Unit 6 Activity 4

Unit 6 Activity 4: Artistic Photomontage

Maggie Taylor

Thomas Barbey

     Both of these photos are from a fine art background and were designed for that purpose. Although these artistic photos were created for different reasons compared to those reasons of the political photomontages, there are similar techniques used in both to create such images. For example, in both of them there is an element of seeing through the lies, contrast, exaggeration of scale and recognizing the familiar.
     The message I see in Maggie Taylor's photo is the idea of seeing is believing. You never know what is actually below the surface. The cliche of the fish with a shark fin is the whole idea of "don't judge a book by its cover." In the second picture, the woman is pulling away her face, revealing her alter-ego, maybe there are some connections she has with the old style town behind her.
     If there were to be another photograph in a Maggie Taylor series, it would be something surreal. Maybe another scenic image, but instead of water it would in the mountains or something. For another photo in Thomas Barbey's collection, I would imagine a black and white photo with a male figure revealing something about himself.


Resources:

Learn to make your own photomontages by checking out Serena Fenton's blog here!

More by Thomas Barbey HERE!

Unit 6 Activity 3

Unit 6 Activity 3: Power over Media Enhancements

As editors exercise their ever increasing power over information control, what limits would you impose on them as to the extent to which they can manipulate the photographic image? Devise a series of guidelines that will control the release of images that have been constructed for media use so that the public are aware as to the extent of the manipulation.

Here are the guidelines I would establish to limit the amount of manipulation of photographic images.

• No editing or changing body types. 
• No slimming a model down, no creating skinnier arms or legs or smoothing out wrinkles or curves
• Only foundation and other make-up products can be used to enhance a models features, no computer editing of skin, etc. 
• Merging pictures for a commercial use should not be allowed
• Photomontages should be allowed artistically or for political use only if there is a disclosure that states the image has been tampered with
• Using another persons work and making small changes should not be allowed unless permission by the original artist is given
• The basic integrity of the picture should be preserved!!!

Headline: "Shark Attacks Helicopter"

... but does it really?

Original photographs:

See more photo manipulations here

Unit 6 Activity 2

Unit 6 Activity 2: Photomontage

Capitalism With Its Friendly Dean Acheson Mask - Alexander Zhitomirsky 1952

     This political photomontage was created during the Cold War, a time when Zhitomirsky "employed the imagery of the surreal to evoke a world of false facades and hidden conspiracies, where the world of capitalism lurks behind a friendly mask..."
      I think this is a very effective expression of the message Zhitomirsky is trying to convey. You have to do a double take to fully grasp the concept of this image, but once you look at the growling wolf and the fact that it lays underneath the mask, it is easy to understand the deception Zhitomirsky is trying to capture.
      The most apparent technique that was used to create this photomontage was "Seeing through the lies." This image invites the viewer to "look behind the surface or see through something to gain greater insight into the truth" (Chapter 6).

Global Warming - Voice in the Dawn Design 

     A popular and somewhat controversial political topic is seen above in this contemporary photomontage which shows the struggle of global warming.
     This montage effectively conveys the struggle between fact and fiction when it comes to global warming. The artist utilizes a strong emotional appeal by using calming blues and purples, as well as using a young girl to be the face of the problem, evoking strong emotions in the viewers.  
     Some techniques that were used to create this photomontage include contrast and exaggeration of scale. In this, there is a very apparent difference between the water and ice and the dried out desert. The girl also stands out int his montage because of how big she is compared to the rest of the scenery.


Resources:
Check out the "Capitalism with its friendly Dean Acheson mask" photomontage here! Learn more about Alexander Zhitomirsky and his work.
Check out the Global Warming photomontage here!

Unit 6 Activity 1

Unit 6 Activity 1: Photomontage

Fading Away - Henry Peach-Robinson 1858

     Painters of the Victorian period might have criticized early photomontages because they altered the visual reality of what was actually being photographed. While painters could manipulate reality in their artwork, photomontages were a much more realistic form of manipulation, making the scene seem real. On the other hand, photomontages might have been extremely popular with the general public because they would be able to escape into a different world.
   
