I have decided to create a magazine page to experiment what my images would look like in my book if I were to create a magazine style book.

I have researched on many previous students’ work that have revolved around women’s’ equality, beauty and fashion magazines and Cindy Sherman’s entitled film skills. By researching these different themes of femininity in photobooks I am able to choose the specific layout and style of book that will compliment my work of the juxtaposition between fashion magazine modelling and how it undermines, humiliates and sexualises women, BUT also how feminist movements and support is helping to shift these stereotypes.

EXAMPLES:

Here are some layout examples of modern day fashion, celebrity and gossip magazines. However has my images vary in themes styles and eras, I am struggling to figure out a way that can differ my photoshoots and their different meanings.

TEMPLATE:

MY MAGAZINE:

EXAMPLE OF AN AIM:

This is an example of a magazine that could be a usual, mainstream fashion magazine which has women empowerment, but is also slightly stereotypical by including celebrity gossip and ‘style tips’ as opposed to women’s stories and empowerment about a ‘new wave of beauty’ and how being natural and yourself is not ‘not beautiful’.

PAST STUDENT WORK INSPIRATION.

By researching this style of photobook I have gained ideas on layout content and photographs. This past student’s work is very similar to what I would like to create apart from few minor details. I would like my photobook to include at least 3 different magazines inside. This past students work of ‘Leah and Lilly Sutherland’s’ work has helped me to direct the type of work I would like to create in progress with my personal study project. They have incorporated fashion into their photography and used well known brands such as Mac and Dior to impersonate promoting these brands through modelling. This is particularly inspiring for me and has shown me ideas on how to layout my images for my middle section of my photobook which will include a magazine for promoting products through the objectification of women and stereotyping them into believing they must look good, smell good and please the male gender in order to be attractive and successful.

LAYOUT IDEAS:

I would like my photobook to include 3 different viewpoints and interpretations of magazines. This would show the viewer the types of negative and positive messages that are shared in mainstream media and highlight the key difference between them. The front cover would differ from the magazine. I would like my first magazine to have its own front cover style first page and include photographs from the photoshoot which relates to that era and style of photographs. I would like my second section to also then have a magazine style front cover and include images hat are edited in photoshop to example articles and spreads in media products that pressures and create negative imagery for young people to want to spend their money on in order to fit the demographic of the young beautiful idealistic woman. The last magazine will also have a magazine style front cover and then include images that are simply displaying fashion and do not dehumanise or objectify women and instead show them as having possession of power and authority.

Front Cover Idea.

The front cover would be a basic cover not related to either of the three magazines but more an overview of the general message. Most likely I would like to include images that I have taken in a previous photoshoot of my 3 models. These images show women showing their natural personalities. These images show my 3 models that are used within the book in their normal clothes displaying whatever behaviour they feel at the time of being photograph. I believe that this shows a more authentic natural display of these women and how they stay positive and strong regardless of the hardships and difficulties they face.

First Magazine Interpretation Idea.

One would be portraying a negative, dehumanising style of magazine that is forcing negative stereotypes on women and how they should be this, beautiful and attractive at all times in order to please the male gender. This style would be from my Cindy Sherman inspired photoshoot and display a more ‘old fashioned’ way of portraying women. This is to show how time began with media’s portrayal of women and how women directed magazines raised women to think and act.

Here are some examples of women’s magazines which influence women to have negative views of themselves and also influence men to have patriarchal unequal views on their wives, girlfriends and women as a whole.

Examples of traditional newspapers from within this time period:

From Marilyn Monroe to Cindy Crawford: A Historical Analysis of Women’s Body Image Depicted in Popular Magazines from 1952 to 1995

• Harper’s Bazaar
• Glamour
• Woman’s day
• Flair
• The Ladies’ Mercury
• A Lady’s Year
• Vogue
• A vintage view

Here are some quotes I could include in my front cover in this magazine and also throughout my images of the first section.

• How to look beautiful now.
• How you can be more beautiful in 1958

Examples of the type of images to be included in section 1.

Second Magazine Interpretation Idea.

The next magazine style would be a more modern day ‘gossip magazine style which portrays women in a typically less human way but also still focuses on gossip, drama and invading peoples personal lives, whilst also promoting fashion and style products. I would like this magazine to focus on a slightly younger girls and how gender expectations and stereotypes are used to convince girl to purchase goods and products such as makeup, perfume and clothing.

