How to view models
What is beauty?
Is it youth, power? Many of todays images in fashion and advertising portray a young slim model in strange and unrealistic positions advertising products and clothing. It is highly unlikely to see an older or larger model advertising anything in the high end fashion world, clothing and other advertised products are portrayed as only for the 'best.' Many of the images today show unrealistic situations of models in strange and uncomfortable poses to advertise something that has nothing to do with a pose. Arguments suggest this will sell a product more than if something is simple and 'normal' looking.
A female model is portrayed as someone to be looked at, adored and sexualised. In many of the images in fashion and advertising we see female models in 'sexy' poses, even for women's magazines. Although we see this everyday, it goes unnoticed, subconsciously I think this has an effect on women and younger girls, they see what is idealised and expected of a model of todays standards and causes anxieties; not having the 'perfect body' not being desirable, not looking the way women do on magazines with the hero of photoshop.
In a lot of the photos we see in fashion magazines and television are women looking vulnerable, although staged vulnerability it makes me wonder why a woman would feel comfortable in that position. I think women should empower themselves and show it though television and photographs, what we see today seems to be the opposite. Women seem submissive, childlike and helpless but sometimes looking straight at the camera as if to say; 'I know your looking at me.' Men play a huge part in this and I think most men directing a woman on camera would put her in these positions, not knowing the effect it has on some people but automatically making a woman seem less powerful. American Appeal is one of the worst for it.
This is an advert for perfume by Tom Ford
This is an ad for American Appeal
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Lesson task:
During this lesson, in groups, we recreated some fashion and advertising images. This gave each of us an understanding of what the model and photographer have to go through during a shoot. It also made me think about each position from both the model and the directors point of view. I found it harder to be the model, I do not like my picture being taken for a start, and having it taken in close up form and in an odd position made it more difficult to concentrate on the task. But it was fun and with the correct instructions I was able to stop laughing and strike a pose.
The images we selected were very staged and unnatural though beautiful. It was difficult copy the positions, some of the models had very angular shaped faces so we couldn't look quite as good, especially without the makeup. This task helped us as a group, I talked to people that I hadn't talked to before and directed them into a pose, it taught me to see what goes through the mind of a model and how specific I need to be when directing someone, to physically make the movement myself to show them what to do. It taught me to get up, close and personal with people I am not very familiar with in order to be ready for the real world.
Although this task was fun I felt a bit silly at times, in the hallway having someone walk past when I was in an awkward position. It felt very unnatural and uncomfortable at times. It is impressive to me that models can shut off from all that feeling and can be in control, relaxed and confident.
If I were to do this task again I would improve on it by preparing the models face by adding some makeup, I would study the original pictures first so I knew the poses well and could give very specific directions to the model without feeling unsure. I would prepare a background for the images, find a white space or make backdrop similar to the one shown in the original image. I would also learn the poses myself so I could confidently physically show the model the pose I was looking for, this will create better communication for me and the model and the image will most likely be a success.
If I were to do this task again I would improve on it by preparing the models face by adding some makeup, I would study the original pictures first so I knew the poses well and could give very specific directions to the model without feeling unsure. I would prepare a background for the images, find a white space or make backdrop similar to the one shown in the original image. I would also learn the poses myself so I could confidently physically show the model the pose I was looking for, this will create better communication for me and the model and the image will most likely be a success.
These are our re-enactments of fashion photographs:
After interviewing my partner doing this task with me, she said she found it a bit awkward and uncomfortable at first because the photo she was recreating showed the models mouths quite close together,. But once she was in the right mind set it was easier and fun, 'I can just zone out.' Being from a drama background made it easier for her to be so close to another person she doesn't know hat well. But she enjoyed the directing more than being the model.
After interviewing my partner doing this task with me, she said she found it a bit awkward and uncomfortable at first because the photo she was recreating showed the models mouths quite close together,. But once she was in the right mind set it was easier and fun, 'I can just zone out.' Being from a drama background made it easier for her to be so close to another person she doesn't know hat well. But she enjoyed the directing more than being the model.
