AMP Magazine: Mise-en-scene

This photoshoot of Taylor Swift shows many the many sides to her personality. The clothing suggests both the fun and classical side to her through the 1920’s style. This classical, elegant look is reflected through the lack of make-up and hair styling to show off her classical good looks. The background and colouring of the image also reinforces this through the use of plain colour and black and white filter. It highlights the bone structure of her face and the white of her teeth as Grace Kelly, as figure of black and white film elegance, had done in the mid-1900’s. Her body language and facial expression however reflect the fun, youthful side of her. With a large smile, and bowed as if she is laughing, that audience immediately assume that she is a ‘fun-loving’ girl with an elegant grace and also assume, correctly, that her music is of the same style. 

This image suggests a lot about the subject. The guitar alone would suggest that the artist is of a more folk music persuasion, however when mixed with the harshness of the tattoos, the plaid shirt, and the glasses, multiple genres of music are put upon him. The tattoos give a more rock music look to him, the plaid shirt is slightly country, and the glasses are more indie; however together they form a complete picture of someone who can cover many genres. Dallas Green, the artist, is shown in this picture as someone who cares about his craft due to the body language he has over his guitar. By having him playing and slightly wrapped around it, with pure concentration on the instrument, the readers of the music magazine would immediately connect with the image as they would be passionate about music as well. And by shrouding him in black, it places more focus upon him and the guitar. The casualness of his facial expression, clothing and hair give the impression that he cares for nothing but the music, and the tattoos are a common stereotype of striving musicians. This too would connect the audience and the artist, and in turn the magazine.

The expression and stance of this artist, Laura Marling, reflects the casual, care free nature of her music. Her clothing also achieves this, and all through the simplicity of it. Her grip on the guitar is loose, but firm enough for the audience to know that she knows what she’s doing, her crossed legs suggest that she is relaxed with a guitar in hand, as the audience may be, and her clothing is that which you would wear at home or just walking around town; it isn’t fancy or made up and it reflects the personality of the artist and her music. Make-up and hair remain simple to reinforce the focus she has in her gaze upon the guitar and on music in general. All of these factors combine to make the reader connect with her on a personal level; they both love music. Also, by using a plain background, the rich colour of the guitar and her hair is visible and the deep blues and blacks of her shirt and trousers stand out from the page and catch the reader's eye.