Examples of traditional newspapers from within this time period:

• In Touch Weekly
• Us Weekly
• Closer
• Women’s Health
• OK!
• PEOPLE Magazine

Here are some quotes I could include in my front cover in this magazine and also throughout my images of the second section.

• Get slim detox diet
• Makeup to cover all those insecurities
• Smell better, attract better
• Longer, leaner, legs- dress to look taller
• Dress to impress the boys this summer
• Win a full makeover to WOW your boyfriend

Examples of the type of images to be included in section 2.

Third Magazine Interpretation Idea.

The next magazine style would be a more modern day women’s empowerment style magazine which displays women as strong and powerful. This section will target a niche market and display women in the way they should be which is inspirational. This is to highlight the future of advertising and how it should be in order to motivate and encourage women to celebrate themselves.

Examples of traditional newspapers from within this time period:

• Vogue
• Professional Women’s Magazine
• Rebellion
• Women
• Power

Here are some quotes I could include in my front cover in this magazine and also throughout my images of the third section.

• Break your silence
• The fresh faces of feminism
• Share your voice. Stand up

Examples of the type of images to be included in section 3.

Here is an example of a more empowering magazine. This magazine would be about empowering all forms of femininity, beauty, and individuality. By encourage women to be confident, smart, and independent. This differs from mainstream media products and targets more of a niche market of women who are seeking inspirational and empowering content.

1. Research a photo-book and describe the story it is communicating  with reference to subject-matter, genre and approach to image-making.

2. Who is the photographer? Why did he/she make it? (intentions/ reasons) Who is it for? (audience) How was it received? (any press, reviews, awards, legacy etc.)

3. Deconstruct the narrative, concept and design of the book and apply theory above when considering:

• Book in hand: how does it feel? Smell, sniff the paper.
• Paper and ink: use of different paper/ textures/ colour or B&W or both.
• Format, size and orientation: portraiture/ landscape/ square/ A5, A4, A3 / number of pages.
• Binding, soft/hard cover. image wrap/dust jacket. saddle stitch/swiss binding/ Japanese stab-binding/ leperello
• Cover: linen/ card. graphic/ printed image. embossed/ debossed. letterpress/ silkscreen/hot-stamping.
• Title: literal or poetic / relevant or intriguing.
• Narrative: what is the story/ subject-matter. How is it told?
• Structure and architecture: how design/ repeating motifs/ or specific features develops a concept or construct a narrative.
• Design and layout: image size on pages/ single page, double-spread/ images/ grid, fold- outs/ inserts.
• Editing and sequencing: selection of images/ juxtaposition of photographs/ editing process.
• Images and text: are they linked? Introduction/ essay/ statement by artists or others.  Use of captions (if any.)

UNDERSTANDING PHOTOBOOKS:
NARRATIVE, EDITING, SEQUENCING, DESIGN, FORM, FUNCTION 

Mother- Matthew Finn.

INFORMATION:

HARDBACK= 280MM x 200MM

ISBN= 978-1-911306-14-6

PAGES= 96 PAGES

LANGUAGE= ENGLISH

PUBLISHER= DEWI LEWIS PUBLISHING

PUBLICATION DATE= NOVEMBER 7, 2017

DIMENSIONS= 11.46 X 0.63 X 9.45 INCHES

ITEM WEIGHT= 1.6 POUNDS

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOGRAPHER MONOGRAPHS= BEST SELLER RANK NO. 3195

PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY= BEST SELLER RANK NO. 5823

Matthew Finn Qualifications.

• MA Photographic Studies (University of Westminster)
• BA Photographic Studies (University of Derby)

Matthew Finn Teaching.

• BA (Hons) Photography at Arts University Bournemouth
• BA (Hons) Photography at Lincoln University
• BA (Hons) Photography at University of Wolverhampton
• MA Fine Art at University of Wolverhampton

Matthew Finn Awards.

Jerwood/Photoworks Award- 2015

1. Research a photo-book and describe the story it is communicating  with reference to subject-matter, genre and approach to image-making.

