Representation

 I want to challenge the common sterotype that a person's health is judged based off their appearance. Fat people are considered unhealthy while thin people are considered healthy.  Health has more to do than just what you look like. I would like for my project to show that there are people of various body weights that are considered healthy.

My first example is from a new Netflix show called Insatiable. In the show, the lead character who was once bullied because she was overweight plans to exact her revenge on all those who made fun of her.  I thought this show was interesting because it showed how the main character was treated differently when she lost wweight.  That says a lot about how society views healthy versus unhealthy people.  It's sad that many movies and TV shows depict thinner people as being better than those who are curvier.  Just because people are thin doesn't necessarily mean that they are healthy.

My second exmple is from the British drama series called Skins. In the show, the two main characters on Skins have suffered from anorexia.  This example is a great depiction of how thinner people are not necessarily healthy.  No one suspects anything is wrong with the main chacrter because she is thin.  But she slowly begins to reveal that she does not eat and struggles with her strggling self esteem.  I like that there is representation from both sides of the issue.  Society does shame people for being fatter and they are looked down upon while thinner people are not thought of as being unhealthy.  It is apparent in this example that health has to do with more than just the superficial.  This main chacter has mental health issues more than body weight issues, yet there are very few media examples taht deal with the topic of mental health.  It is not fair to say that someone is healthy based off just their looks.  There is more to someone's health than what meets the eye.

It took me a very long time to understand that the stereotype portrayed is not completly true.  It is misleading many kids, teenagers and young adults into thinking that they need to be thinner in order to be considered healthy.  In my magazine, I want to tackle this subject and address the fact that what we see in the media isn't always true.  I want my magazine to talk about what healthy habits are and how a person can judge for themselves if they are healthy or not.

Research, Research, Research!

Research

Food and Cooking Magazine

Content:
Food and Cooking Magazines tend to have recipes that are easy for the regular home cook to make while also considered to look professional or restaurant-worthy. Many of the receipes will embody the season or holiday that is approaching, such as Thanksgiving recipes for the November issue.  The magazine may also recommend local restaurants or dining experience to their readers.  Content may also cover nutrition and diets that are intended to inform reader to keep them healthy.  Another popular topic that many food magazines all seem to have is a travel and culture section that talks about food around the globe .

Production Techniques:
Food and Cooking Magazines tend to use close-up shots of the food items so the audience can focus on the images.  Images are clear and deep focus on the food item.  Many magazines utilize white/black backgroungs in order to draw attention to the bright colors of the food.  The color palette often used consists of warm hues to generate a mood of warmth and excitement over the dish.
The sub-headings tend to consists of topics of

Example #1:

This cover for Fine Cooking utilizes warm hues in order to create a sense of warmth and comfort with their audience.  The color combination of burgundy (background) and orange (sub-headings) are colors taht are generally associated with the autumn season, hence why the magazine chose these colors for their Fall issue of the magazine. The overall color theme used in the cover is cohesive.  The magazine uses an analogous color scheme to create an overall harmonious and cohesive message of comfort. The use of the white plate against the burgundy background draws the reader's attention to the food onthe plate. The deep focus of the image draws attention to the detail of the dish shown.

The sub-headings on the cover cater to the needs of Fine Cooking's target audience.  This magazine's intended audience is the general public and home cooks; not professional chefs.  Hence, the sub-headings are on topics that may interest the general public.  The word choices of 'easy', 'showstopper' and 'perfect' are positive and reassuring to make the reader feel that by listening to the advice in this magazine they will not only learn how to make easy receipes, but they will also look elegant and professional.


Example #2:

The color theme for Cooking Light magazine uses juxtaposing complementary colors which distinguishes the heading and sub-heading while also creating a sense of balance in the image.  The black (background) with the red and white (heading and sub-heading) draw the attention of the eye around the whole cover.  The black highlights the brightness of the other two colors, which makes them pop out to the reader.  The color red symbolizes desire passion but is also a color that stimulates the appetite.  The white balances out the red and the black, creating a harmonious overall tone for the cover.

