Words

So, our next task of this "project" is about words and how they are used. It is now our job to take 4 photos from our shoot and to create an album cover, an advert strap line, an article headline and subtitle and a graffiti style parody. Now, when I first heard this next task I was not sure if I was excited or worried. I love the use of words in media and I think if you choose the right words you can create really powerful messages, but I was not sure if this was in my set of skills. I am quite a literate person, I enjoy reading and using big words, but using it for advertisement or media etc. I was not sure how well I'd succeed.

I started my creative process by deciding which photos I wanted to use. After trolling through the many photos I took I decided on the four, mainly because they were my favourite pictures, but also because I felt I could fit them into the types of media I needed.

I started with the photo on the left. I knew I wanted to use it for the album cover as it works in the square but also the minimalism of it I think is very striking. I began thinking what I was trying to show when taking the photo, and how I wanted it to look elegant and feminine. I then started researching synonyms of the word elegant, my search coming up with words such as fascination and exoticism. I then thought of the way her face is slightly covered, so I went along the lines of disguise or being hidden, so again I googled synonyms for fake, coming up with fictitious, flawed and counterfeit. I tried combinations of the words I had discovered such as 'Counterfeit Elegance' and 'Flawed Fascination' but, honestly, I thought they sounded a little pretentious. So, I went for a different angle and thought about how the photo looks elegant but the fact she has no other clothes on than her gloves could seem inappropriate. This then made me think of how, in modern society, nudity is not as frowned upon as it used to be, that elegance has gained a new meaning or there is, at least, a new view on it. And so with that in mind, I came up with '21st Century Elegance'.

The placement of the words I chose as I wanted to keep the minimalism of the picture. I also wanted only the title of the album on the cover, because I think it then keeps attention on the picture whilst also drawing some attention by being the only wording on it.

I chose the picture on the left as I thought the contrast between the black blanket and the white sheets was eye catching, but also how the subject looks peaceful yet disturbing could be interesting to form words to. I decided this picture would be used for my article headline and subtitle. I was keen to not do an article that you would find in a fashion magazine but rather a news paper or informative magazine. Once I decided on this, I thought of the idea almost straight away, so sadly there isn't much thought process with this. I do believe that different forms of media have and do romanticise physical, sexual and mental abuse, and so I thought the use of bed sheets and nudity connects with that subject matter, but also how still and unemotional she looks has its connections too. And so, I came up with the headline 'The Romanticisation of Abuse' because I think it is a shocking title and, along with the photo, would draw attention, and then the subtitle is simply explaining what the article would be about in a little more detail, whilst still drawing in an audience.

When it came to creating an advert I actually really struggled. I had chosen the picture on the left because I thought it was mysterious and could potentially be used to advertise a range of things. However, when it actually came to coming up with a concept, I was completely stumped. I love the picture but it was giving me no inspiration. So I simply got out my many magazines and turned pages until I saw a brand or a product which could be represented with this picture. I came to one of Giorgio Armani's fragrance ads and decided to cut out the bottle and place it along the body; fortunately for me it fit perfectly, curving with her shoulders and hips. It was then time to come up with a tag line or title, and so I came up with "The mystery that is Woman", inspired by the mystery of the shadow, and the use of a woman's figure. I then wrote this by hand along the bottom of the photo, on the white bed sheets. This is the one I was least happy with but happy enough to present it in my next seminar.

Again I struggled coming up with ideas for the graffiti/parody. For all I find myself funny, trying to be witty on purpose or with a purpose was really hard. My thought and only thought to try and pull this picture apart, was to think of other famous photos that have the same kind of pose. And then, as if out of thin air, an idea sprang to mind. I am a big fan of Marvel and DC superhero films and comics, and so Jared Leto's 'Joker' promo photos came to mind; how his hands are at his head and how he is bare chested. So going with that inspiration, I got my black fine liner and drew some of the tattoos he has on her chest, arms and face, then with my red fine liner made more of her red lips. Then to finish the picture I got my thick red pen and wrote in capitals across the top 'why so serious?'. The final image I was actually really happy with. I then managed to come up with what message this could get across; within fashion, you scarcely see models smiling and happy, they often look sullen and serious unless they are famous and well known, which I think is such a shame because I think smiling and positivity would sell a lot more, and so I am simply pointing out the lack of joy the fashion industry portrays.

I actually really enjoyed this task, as it really challenged me and made me think. This made me push my own creative boundaries but also made me look at the other angles of fashion and photography, and how it is/can be used.

Ta Ta for now, My Lovelies.

Miss Blue