Media Representation-- "Blog Post #2"

Media representation that I may use in my project


For my project I will perhaps do a magazine with the food/cooking genre. This type of magazine oftentimes features articles about living healthier and uses healthier ingredients/ recipes. Therefore, an issue that I may represent in my project is obesity. Obesity is a global problem affecting people from all over the world which is a topic that I would like to discuss. In my project I would discuss ways to a healthy living to help the prevention of obesity.


One example obesity is represented in media is in the documentary movie, Super Size Me. This movie is about a man that tries to eat unhealthy for a period of time, to prove that eating fast foods have a terrible effect on us and could lead to being overweight. The documentary provides the representation of how obesity is a problem based on the menus of fast foods and also based on the person. Therefore, this is something that I would like to represent perhaps in my magazine article. I would like to talk about the negative effects that eating unhealthy foods could do and that gaining weight could be prevented.


Another example this issue is represented in media is in the Tv series The Biggest Loser. This series is about contestants that are obese and overweight that compete to win a prize by trying to lose the most weight. Just by the name, it can be seen that this platform of media represents people that are overweight as “losers”. I believe that this may bring a bad connotation to these kinds of people, which is something that should not be done. Instead, in my project I would discuss the ways this group of people could reduce their weight but in an effective manner that does not deal with a temporary satisfaction.


Overall, I do not agree with all types of media representation with people that are obese. I believe that they should be represented as people that are struggling to try and eat the healthier way. Which is why I would represent people obese that they are in the need for help eating a healthier way.

Genre Research #2-- "Blog post #1"

1. Genre:

Travel Magazine

2. Genre Conventions- content

The main purpose of a travel magazine is to promote tourism and also to inform and entertain those who love to travel with articles. Therefore, this genre normally features seasonal recommendations of places to visit, interviews with experienced travelers, and traveling tips when traveling far from home. The front covers of travel magazines always consist of the name of the magazine in large colorful font to attract viewers. In addition, the front cover of these magazines have large pictures of extravagant landscapes to show the main topic discussed in the issue.



3. Genre Conventions- Production techniques

Most of the pictures for a travel magazine are shot on location rather than a studio this is because these magazines are about promoting people to visit a location. Location shootings can often be quite difficult since it often requires clearing people from a location to take a decent picture, it is especially hard for places that have a lot of tourism. In order to provide beautiful high resolution pictures of a location, photographers are required to take them in professional cameras. In addition, photographers have to be aware of conventions such as composition and angles to create a nice looking picture. Travel magazine production can take a long time, since it requires patience to take good pictures when visiting a place, and then must need the help with editing.



4. Sample #1

Travel + Leisure March 2013 issue

This sample embodies the travel magazine since it contains most of the features that a travel magazine would have. For example, the front cover of this magazine depicts the title in large bolded letters to grab any reader’s attention. It also contains large picture of a well known Roman building to show the main topic discussed in the magazine. In addition, just how travel magazines are, this magazine shows tips on traveling and recommendations in places in Rome. As for production techniques, the pictures show that these were photos taken on location, just like any travel magazine. It also looks to have been taken by a professional camera as well as taken the time of having it edited since the front cover picture looking to be in high resolution and have a nice filter over the original.






5. Sample #2
Condé Nast Traveler April 2015 issue

This second sample embodies the travel magazine genre in many ways. Content wise, just like any travel magazine, this magazine has its title in large letters to attract viewers and depicts one main focus that is going to be featured based on the front cover picture. It also features other main points that relate to traveling around Europe, informing what articles will be shown throughout the magazine. For production techniques, it uses everything that a travel magazine would do, the pictures were shot on location with a professional camera to show the picture in high definition. All of the edited techniques of the photograph and design create an aesthetically pleasing front cover, just like other travel magazines.










6. A list of travel magazines


Afar







National Geographic Traveler December 2016/ January 2017 issue







Wanderlust August/September 2010 issue







Sunset





Escapism issue 24

Genre Database Entry

A. Genre: Cooking & Food


B. Genre conventions- Content
Cooking/food magazines normally consist of recipes, current food trends, seasonal foods, interviews with experienced chefs, and nutritional articles from experts.The front cover of any cooking/ food magazine usually contains the main food genre that will be the prime focus of the magazine. This main food course will look appealing in order to attract customers. In addition, the front cover is filled with vibrant colors, large fonts for the titles and subheadings in order to attract viewers and also to make the magazine look aesthetically pleasing.

C. Genre conventions- Production Techniques
Production techniques are essential to any magazine, especially for the cooking/food genre. For food photography, there is no specific set used to take pictures. It can be done anywhere, but lighting, color, and compositions must be considered. Professional food photographers use light and color in order to captivate the attention of anyone that passes by that magazine. Light emphasizes the texture and richness of the meals featured. Angle compositions are also important in production technique since it is the factor that allows the viewer to see the whole subject of food. If these techniques are not use it would not entice people to buy any food magazine.


D. Institutional Conventions- Marketing
Cooking/food magazines are promoted mostly in supermarkets. These kinds of magazines are featured everywhere in all places that have food to encourage customers to buy and try out new recipes. Moreover, they are mostly featured in the checkout lines when a customer is ready to purchase their products. Another way these magazines are marketed is by themselves. For example, several magazines within have promotions to subscribe to their magazine. They feature all of the kinds of things they’re magazine has to offer, to convince the audience. All of these promotions have helped influence the demographic of consumers of each magazine. For food magazines, it is mostly used by women in their thirties.



E. Sample #1
Cooking Light July 2014 issue

This sample of Cooking Light embodies the cooking/food genre in several ways. It contains several eccentric colors like red, orange, yellow, and green to give the magazine a pop of color. Based on the subheadings, the magazine features recipes on different types of meals, interviews with a chef, and contains seasonal recipes; which is all part of the content of a cooking/food magazine. Like always, it features a meal in the front cover, which uses all of the production techniques like angle composition and lighting. All of these factors contribute it to be part of the cooking/food magazine genre.








F. Sample #2
Food & Wine November 2017 issue

This issue of Food and Wine embodies the cooking/food genre because just like all food/cooking magazines it features a professional photo of a dish, in this case a thanksgiving meal. The magazine’s front cover has large sized font for the titles, in order to attract viewers and to show the name. In addition, it features several new recipes for people to try, an interview with a chef, and article of a seasonal feature. Obviously, the magazine’s name itself reveals it to be part of the cooking/food genre. In order to feature the whole meal, the person who took the photo follows the technique of angle composition to show one of the main focuses in the magazine. It also uses the marketing technique of promoting a Thanksgiving issue to get several people to buy the magazine during the season and try all of their recipes.






G. A list of cooking/food magazines:

Veggie June 2016 issue





2. bon appétit December 2012 issue





3. Food Network






4. Taste of Home February/March 2018 issue






5. Fine cooking April/May 2018 issue

Welcome!

    Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Elizabeth. I love watching films, TV shows, reading, and I have a passion for food and traveling. Apart from this I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Moreover, follow my journey on making my magazine, it's going to be a fun ride!