This book is a representation of Matthew Finn’s mother, Jean. He decided to photograph her in her home in Leeds in order to record and document her life as she ages and lifestyles change. The photos are reflecting a meaningful and touching overview of parents dealing with loneliness, old age and death. The bond between mother and son is also displayed throughout as relationships change and evolve through time. The quote “For my mother and I, this switch of roles was quick. Diagnosed with mixed dementia two years ago, she fell silent and our collaboration was over. I no longer exist to her and she cannot recognise herself. What remains are these pictures” demonstrates how mental issues and illnesses can both affect the person but also those closest to them. Adaptation to lifestyle changes cause emotional damage and this book was created to explore and spread a message about the fragility of life and how domestic changes affect a child. Creating images of his mother became a routine and a comfort to Matthew Finn as a way to appreciate and remember his mother throughout difficult times in their life. Small aspects of his mothers personality and style are repeated throughout such as her hair and significant clothing she treasured. The feeling of needing to protect and support his mother is reflected throughout. After being diagnosed with dementia, his images were no longer able to be captured, so this book is used as a way to reminisce and remember his mother as her true self before illness. The quote “I’ve lived a good life” demonstrates how no matter what hardships and obstacles his other has faced, she is still grateful and positive about the life she has lived.

2. Who is the photographer? Why did he/she make it? (intentions/ reasons) Who is it for? (audience) How was it received? (any press, reviews, awards, legacy etc.)

I chose to research this specific photobook as I believe it contrasts the work I am currently studying of Helmut Newton. My chosen photographer of Helmut Newton, demonstrates high-quality, glamourous fashion images used to promote clothing and products, whereas in contrast, these images focus on the documentation of the life of the older generation and highlight the not so glamourous and idealistic aspects of life. The models displayed in Helmut Newton’s images are photographed for fame, money and attention, whereas Matthew Finn’s mother was photographed as to be photographed is to be appreciated, to be seen and wanted which is an activity where his mother could feel needed and was able to express herself by taking role in what looked good and what she didn’t like. I find it very interesting that Matthew Finn did not mean for his project to become so meaningful and important to him as when he began photographing his mother he believed he created the book “Because she was there! I was about 16 in 1987. I’d just become seriously interested in photography and needed people – things – to take pictures of,” I find this particularly inspiring as something so basic as needing someone to photograph became a popular and touching lifelong project which highlights moments of hope, struggle and frailty are conveyed through Finn’s unceasingly compassionate filial gaze. The photographs are not portraits in the usual sense of the word, yet they are an account of a life, a deeply humanistic response to a set of human circumstances. Whilst viewing this piece of art the audience is able to join the photographer and his mother on a journey of life and how his mother has aged and how some particular habits never die out. These images may relate to viewers and help to consider the meaning of life an dhow their own parental figures have a larger and more significant role in their life than they’d think. By sharing these images, Matthew Finn is displaying only one journey of a single, aging parent in Britain, which represents a certain social class and culture. However, In reality multiple social classes, ethnicity and types of people all still deal with grief, loneliness and solidarity throughout life, especially in such a crucial stage of life such as motherhood.

Photo-Layout.

Matthew Finn’s book layout consists of a hardback book containing a beginning page of wallpaper from his mothers home. This beginning page creates an immediate homely, calm feeling of a mothers comfort and how even though he no longer lives in that house, the wallpaper will immediately remind him of childhood nostalgia and looking back. It is then followed by the title of the book ‘Mother’ and the photographers name “Matthew Finn”, followed by a signed signature personally by the author and the publisher in a small font below.

The book then continues to a small 2 page explanation of touching moments in his mothers life such as different times he has taken images of her over the 30 years and how this project was not carefully ordered material but in fact a need to create stability and a ritual that he was not able to abandon. This essay helps to introduce the reader into the images there are going to view and provides an overview to the love, loss and hardship his mother faced throughout the period of 30 years he photographed her in her home. By doing this, the reader will feel a sense of familiarity and care for the mother and sympathise or empathise with the emotions and struggles she faced, alongside the happy and positive moments she shared with her son.

His book then consists of around 90 images of his mother which are displayed as single images, double page images and occasional images with a white border around them. However, these three formats create a theme throughout the book as all the images are presented similarly but differ slightly.

I can see this because in some images she is looking and posing or the camera whilst smoking, talking, writing, drinking cooking or cleaning. This demonstrates her daily duties in her life and her routine in life at her household. and in others she is mid-motion and not looking at the camera.

The majority of the images are of the woman herself, however, some of the images are of her possessions and objects in her home such as picture frames, her sofa, tables and rooms. These images are to show her possessions and how they have meaning and purpose in her life as memories and comfort items.