The cover utilizes a variety of fonts.  The plain, bolded text is intended to jump out to the reader and grab the attention.  It also indicates what the major articles inside the magazine will be.  The fancier script is meant to bring a look of elegance to the overall magazine.  The plain, bold text conveys to the audience that the recipes and advice given in the magazine is simple and easy to understand, while the fancier script makes the reader think while the recipes may be easy to follow, they will also look sophisticated

Examples of Food and Cooking Magazines:
Cooking Light
Gourmet
Saveur
BBC Good Foods
Bon Apetite
Food and Wine
Fine Cooking
Naked Food Magazine

Genre Research Activity

Genre Research Activity

Health Magazine

  

Genre Conventions (Content) -   Health Magazines don’t gear their product to just those who are
health conscious.  They tend to have a variety of topics within the sub-genre of health, such as “Lifestyle”,
“Relationship”, “Weight Loss”, “Beauty” and more.  These sub-topics appeal to wider audiences,
which generates more subscriptions to the magazine. Content is about nutrition and gives advice on ways to
stay healthy.  Health magazines also report on the latest research and health trends.

Genre Conventions (Production Techniques) - Health Magazines are in print or online forms.  
The print versions have attractive covers featuring idealized physical beauty and focus of the pictures is on the
physical appearance of the models.  Photos in health magazines can range from physically fit models to health
products endorsed by the company. The lighting in the photos is high key lighting which gives the viewer
a full view of the model while also highlighting the model's physical features.  The bright lighting generates
optimistic and happy emotions within the audience, linking their magazine and products with positive feelings.
The images tend to be medium shots, extreme close-ups or close-ups.

Institutional Conventions-  Companies use fit models on their cover to set an example as to what the
epitome of fitness is.  Celebrities will be used on covers in order to endorse the magazine and entice readers
to look inside.  Companies must also be aware of health trends. There are a variety of diets that are available
to the public.  Since health magazines can be read by such a wide audience of people, companies put a variety
of headlines on the front cover to entice their customer.  The front covers have stories from different sub-topics
within the issue. Having a variety of topics on the cover is likely to attract a wider consumer group.  

Sample-  This cover of SELF Magazine showcases a picture of, Serena Williams.
The use of a famous tennis player is likely to attract more people to look inside the magazine.  
The photo has high key lighting so the viewer is able to see all of Serena William's physical features.
The lighting gives the viewer a full view of the model which allows them to compare their fitness level
with Serena Williams.  The picture is taken from a low angle shot which makes William’s appear taller and
more powerful in the shot. This is done intentionally to go along with their headline “Strong is Sexy.” By
utilizing low angle shot, William’s appears as a strong and powerful person which is exactly the intention they
want to get across to their customers.  SELF is promoting that women like Serena Williams are viewed as
strong and powerful which are desirable qualities.

Sample-

On this issue of Men’s Health magazine, the company placed various headlines on the cover that surrounds
the model.  This is done to give the consumer the feeling of having a great deal of information available to
them.  The headlines on the front cover are from a variety of different sub-topics of health, so when it is all
laid out for consumers on the cover, they will feel that the magazine they are buying will encompass all facets
of health.  The consumers will believe that they have access to a variety of data and info. The headlines are
bolded and vary from black to red font to draw the eye all over the cover. Although the model is in the center
and takes up most of the middle of the page, the eye is drawn to all corners of the page because of the red,
bold text.  This gives the consumer a lot to look at. Lastly, there is high key lighting in this photo so that the
consumer can see the model’s physically fit appearance. Placing the model on the cover will attract certain men
who strive to look like the model. They will use this model as motivation to get fit or as a goal in hopes that
they too can look like the model.   The visual of the model is just one aspect that entices readers to purchase
this magazine.

Other Health Magazine examples:

Prevention: https://www.prevention.com/

Men’s Journal: https://www.mensjournal.com/

Alive: https://www.alive.com/

Women’s Health: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/

Fitness: https://www.fitnessmagazine.com/

Shape: https://www.shape.com/

"At times confusing, slightly amusing. Introducing me" - Introducing Me by Nick Jonas

Introductions

Hi and welcome to my blog!  My name is Grace Koshy.  I am a Senior at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Florida.  Here are a few facts about me:

• I was lived in Pune, India for three years.
• I am a lead singer for my rock band "Fluorescent Adolescents"
• My favorite bands are Queen, Twenty One Pilots, OneRepublic, Fall Out Boy and Imagine Dragons
• I want to major in Marketing

Throughout the year, I will be utilizing this blog in order to document the process of making my magazine.