is to show and describe my set tasks over the coming weeks for media. Plus I will update this site with video's and images of my upcoming progress for this subject, along with regular posts.