Political Photomontages

Find two examples of political photomontages that are either from a historical or contemporary source. Discuss in what context they have been produced and how effective you think they communicate their intended message. Also discuss the techniques that have been used to assemble the examples you have chosen and offer alternative ways that the artist could have put over the same message.

I found the two political photomontages below, both emphasizing war. In the photo on the left there's earth wearing a gas mask, the mask has the american flag in one eye and the soviet flag in the other along with nukes sticking out of it's mouth-piece. It was made to show how the whole world is in trouble during the cold war as both the US and Soviets have nukes armed and ready that could be set off at any moment. On the other hand, the photo on the right of Uncle Sam (death) saying he wants YOU to DIE for OIL. This was depicting the war former President Bush declared to get more oil. Many soldiers lives were lost just because of Bush's greed.

Painters Vs. Photographers During The Victorian Period

Briefly discuss why you think painters of the Victorian period might have criticized these early photomontages and why the pictures were popular with the general public. What two reasons can you think of for this revival of an old technique?

Photo By: Unknown

Photo By: Unknown

I think the painters of the Victorian period might have criticized these early photomontages so much because they were taking the spotlight over paintings. During this period the early photomontages were popular with the general republic because they were something new that looked cool. These day's I think the revival of this old technique is due to the technology we have. Moreover, it isn't restricted to just one style of art because of how much resources you have all over the internet.

Key Features In Portrait Photography

Look through assorted media, magazines, internet and collect four portrait photographs. The environment should be a key feature in two of the four images. Describe the subject's charachter in each of the images. What can you see within the image that leads you to these conclusions about the subject's character.

I got these photo's from one of my favorite photographers in the skate game right now, Jacob Messex. The two photo's on the right of a dude cruising in his ride makes him look hard because of the way it's framed. Moreover the one below of a dude chilling on the courts was also framed behind a fence and only lighting the subject to emphasize the mood.

Photo By: Jacob Messex

Photo By: Jacob Messex

Photo By: Jacob Messex

Photo By: Jacob Messex

Importance Of Framing In Portraits

Find four portraits that demonstrate the different ways a photographer has framed the image to alter the design and content. Discuss the vantage point, depth of field and subject placement in all of the images.

The four photo's below are good examples to follow when you're out and about shooting. In the underwater portrait by Jenna Martin she used the surface to give a distorted reflection look above, along with the blue background to contrast the subject. Moreover, in the two photo's below taken by Steve McCurry were framed to make the subject stand out against the background using shallow depth of field and contrasting colors. Lastly the photo taken by Alberto Monteraz was framed to where the woman is at the center point of the street with leading lines.

Photo By: Jenna Martin

Photo By: Steve McCurry

Photo By: Alberto Monteraz

Photo By: Steve McCurry

Foreground & Background In Portrait Photography

 Collect four portrait images with two to five subjects. In at least on image the subject should have been placed in the foreground. Comment on the arrangement of the subjects in relation to the camera and the effectiveness of the design.

The two photos on the top row were taken by me, I placed the subjects in the foreground and the with eye-catching backgrounds to give more depth to the photo. Moreover, the other two photo's were taken by Steph McCurry who also uses a lot of foreground/background photography.

Photo By: Jakob Barlow

Photo By: Jakob Barlow

Photo By: Steph McCurry

Photo By: Steph McCurry

Social Pressures

How have you responded to social pressures to conform by adopting an appearance that relates to the categories that you feel you have placed in or have chosen?
To be honest I don't really care what others think about me when they first see me. I choose to be more educated so when someone comes up to me and begins to socialize I can hold a steady conversation about anything. So the social pressures others think of when they first see me as an uneducated native goon I can surprise them with who I really am.

Beauty Standards Put Out By The Media Then Enforced By The Public

List the physical characteristics that we have come to admire in both the male and female face and write 100 words in response to the following questions:

1. Do you believe that media images or public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes.
I believe the images the media puts out into the public are responsible for the characteristics of beauty  becoming universal stereotypes. Not only the media is responsible for what the world sees as beautiful, the people's minds are routinely being fed images the the media labels as true beauty and overtime they actually begin to believe what the media puts out is what real beauty is and then shun and mistreat others who don't fit into societies standards. Therefore, both the media and public opinion are both responsible for universal beauty stereotypes.

Photo By: Chris Fifita

2. Do you believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do any harm?
I do not believe that people admiring images of glamorous models the media puts out can do harm to a certain extent. When people start seeing these "glamorous" models and begin to change themselves into something the public sees as "glamorous" it then becomes a problem. Often people become depressed because they start to believe they are ugly just because they don't look how the models look in magazines.

Art By: Kyle Simpson