     There are two reasons I can think of for this revival of an old technique. One would be because nowadays it is much easier to do photomontages with computer programs like Adobe Photoshop and other editing software, and the second would be because the alternate reality that an artist can create is always popular among the general public, creating a demand for that type of artwork.

Resources:
Check out Henry Peach-Robinson here!

Unit 10 Activity 3

Unit 10 Activity 3: Stereotypes

Age/Generation:

As part of a generation defined by technology, I try my best to be in the moment with the people around me instead of spending all my time on my cell phone or the computer.

Gender:

Women are stereotyped in the role of house wife and other roles that are not true in today's society. I choose to be independent and live the way I feel fit in order to step away from the stereotypical woman. 

Intelligence:

Intelligence can mean a wide range of things, but I choose to hang out with people who share the same level of intelligence and also want to do well in school.

Athletic:

Some people think girls can't be good at sports, but being active is a huge part of my lifestyle so I don't let peoples outdated perspectives stop me from doing something that I love. By participating in school sports, as well as surrounding myself with people who like to do what I do, I find it much easier to this and just ignore all those people who tell me otherwise.

Personality:

Many people associate extroverts with partying (like in the movie Project X), but I find it is best to not care what other people think and dance to your own beat. Plus, many extroverts are happy just being around a few really good friends, which is what I tend to do. 

Unit 10 Activity 2

Unit 10 Activity 2: "Beauty" in the Media

Physical Characteristics

Male and Female Face:
Pretty eyes
Straight and white teeth
Plucked eyebrows
Symmetrical features
Distinct jaw line
Full lips
Smooth skin
NO facial hair
Beautiful hair

"Attractive"

 

In this photo the center of focus is supposed to be the perfume, however the strong lighting and use of cosmetics to enhance her face is what really draws the eye. Her cheeks are well defined and her eyes are outlined in dark brown make-up to make them stand out. Flawless skin and perfectly plucked eyebrows also add to the list of beautiful characteristics in her face.

"Unattractive" 

In this photo, the woman's frizzy hair is considered "unattractive"and is shown in the after shot in a more attractive manner. A sign of beauty in today's society can be dependent on simple things, like how  good someones hair looks.

1. Do you believe that media images or public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes?

2. Do you believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do any harm?

I believe that media images and public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes. If enough people say one thing, then even those people who might not have been fully convinced before come to believe the same things. Plus, the constant exposure to the media is what really drives it home and makes a lasting impression. 

I also believe that people admiring media images of glamorous models can do harm because the it creates unrealistic expectations for body types or how people should look in general. People look at those images and don't realize that they aren't even a realistic representation of the model because there is so much behind-the-scenes-editing that goes into the pictures.

Unit 10 Activity 1

Unit 10 Activity 1: Self Image

Age/Generation: My generation is stereotyped as the generation that doesn't think for themselves. With new technological advances everywhere, my generation is looked at as being lazy and not accomplishing anything for ourselves. I think this also divides us from the generation before us, because they look at my upcoming generation as immature an unimaginative.

Gender: Even in the 21st century, women are still not held to the same standards as men. Women are definitely a power to be reckoned with in the work force, but men still hold "better" positions and tend to be unfairly favored over women. Plus, there is still an expectation that women stay home with children and do the housework. In school, some people look at girls and think that they are not as good as others, which is a perspective that needs to be changed, but nonetheless divides us as a whole.

Intelligence: Intelligence is highly regarded among many, but those who think they don't match up to your "smartness" tend to shy away from even getting to know you. Once you are classified as "smart" there becomes the expectation that you will do everything perfect and need mess up.

Athletic: Athleticism is one of the few categories that is more of a definer rather than a way of division. There is a healthy level of respect for those who have the ability to play sports and work out.

Personality: Being an extrovert is, in general, a positive trait because more people are willing to get to know you, which is definitely a plus to a person's self-image.