Main task: front cover textual analysis

Denoation:
I see a picture of a woman standing up, it has been taken medium long shot showing her head to just above her knee. She is wearing a purple and pink dress leaning to the left side, holding flowers against her chest, giving directly eye contact to the reader. The background is ‘baby pink’, slightly darker at the bottom. Behind her head is the masthead 'Billboard.' The two lines "Katy Perry" is in bold which covers the majority of the left side of the page. There are four cover-lines two above and below the name "Katy perry"

Masthead:
The billboard masthead is very distinctive: black with colours filled in the 'b' red 'o' yellow 'a' blue and 'd' darker yellow, slightly green. Influencing people to but the magzine as the masthead is well known. The masthead style is simple with a cinical sans-serif font , which is both clearly visible and inviting for the audience. This font is less formal and therefore appeals to a younger niche audience. The shape of the letters appear curved with smooth edges but sharp corners and this makes the magazine appear fun but bold. In addition within the 'a' is a blue filling and the 'd' a yellow filling, this also contributes to the attractive fun look of the magazine as the target audience is young people, preferably young female.

Character:
This cover photograph is of the successful American singer-songwriter and actress 'Katy perry'.

Costume:
Katy Perry is wearing a dark purple no sleeved, above knee high purple dress. With a small baby pink coloured flowered pattern. At the bottom of her dress is a unique ruffled design. The dress also has the same dark purple coloured belt as the dress in the middle of her waist. Her dress is quite tight fitted until the design at the bottom. This dress shows off her figure which influences males to but the magazine through her attractive 'girly' appearance. And girls to buy the magazine as they may like her girly bright attractive style of clothing. look up to her, 'wanting to look like her' E.g have her body shape or the dress she is wearing

Non-verbal-communication:
Her body language is reserved, having her hand close towards her chest conveying innocence. that reaches out to young women and males proves attractive as the audience may want to read the information in the magazine because of this pose. She also appeals quite sexy as well as 'cute'. which may influence males to buy the magazine as well as females. Her body language is quite feminine. Her leaning to the side gives off a suggestive, vulnerable persona. Also shows off all of her figure and curves which again appeals to the male population, attracting young females, and also males too. Her head is leaned onto her right shoulder, with her mouth slightly open giving off a requesting, lascivious pose. Also appealing to males as well as the dress and background being targeted to females.

Prop:
Shes holding flowers which is attached around her dress. This reinforces the feminine idea she is trying to present through a visual object such as a flower. Which is normally linked to innocence, girls and prettiness. Flowers linked with beauty and brightness influencing the audience to but the magazine as it proves attractive and bright.

Coverlines:
There is four main cover lines. which are black with yellow sub headings.All of these coverlines have four lines including the sub heading. "making money from facebook social games" this cover line is successful for appealing to the young people as they are the age group which most uses social networking sites. Such as titter and facebook.

Setting:
The setting is a clear baby pink background. This was probably done, to direct full attention on to the image more then the background as the background is plain. The pink background reflects the main target audience, which is young females. As it is quite a bright, 'girly' pink. Often related to 'Barbie' which is yet again the attraction of her audience target. The fact that there is a clear background and no set setting gives attention onto her costume which is flowery but dark contrating with the light backgound.

Audience:
Considering all these points, the likely audience would be targeted at young females (although males may also buy this magazine).The age range varying from 16-25. as women of that age most likely are interested in fashion and have a big influence from pop music.The young females who would buy this magazine would most likely to be really feminine female who enjoys pop music. As shes covered in bright coloured flowers such as light pink, and yellow instead of colours like blue and red, which aren't very feminine attractive colours from young women. Also a person which enjoys reading brightly coloured magazines.

Lighting:
The lighting used is high-key,to give of a happy bright mood to the magazine. Also maybe to express fun and happiness. There is also a little shadow behind her arm and back to emphasise the positing of her body. High-key light is used as the pink background is light and vibrant and is most appropriate as pink is considered a colour represented for and to girls. Also seeing that the background is pink, may influence males to also buy the magazine as using high-key lighting and a bright coloured backdrop shows that the magazine will feature females (also supported as as there is a women also on the front cover will flowers over her)

The women on the front cover appears ‘innocent’ and passive although a little seductive as her mouth is slightly open. This could represent femininity and vulnerability which appeals to young girl hence the pink background and flower s attached around her. The background is plain and pink which draws attention on to Katy Perry and her outfit which is flower patterned, which effectively contrasts with the simple background.