The title ‘Mother’- is a straightforward, to the point title highlighting who and what the book is about. The word mother immediately displays to the reader that the person is a parental figure who is an important part in the artists life. The narrative is a story of his mothers life throughout the 30 years and how her physical appearance has changed and how she can been affected by old age and illness. The photos have a trend of candid or documentary photography styles. The structure consists of a concept and narrative of basic everyday life, but instead romanticises a comfort with everyday routine and how her life goes on despite outside events. All the photos are in black and white which is a trend amongst them all as it shows they are all equal and of equal matter. It also shows a more solemn and dismal view as the dark tones show a sense of loneliness and sadness which the mother experiences. Although the images are taken along 30 years the editing of black and white are all similar although technology has evolved massively over time.

QUESTION IDEA- How are women portrayed in art by the work of Helmut Newton in comparison to the work of Cindy Sherman’s untitled film stills?

DEADLINE: Essay Introduction Draft MUST be handed in Thursday 18 Dec 2024

DEADLINE: Final Essay MUST be handed in Fri 31 Jan 2025

Literary sources: Go to this blog post here: Theory: Literary Sources and copy relevant key texts relating to the subject of your essay and list in alphabetical order in your bibliography. In addition, find your own key texts in relation to artists selected for in-depth analysis in your essay and list these too. These texts could be interviews with the artist, or reviews/ critique’s written by others. See useful online sites/ sources here .

• Research and identify 3-5 literary sources from a variety of media such as books, journal/magazines, internet, Youtube/video that relates to your personal study and artists references .
• Begin to read essay, texts and interviews with your chosen artists as well as commentary from critics, historians and others.
• It’s important that you show evidence of reading and draw upon different pints of view – not only your own.
• Take notes when you’re reading…key words, concepts, passages, page number to be used for in-text referencing etc.

Essay Question Ideas

possible-essay-questions-to-investigate

Essay Plan
Make a plan that lists what you are going to write about in each paragraph – essay structure

• Introduction (250-500 words): What is your area study? Which artists will you be analysing and why? How will you be responding to their work and essay question?
• Pg 1 (500 words): Historical/ theoretical context within art, photography and visual culture relevant to your area of study. Make links to art movements/ isms and some of the methods employed by critics and historian. 
• Pg 2 (500 words): Analyse first artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.
• Pg 3 (500 words): Analyse second artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.
• Conclusion (250-500 words): Draw parallels, explore differences/ similarities between artists/photographers and that of your own work that you have PRODUCED.

‘To photograph is to appropriate the thing photographed.’ (Sontag 1977:4)

Photographs alter and enlarge our notions of what is worth looking at and what we have the right to observe.

Bibliography: List all relevant sources used:

Sontag,S. (1977) ‘In Plato’s Cave’ in On Photography. London: Penguin Books.

Mulvey, L. (1973) ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema’ in Screen (1975)

Avgikos, J (2002) ‘Cindy Sherman: Burning Down the House’ in Well, L. The Photography Reader. London: Routledge.

Judith Butler is an academic and writer who is an authority on feminism and gender studies, incl queer theory. Her seminal book is: Gender Trouble which we do have a copy of in the Library LRC and in Media. Here is a good overview of her work – make sure you read it all and watch video as well.

Butler, J. (2019). ‘Gender as Performance: Judith Butler’ in Dixon, M. Media Theory for A-Level Students. London: Routledge.

1. How is the work of Claude Cahun and Cindy Sherman questioning the politics of gender and female stereotypes?

2. Compare how Cindy Sherman and Phoebe Jane Barrett challenge gender stereotypes in their work.

3. How are woman portrayed in art by the work of Helmut Newton and Edouard Manet with reference to Berger’s book, ‘Ways of seeing.’

QUESTION IDEAS:

Essay:

Essay:

Essay question: How are women portrayed in art by the work of Helmut Newton in comparison to the work of Cindy Sherman’s untitled film stills?

• Introduction (250-500 words): What is your area study? Which artists will you be analysing and why? How will you be responding to their work and essay question?

The representation of gender roles and stereotypes have been interpreted in multiple ways and in many different forms throughout history. As a society, the world has begun to slowly adjust its ways and modernise values upon women into an equal balance between genders. However, along the way artists and photographers have shone light onto areas of society and media which demoralize and objectify the female gender for others’ gratification. Traditional gender stereotypes have been criticized and modified as individuals fight for attention to their true and deeper self instead of reducing them to mere physical appearances, By exploring how women are portrayed in art by different photographers throughout time, I am able to shine light on different views and interpretations from artists, both past and present. “Photographs alter and enlarge our notions of what is worth looking at and what we have the right to observe.” (reference quote using Harvard system of referencing) This quote portrays the purpose of exploring human perception of the world and highlighting the beauty in appreciating the smaller details that are essential to be exposed otherwise might go unnoticed by us as a society. This quote relates to my work as I am focusing on an area of the world which raises ethical and philosophical questions around the topics of overstepping a boundary and distorting female identities and worth to fit narrow beauty standards.

