Montage: Activity 4

Find two examples of photomontages that are either from a commercial source or from a fine art background. Discuss in what context they have been produced and what techniques they share with political photomontages.
What messages, if any, are communicated through these photomontages and how effective do you think they are? Consider different ways that each image could have been tackled by the artist and come up with an idea for ‘another in the series’.

Image by Thomas Barbèy

Image by Léopold Lambert

Both of these photomontages are from a fine art background. Techniques they share with political photomontages is manipulating photos to expose what is wrong in the world. These two images show the effects of how we have treated our planet. The first shows rhinos walking around an icy setting. This is poking at the global warming issue. It shows that the glaciers are going to totally melt, and a climate suitable for animals, such as rhinos, will be created. The other image shows a massive building raised on tiny stilts, with the ground under it crumbling and a destructive fire in the background. This image is also showing that we are destroying Earth. We continue to build large structures and not care how they may affect its surroundings. It is referring to the fact that we are destroying our planet so much that one day it may be completely destroyed and take us down with it. The global warming image could have added a sun for effect (the heat is making the ice melt) and the building picture could have added mutilated trees.

Montage: Activity 3

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 is aware as to the extent of the manipulation.

Editors that manipulate photographic images should not:

• Pretend their altered images real
• Change peoples views to make them believe something that is not true
• Alter the picture so that it changes the entire meaning of the picture
• Alter the picture so that it comes off as offensive
• Manipulate political images

Image Found On http://www.vincentphoto.com/blog/2011/11/18/friday-links-7/

Editors should:

• Clearly state the fact that the image is altered
• Keep the picture relatively similar to how it was before
• Ensure that their alterations are inoffensive

Image By Michael Oswald

Montage: Activity 2

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.
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.

Image found on http://emilygreensphotos.blogspot.com

Image found on http://emilygreensphotos.blogspot.com

   The image on the left shows a city from our past, with a city from current times on top. It was produced to make us think about how much we have advanced our cities. The bottom image shows shorter buildings that are no more than 3 stories, while the top image shows tall skyscrapers that reach towards the sky. It effectively communicates its intended message by showing just how different the buildings are. The artist puts the skyscrapers in the background behind the city, making our eyes first start on the bottom, older picture, and then moving up towards the skyscrapers. They could have made it look more like the skyscrapers are a part of the picture and make it look as if they are right behind the buildings.

   The image on the right shows a gas mask with missiles coming out of it. In the eye holes, the American and Soviet Union flags can be seen. I believe that the author was trying to compare the United States and it's once-enemy Soviet Union. It is showing that even though we say that the Soviet Union is bad and does not do the right stuff, we are much more similar to them then we may believe. It essentially symbolizes the repercussions of what will happen should the nuclear war happen and how it will affect the whole world.

Montage: Activity 1

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. (This technique of piecing together separate images to create one picture is again very popular with both artists and the media).
What two reasons can you think of for this revival of an old technique?

 Painters of the Victorian period might have criticized these early photomontages because they are unrealistic and might not be considered art. The pictures were popular with the general public because they are interesting and makes the audience try to figure out what the artist is trying to say through their pictures. One reason that this old technique has been revived is because it is unique and different. It also makes the audience think about its inner meanings and metaphors. Using photoshop today, we can make much more advanced images that look more bizarre.

Self Image: Activity 3

Consider some of the social pressures that you think may shape your behavior and personal image. List the images most commonly associated with the categories or ‘boxes’ you have already listed in Activity 1.
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?

Some of the social pressures that shape my behavior and personal image is looking and acting a certain way. Because I'm a teen, I have to always wear makeup and wear cute clothes and not act serious or mature. If people don't do the same things that other teens do, people think of them as different or weird. Because I'm a girl I have to always do my hair, wear makeup, and like to dress up and look pretty. Some of the times I do enjoy dressing up, but usually I just want to wear my onesey, but my hair up in a crazy bun, and wear no makeup. Because I'm smart and introverted, people think that I'm not supposed to be interested in my appearance or clothes, when really I do dress like the majority of teens. I do tend to just throw my hair up in a pony-tail because I'm lazy, instead of always having my hair down straight or curled, which many girls consider a no-no. 

Self Image: Activity 2

Find images in the media, which have been used to represent attractive and unattractive aspects of the human face. Examine and record carefully the photographic techniques used to accentuate both these qualities, drawing up a list that relates to the images you have found. 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?
2. Do you believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do any harm?


