Contact Sheet

9/29 Homework

             Benetton's controversial advertising most definitely contains strong examples of shock advertising, due to the images the clothing company often chose to use.  Though I do believe this kind of advertising often helps increase sales of a brand, I do not think it it is the most ethical way to get the public's attention.  Benetton exploited certain sensitive subject matters in order to create controversy and discussion about their company.  Although I am not one opposed to using shock value to generate buzz about a brand, I am opposed to most of the messages and images that Benetton chose to display in their advertising.  For example, I do not see the correlation between a clothing company and a family grieving over their son's death as a result of AIDS.  It is one thing to raise awareness about an important issue to show your company is giving back. It is another to simply take advantage of a world-wide problem and use it in advertising for your own benefit.  Although sales did increase frequently due to the many controversies, at the end of the day, I do not think Benetton was perceived as a company with honorable morals. 

9/22: Newseum Assignment

            Kevin Carter’s photograph of a starving Sudanese girl, definitely stood out to me the most in the Pulitzer exhibit. The angle in which this photo was taken is one of the most significant techniques, as it displays the subject matters in an interesting point of view. Also, the dark colors displayed help set the tone and mood of the photograph. Additionally, the location of the vulture forces the viewer to look at the starving child. Although there is a large focus on the vulture, I think the main subject matter is in fact the child. The blurry background also helps direct the viewer’s eye to the child.

            I was attracted to this image because I went to Africa in high school, and found myself struggling as I took photos of helpless, poverty-stricken children. As a result, I definitely connected emotionally with this photograph and Kevin Carter’s story. Although difficult to view, I love this photo, because in just one shot it is able to depict the harsh realities of what the country of Sudan was struggling with at this time.

8/31 Homework

    http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/17/aid-groups-preps-for-second-disaster-in-pakistan/

     This photograph, published alongside an article on CNN.com, displays many visual concepts discussed in Photo Idea Index, yet there are several which should be highlighted. Firstly, related to establishing the environment, a strong color contrast between the backdrop and the subject matter exists. As a result of the dark and dreary colors in the background and the vivid colors in the woman's outfit, the woman and child greatly stand out. Additionally, the positioning is significant, as this photo proves that the subject matter does not need to be positioned straight-on and centered to be a remarkable photograph. In fact, the positioning of the subject matter here actually has a more startling effect, as it makes the people living in this destruction feel much more real to the viewer. Lastly, the framing elements surrounding the subject matter, such as the gray building, do not take over the photo, but instead help direct the eye of the viewer to the woman and child.