(in the introduction you need to describe which artists and their work you will be investigating and how you will be responding to their work producing new images – see points below)

• Think about an opening that will draw your reader in e.g. you can use an opening quote that sets the scene. Or think more philosophically about the nature of photography and its feeble relationship with reality.
• You should include in your introduction an outline of your intention of your study, e.g.
• What are you going to investigate?
• How does this area/ work interest you?
• What are you trying to prove/challenge, argument/ counter-argument?
• Whose work (artists/photographers) are you analysing and why?
• What historical or theoretical context is the work situated within?
• What links are there with your previous studies?
• What have you explored or experimented with so far in your photography project?
• How will your work develop.
• What camera skills, techniques or digital processes have you used, or going to experiment with?

• Pg 1 (500 words): Historical/ theoretical context within art, photography and visual culture relevant to your area of study. Make links to art movements/ isms and some of the methods employed by critics and historian. 

The idea of ‘The Male Gaze’ was introduced by Laura Mulvey who explored this concept of the way ‘straight, white men’ see women in TV, cinema and print work. Throughout time, movements such as 1st and 2nd wave feminism protested for men and women to be treated as rational beings and women have the rights to social and political rights. Sexism and misogyny are continuous stigmas between women and men. However, the Women’s Liberation Movement introduced the process of ‘Consciousness Raising’ in which they highlighted and opposed the systematic ways in which boys and girls are brought up with the assumption that the male is always superior to the female. By raising movements such as these, groups such as the Suffragettes announced their beliefs on equality and succeeded in raising awareness as feminist critical thinking became much more prominent and pronounced during the counter cultural movements of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Laura Mulvey’s work on ‘The Male Gaze’ in cinema and TV contributes to my work as photographers such as Helmut Newton, focus on this target audience of a ‘straight white man’ in order to increase sales and engagement. The concept of ‘Scopophilia’ and ‘Narcissism’ perfectly portrays Newton’s work and its purpose which is to give a patriarchal audience the opportunity to view images disguised as fashion promotion in a normalised voyeuristic manner. The quote “Cinematic codes create a gaze, a world, and an object, thereby producing an illusion cut to the measure of desire.” 9reference quote using Harvard system of referencing) applies to my view as I believe that small elements such as lighting, angles and editing all contribute to an audiences perception of this particular repeated narrative of voyeurism and female objectification in order to satisfy the heterosexual male viewers. By researching such popular and oppositional photographers I have been able to gain awareness on both viewpoints

• Pg 2 (500 words): Analyse first artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.

PARAGRAPH 2- Helmut Newton+ Image Analysis+ theorist

• Pg 3 (500 words): Analyse second artist/photographer in relation to your essay question. Present and evaluate your own images and responses.

PARAGAPH 3- Cindy Sherman+ Image Analysis+ theorist

• Conclusion (250-500 words): Draw parallels, explore differences/ similarities between artists/photographers and that of your own work that you have PRODUCED.

that perpetuate harmful stereotypes and unrealistic expectations.

• Opening quote

Photographs alter and enlarge our notions of what is worth looking at and what we have the right to observe.

Sontag,S. (1977) ‘In Plato’s Cave’ in On Photography. London: Penguin Books.

For my photoshoot I would like to look more at female empowerment and the future of women’s rights and how they are being portrayed in more positive way as times continue. This photoshoot will show a more positive light on women and how times have evolved to empower them instead of restrict them to certain values and opinions. This photoshoot will be created to show woman who are capable and headstrong with knowledge and intelligence.

For this photoshoot, I will take pictures in a house which is an out of school photoshoot to display women with power and almost being over-dramatic about their posing and expressions. Another interesting component of this photoshoot, is that these women will be young adults of the age of 18, instead of a women ages e.g. 30, who has lived a life to develop into who she is. Due to these girls’ age, it creates a meaning that it does not depend on age, when a girl can be powerful and self-confident. I would like to focus on posing and how, the way you come across, demonstrates your power and confidence.

Helmut Newton References.