Attractive: The photographer used soft lighting in the picture to give the woman a smooth face. They also used shadows to highlight the contours of her face. They also used very warm colors to give the viewers a warm, loving feeling. Some characteristics that we have come to admire in both male and female faces are symmetry, pretty eyes, high cheekbones. long eyelashes, small noses, and smooth skin.

image found on http://www.rebelcmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/wow-sexy-face-cute-beautiful-pretty-brunette-close-up-amazing-Beauty-amazing-eyes-faces-Kobiety-k-album-ceca-beatiful-ladies-3-17-10-Love-Couples-lovers-lo.jpg

Unattractive: The photographer used hard like in this picture. Most likely the camera was not a very good one. They did not do any editing on the two women, because it was at a jail. We have come to be disgusted with wrinkles, fat, big noses, big foreheads, thin lips, or bags under the eyes.


Image found on http://topicalteaching.com/tag/hard-drugs-can-ruin-the-human-face/

1. I think that the media is responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes. Movies, shows, music videos, magazines, and the internet make people believe that you have to be thin (or swol for a guy), with a symmetrical face, and perfect  hair. Back in the day people believed that women with curves were the characteristic of beauty. Then the modeling business set in and had thin girls flaunt their clothes. Eventually people who looked at the models began to think that you have to be thin to be beautiful.

2. I think that it depends on who the person is that is looking at media images of glamorous models. If that person is mentally unstable and thinks badly of themselves then these pictures of perfect models may make them think even worse about themselves. But if someone is fine with who they are then it is perfectly fine to look at these images. It gives girls ideas about fashion and makeup and even gives some girls hopes to become models one day.

Self Image: Activity 1

Make a personal list of the categories you belong to or have conflict with and visual symbols that are associated with each. Aspirations and expectations should also be listed. 
1. Age/generation - is can dictate levels of independence afforded to the individual.
The older generation often group us youngsters into one group. They assume that we are all immature and crazy kids that are obsessed with twerking, planking, and all the other fads. They believe that we steal, yell profanity, and speed while driving. While there are many kids like this, there are a lot that are mature and make good choices.
(Image found on http://style.chariweb.com/2011_01_23_archive.html)

2. Gender - Our sex affects the way we are treated by some individuals.

I personally have not faced conflict with this category. I do know that many men do not believe that women can work, lead, or drive. While men are typically stronger, women can still do the same things that they can do.
(Image found on http://addrive.blogspot.com/2010/10/from-woman-can-open-it-to-smell-my.html)

3. Race - Prejudice and perceived racial superiority can affect hopes and aspirations. 

I personally have not faced conflict with this category. I am made up of a mixture of races, such as white, asian, and native american. Some people think that white people are lazy, asians have to be smart, and native americans all wear moccasins and live on reservations.

4. Religion - Moral codes and ideologies that serve to guide, unite and divide. 

I do not fit myself into any specific religion. I believe what I wish to believe, whether the ideas come from Christians, Jews, or Buddhists. The only conflict that I may deal with this is that people think that my beliefs are wrong.

5. Class or caste - A classification that an individual may never escape from. 

My family is middle class. We do not fit into the classification of rich "snotty" people or poor "sketchy" people.

6. Personality - Extrovert and introvert are classifications of personality. 

I am a very introverted person. People tend to treat me differently and think of me differently because of it. They believe that just because I am not as outspoken as they are it means that I am something that needs to be fixed. People constantly ask me "why are you so quiet?" and classify me as 'that quiet girl'. What they don't realize is that being introverted is not something you can just switch off.
(image by Dawd Billings)

7. Intelligence - educational establishments, based on IQ, often segregate us. 

I am a very intelligent person, no bragging intended. I take almost all AP and Honors classes, and get good grades in them. People believe that just because I am smart it makes me a nerd or a geek that doesn't get out and have fun but instead stays home to study every day. This belief is quite wrong though because I like hanging out with friends, going to the movies, or going to the mall.
(Image found on http://www.mastersinit.org/geeks-vs-nerds/)

8. Political persuasion - Left wing or right wing. Each carries its own ideology.
I personally am not sure whether I believe in the Democratic ideology or the Republican ideology. I don't fully understand politics and each side enough, so I do not classify myself as one or the other. My parents are open-minded Democrats, so when I do have to make a decision with what I am, I tend to go with Democratic. People on both sides of the two main political groups often tend to clash and believe that the other side is completely wrong when both sides have good ideas.