Oh Comely- Language and representations

 Front Cover

1) The masthead's typography is written in a sort of handwriting style most likely in an attempt to make the magazine feel more casual and friendly almost like a diary.

2) The words under the masthead introducing the topics contained within the magazines helps tell us that the audience seem to enjoy being invested in a lot of different types of media like film, fashion and music.

3) The cover lines surrounding the magazine create a sense of enigma for the audience as Oh Comely's coverlines taunt the readers with subjects of interest but dont disclose much information about it beckoning them to open the magazine for answers.

4) Oh Comely's centre image subverts several conventions of other standard magazines. The model goes against the stereotypes of female models being shown in the media with them showing very few feminine traits. 

5) Oh Comely's representation of gender seems to be focused on empowering femininity in they're own expressive way. Instead of conforming to the typical stereotypes of gender they've gone against it and this is presented through the clothing of the model.

Feature: Speaking out

1) The headline suggests that Oh Comely views they're magazine as a place for women to be able to talk to the world and truly express they're problems and issues or simply they're passions.

2) The interviewees definitely demonstrate Oh Comely's values of inspiring change for women by giving them 5 different people who speak about issues in the current world that they plan to change or they're passions in general.

3) The page design is controversial due to the fact that compared to other magazines its design is very simplistic and empty. The only thing on the page usually is the subject and an image of the interviewee. Most magazines would simply cover this empty space with advertisements for they're sponsors.

4) The absence of men is a key feature for Oh Comely to further emphasise that the magazine itself is entirely focused on the empowerment and development of women in different ways. Compared to other feminine magazines they don't need they're models to wear skimpy clothing just to feel empowered. Oh Comely isn't trying to appease the male gaze in any way.

5) The photography offers a fresh and unusual perspective on women as it doesn't seem to be photoshopped at all and shows a more natural outlook for them that isn't modified in any way.

Feature: More then gender

1) The "More then gender" section of the magazine features a fresh perspective on gender and identity as they explore the life of a person (Ash) transitioning from a man into a woman.

2) The significance of the writer and photographer is that its Ash's sister who composed it.

3) Throughout this section the photographer mainly used establishing shots of locations that they used to visit with Ash almost as a way to visually reminisce. 

4) Oh Comely's depiction of transgenders seems to be a positive one that aims to normalise them as just like everyone else. 

5) The biographical information at the end of the magazine is also significant as it praises both Ash and Andrea (her sister) for the work and journey they've been on.

Representation and identity

1) Oh Comely likes to challenge stereotypes of the representations of gender identity. They don't appease the male gaze in the presentation of women and they also try and be more inclusive with the people they represent (E.G including a transgender into the magazine).

2) The speaking out feature contains a diverse range of representations of race, ethnicity and nationality. They've represented the Somali community, Muslims etc. 

3) Oh Comely represents women and femininity in general as a powerful force of change if given a voice to speak out. They're capable of great things and can express themselves through Oh Comely's magazines.

4) Oh Comely deliberately under represents men as they're main focus isn't on men and they're trying to be a predominantly female led magazine. They're strong believers in female empowerment and as such try to steer clear from any masculine representation.

5) Oh Comely could be an example of fourth wave feminism as they're still striving for some type of change in society whether it be as significant as the other stages is the question. Times have changed and as such new issues have been found and I believe Oh Comely's main focus is more feminine representation throughout media in general.

6) The "More Than Gender" challenges Levi-Strauss's theory of binary oppositions as according to his theory that two opposites are defined by they're differences between each other. The more then gender section has a transgender who was once a man and is currently a woman. This breaks the concept of females and males being complete opposites.

7) Judith Butlers theory of gender simply being a performance links to Oh Comely as they challenge the stereotypical roles presented to females. The clothing and appearance of the models used on the front cover both goes against the male gaze as they're usually shown in revealing clothes but they decide to cover they're model completely in expensive clothing.

8) Van Zoonen suggested that womens bodies are objectified and puts them in a submissive position in power and usually seen as passive. Oh Comely completely goes against this idea through the front cover model. The camera angle is tilted up in a way to make her seem more strong and dominant and also her clothing and earing suggest some type of wealth.

9) David Gauntlett suggests that identity is becoming more fluid, media representations change over time and that there are generational differences. Oh Comely seems to mostly support David Gauntlett's viewpoints as they're a very controversial magazine when compared to typical modern magazines (Mens health). They've allowed people to express they're different perspectives and identities which is especially shown in the More than gender and speaking out section of the magazine.

10) Oh Comely seems to be a relatively open text that can be interpreted differently but when it comes down to it they're mostly focused on female empowerment and expression in a magnitude of different ways.