My images are being produced In response to Helmut Newton’s work, however, my images will display similar signifiers in his work such as the topics of dominance, confidence and power. Although Newton’s work is controversial for being either critical of women or empowering women, I would like to explore different aspects of his work, as some of his images are seen to be empowering, and some more disparaging. The conflict of emotions towards his work argue whether his images are empowering the woman as his work surrounds themes such as power and control, instead of submission and manipulation. In my photoshoot, I am going to be interpreting Helmut Newton’s work surrounding themes of dominance control and power, but my work will be highlighting the difference in empowerment and objectification. I will do this by having a similar style of photographs, but have my models be glamorous and celebrated not glamourous and subordinate.

Here are some examples of images I would like to include in my photoshoot outside of school in response to his work.

These photos are perfect representations of images I would like to produce in my own photoshoot. I want my models to look elegant and posed in similar situations to this. I am choosing this style of photos out of his different genres as I feel these images display the classy and glamorous yet voyeuristic style of images where the women are dressed up. I want my models to pose in a confident manner to show they are self-aware and strong, contrasting with stereotypical portrayals of women.

My Photoshoot:

I would like my 3/4 models to initially be dressed in long black dresses with red lipstick and long straight hair. This is to demonstrate the stereotypical powerful woman during this time period. However, I would also like to experiment with different outfits and hairstyle and makeup in order to replicate different images and create an impression of fashion photography in response to Helmut Newton’s work. I would like to initially start with black dresses as many of his photos feature this type of outfit. However, I am attempting to provide similar extravagant clothing. Here are some outfit ideas I would like to include in my photographs. Pieces such as long dresses, black trousers, blazers, heels, tights and coats, all with darker tones I think will really boost my images to look more similar to his work.

Posing Ideas.

These poses give me ideas on how to show power, confidence and beauty. These are a wide range of things I would like to focus on in order to relate to the idealised view of a woman and how they are portrayed, vs how they really are. I really want to convey a message about how women are portrayed and how the line between glamour and class and objectification and humility is able to be hidden easily in the fashion world.

Photoshoot-My Favourite Images:

I chose to put these photographs into black and white in order to relate closer to Helmut Newton’s work. I feel like these fashion magazine inspired photographs are a good modern day representation of his work. I had 3 modes in different but similar outfits of long dark dresses and sunglasses. I feel like this was one of my more successful photoshoots which demonstrate an array of images relating to my chosen photographer’s work. The location of my photoshoot I feel played a key part in my photoshoot as the background included staircases, curtains, doors and fireplaces. I chose to include these features in order to create a grand and impressive backdrops for my shoot.

I feel these images are my best out of the 100 photographs I took. These images relate to Helmut Newton’s work as it demonstrates high contrast images with bold lighting. I feel this lighting incorporated with a black and white filter has heightened the quality and the sense of mystery and allure to my work. I also believe that these images revolve round a strong and powerful feminine energy of strength, which elevates the clothing promoted in a magazine as an audience will feel empowered and encouraged through self-assured and confident models. An impression of elegance, aggression, sass and glamour is a message I was attempting to share in my photoshoot as it opposes traditional depictions of female models in the fashion photography industry. I also wanted my models hair, makeup, accessories and outfits to be high fashion, quality and portray an expensive aesthetic. This is in order to give the impression that these are top fashion designer clothing which would be displayed in magazines such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and GQ.

Top 5 Images In Colour:

These 5 Images are in colour as I think although having images in black and white are strong and detailed, the outfits and backgrounds create a striking effect on my images which I may also use in my final booklet. However, Helmut Newton’s images are predominantly displaying women in bold, high contrast lighting in striking outfits. I feel the coloured photos take away the ‘difference’ and ‘distinct’ effect and message for the viewer.

EDITING ANALYSIS.

Whilst editing my images, I have paid attention to Helmut Newton’s style of editing and made a multitude of different editing styles shades and colours. However, In the end I found a high contrast black and white is the perfect setting for these images. Whilst finding the correct filters and shades I also experimented with shades such as ‘cool shadows and warm highlights’, ‘flat and green‘, ‘red lift matte’ and ‘vintage instant’ out of the Adobe Lightroom filter presents of filters. I also focused on increasing the texture, whites, blacks and shadows in my black and white images to create a high contrast between black and white. But my coloured images I focused o lowering the highlight and blacks and increasing the contrast.

Comparisons.

