I was given the task to analyse the different features of a given magaine cover. Here is what I came up with, this is an issue of Ebony Magazine.

The image on the front of the cover is of an African/American singer and song writer, Jill Scot.

This image has been chosen as it is appropriate to the masthead of the magazine, Ebony.

With ebony meaning a very dark or brown colour, it seems to link with the main image of Jill Scott and her son as the magazine mainly features current black iconic figures. Also, the main image has been chosen as it is a positive one, Jill and her son are seen smiling sending out a positive message even without the need of reading the text.  

Ebony is a monthly magazine for the African-American market and demographic. A new issue is released every month and the front cover features African/American.

The Ebony magazine has been running for 60 and more years. Around 40% of African-Americans read EBONY. This helps them connect to their community and culture. Approximately 7 out of 10 African/Americans will have read at least one issue of Ebony, thus making it the most widely read monthly consumer magazine in Black America.

The singer/songwriter featured on this particular issue is Jill Scott.

Jill Scott (born April 4, 1972), is a Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter, actress and poet. Since 1999 Jill Scott has made a reputation and has become an icon for being a classic, with the help of her 2000 multi-platinum selling debut, ‘Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1’

The shot in the magazine is of Jill Scott and her son. Jill is seen behind her son, holding him in a playful way as he is leaning to this side smiling. The image looks very playful. Jill is wearing a pink blouse which looks very feminine. Both Jill and her son are seen smiling, which conveys a positive, happy message.  The image is set against a plain white background as the main focus is of Jill and her son, although cover lines are peppered all over the page.  The colors used on the front cover of this magazine are black, light brown and pink. The brown used in the text links in with the whole idea of ebony, being dark brown colors. The pink used in the text adds femininity to the cover of the magazine despite the main focus is of a female. The lighting used in the image is very clear; a very small part of the image is hidden behind the masthead very much like most magazines.