Evaluation: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

This is a front cover of Q magazine and my own front cover, I am going to list the similarities and differences between the main central images. I have used a nikon D300S digital SLR to take my all photographs.

Similarities:

• Both photos are mid shots. I wanted to used a mid shot on the cover so that the readers could see some of the indie style clothing. Both models are also looking directly at the camera/at the audience.
• Both models are posing slightly leaning forward, this gives the readers the sense that she is confident, tough, strong and maybe sometimes arrogant.
• Both models are wearing a small amount of make up, I wanted to keep my model looking natural and not too over the top.
• Both photos have bright lighting, I wanted to get a natural sunlight feel. I think if my photo was too dark readers might mistake the genre of my magazine.
• Both photographs use similar facial expressions, they both have a slight smile, maybe more of a smirk which shows that the artists again might be confident and a bit arrogant. 

Differences: 

• Q's model has her hands in the shot whereas my model does not.
• Although both models are wearing a small amount of make up, the model in Q is wearing much more eye make up.
• The image in Q has a hat covering one of the eyes on the model, this gives a mysterious feel .
• The photograph in Q fills up more of the page whereas mine is a bit smaller to give more room for coverlines without it looking to crowded.

How have I represented age and gender in my magazine?:

• My models are young 16 and 17 which fits the target audience but I think I have represented them as being confident like a lot of teenagers are, they're sometimes a bit 'cocky' so they will be able to relate to the artists.
• They are also natural, I wanted to keep make up down to a minimum, I'm sure most people worry about their looks a lot of the time so I wanted to show the audience that they dont have to wear tones of make up and that no-one is perfect and hopefully they will all relate to this and feel better about themselves.
• As for gender I think I have represented females as being strong, by having the model lean forward slightly I think it shows that they are strong and confident.
• I think as a whole she is represented as maybe an un-stereotypical teenager, when a lot of people think 'teenager' they'll think of them wearing tracksuits, going out drinking, committing crimes etc, but I think I have shown people that not all teenagers are like that by dressing my model in more suitable clothing and showing that she is successful and is doing something good with her life rather than what a stereotypical teenager might be doing.