I attempted to recreate some of Helmut Newton’s images by reinterpreting his model’s poses and body language. Such as legs crossed over, lying down on the floor and peering out into a keyhole. However, I like how my images differ to his images by the furniture and background setting being slightly different and more modern. The outfits are also more up-to-date and fashionable in the modern day world and could be potentially used in a modern day magazine, as opposed to a old-fashioned photoshoot from the 1960’s-70’s. To improve on this photoshoot, I would have liked to have done more outside images as many of Helmut Newton’s fashion images are recorded outside. I would also have liked to go to more inside locations with different styles and genres of rooms and interior design. I feel this variety of locations would add more interest and value to my shoot. I would also like to have experimented with more outfits instead of my models wearing the same outfits in virtually all photos. This would have created more of a fashion magazine vibe with all 3 models in different makeup, hair and outfits for different shots. I would have liked to have had better lighting inside. I could’ve done this by providing a ring light or a light source which would be move into different angles and perspectives for my images to have been of a higher quality. However, overall I believe this photo-shoot was successful as I have achieved images in inspiration to Helmut Newton with a fashion magazine style interpretation.

Helmut Newton was known as one of the most influential fashion photographers of the 1980s alongside Irving Penn, and Richard Avedon. I think that his work is the perfect comparison for the world I would like to similarly replicate. This is because I like the style of it being old and black and white. I like how they style is elegant and the women are dressed in predominantly black. As he was a very favour fashion photographer, I think that these images relate well to the topic of women being represented in the media and industries. Helmut Newtons work focused on themes such as power and gender and Newton’s work frequently explored themes of power, dominance, and submission, with women depicted as both powerful and vulnerable. Something that makes me fascinated with his work is the fact that Newton’s style often featured strong, dominant women in exaggerated, high-fashion settings. His images were characterized by a high contrast, stark lighting, and a sense of voyeurism.

The theme of femininity and gender that I am focusing on ties into his work as Helmut Newton’s work represents women as powerful, enigmatic, and seductive figures. The stereotype “femme fatale”, represents these women as they are radiating both allure and danger. The idea that women are superhuman and dominant is shown in his work as their outfits and roles in the photographs demonstrate authority and positions of power. I like the fact that the women are in smart, business attire or dresses, this particularly contrasts society’s views as they are defying usual stereotypes of women. Although, his work is meant to explore women from a female perspective, yet his photographs are sometimes seen as reinforcing women as an object of desire.

I want my models to be seen as women of power and show the power dynamics of society and not seeking male dominance in their lives. I want my models to also defy usual beauty standards an instead show their strength and unity as a whole.

Photo Analysis.

Technical:

The lighting in this photo is a black and white dark toned image which has a high contrast which creates a striking atmosphere. The shadows are harsh and strong with the highlights being white and brighter. This creates a high contrast and bold impression. This also helps to emphasize the characters and people included in the image which also creates intensity to the image. This image uses sharp edges and back-lighting which creates a cinematic feel to the image, as if it is a snapshot. However, as this image is outside, natural lighting will have also been used to show an authentic feel to the image as it is using the sun along with stage lights. The main lighting component to the photo is the contrast in shadows and how shadows are used to outline the characters. In this photograph the two women are highlighted as the focal point in the image due to the sharp shadows and dark dresses which have a strong and powerful style to them.

Visual:

This image includes a sense of symmetry and geometric framing. This is due to the way the two women are stood in a specific place which is known as deliberate positioning. The background of this image is also very minimal and includes mostly sky with a few buildings and ground towards the lower half. This creates an easy way for the audience to immediately look at the subjects instead of the background. Shadows also accompany the focal point of the women by emphasising their bodies and in this image, possibly promoting the outfits the women are wearing. The female form is a main part of Newton’s work and it is displayed in this image as there is emphasis on the shape of these women’s bodies and they display an idealistic and stereotypical body to please the male audience. The lighting of this images, highlights the bodies of the women and their sculptural beauty. I like how cinematic thus image is as it looks like a quick shot taken out of a movie, as the women are mid motion, this creates a cinematic and narrative impression.

Contextual:

The main contextual element to Helmut Newton’s work is exploring gender roles and sexuality. Helmut’s work has been previously critiqued for objectifying women. However, In my chosen image, I believe the women are shown as being dominant and in control. I like how his work is challenging social norms and how he sees his photography as an opportunity to push himself to the extremes in order to convey his message. During the time this image was made, political and social issues were being faced globally. Women were fighting back for rights and equality and feminists were also challenging the patriarchal gaze. In this image, I believe the two women are challenging the idea that women should only be seen as passive objects of male desire. As Helmut Newton is also a fashion photographer, people, predominantly women, were used to promote outfits by creating a specific mood and impression though a story by the model and location. In this image, the women are in high- quality, high-fashion outfits, whilst portraying their strength and confidence through art.

Conceptual:

In Helmut Newton’s work, he focuses on the exploration of power, and gender, however, this message is executed in multiple ways that differ him from other fashion photographers. Helmut Newton orientated much of his work around nudity of women. This was to challenge traditional women forms and exploration of desire, dominance, and control. In this image, the concept and meaning behind it, explores ‘the perfect woman’ as both of the women are young, confident and beautiful and uses boldness to highlight their power over a traditional angelic woman. This image is an example of Helmut Newton, ‘pushing boundaries’ and makes the viewer question whether the women are being celebrated or objectified. This image has a very cinematic feel to it and resembles a scene from a thriller or action movie due to the ambience created through the lighting. This is a narrative quality in his work which implies an unwritten story behind the image and there is a message or conflict beneath the image. This essence of mystery intrigues the viewer and differs Helmut Newtons work from other contemporary photographers.

How Does He Link to My Work?

In my personal study I am focusing on the ‘male gaze’ and the representation of women in the media. The idea of ‘the male gaze’ comes from Laura Mulvey in 1975. This is the way the visual arts, including film and photography, depict the world from a heterosexual male perspective. I chose this specific photographer to tie into my topic as Helmut Newton photographs predominantly women and positions them as subjects of male desire. The way the women are posing in his images is used in a strategic way in order to emphasize their bodies and for the model to captivate the traditional heterosexual male viewer. Helmut’s work also features women displaying themes of power and control, the women are shown as empowered instead of vulnerable. This use of power dynamics intrigues the viewer and is used to attract the male gender, in order to get them to buy their products and they may e.g. attract a woman similar looking to the model. The costume of heels paired with lingerie or small pieces of clothing ties into being a part of ‘the male gaze’ as women are simply posing in almost no clothing just to attract males to the products. However, Helmut Newton’s work also complicates the male gaze as the women are not submissive and vulnerable, but powerful and in control, which contrasts the traditional male gaze, as the woman are aware and complying with it. This has sparked debates about whether Newton’s photography reinforces the male gaze or offers a more nuanced representation of female sexuality.

Articles.

This subject has been explored multiple times by many high-profile newspapers and reports. Laura Mulvey did not undertake empirical studies of actual filmgoers, but declared her intention to make ‘political use’ of Freudian psychoanalytic theory (in a version influenced by Jacques Lacan) in a study of cinematic spectatorship. Such psychoanalytically-inspired studies of ‘spectatorship’ focus on how ‘subject positions’ are constructed by media texts rather than investigating the viewing practices of individuals in specific social contexts. Mulvey notes that Freud had referred to (infantile) scopophilia – the pleasure involved in looking at other people’s bodies as (particularly, erotic) objects. In the darkness of the cinema auditorium it is notable that one may look without being seen either by those on screen by other members of the audience. Mulvey argues that various features of cinema viewing conditions facilitate for the viewer both the voyeuristic process of objectification of female characters and also the narcissistic process of identification with an ‘ideal ego’ seen on the screen. She declares that in patriarchal society ‘pleasure in looking has been split between active/male and passive/female’ (Mulvey 1992, 27). This is reflected in the dominant forms of cinema. Conventional narrative films in the ‘classical’ Hollywood tradition not only typically focus on a male protagonist in the narrative but also assume a male spectator. ‘As the spectator identifies with the main male protagonist, he projects his look onto that of his like, his screen surrogate, so that the power of the male protagonist as he controls events coincides with the active power of the erotic look, both giving a satisfying sense of omnipotence’ (ibid., 28). Traditional films present men as active, controlling subjects and treat women as passive objects of desire for men in both the story and in the audience, and do not allow women to be desiring sexual subjects in their own right. Such films objectify women in relation to ‘the controlling male gaze’ (ibid., 33), presenting ‘woman as image’ (or ‘spectacle’) and man as ‘bearer of the look’ (ibid., 27). Men do the looking; women are there to be looked at. The cinematic codes of popular films ‘are obsessively subordinated to the neurotic needs of the male ego’ (ibid., 33). It was Mulvey who coined the term ‘the male gaze’.

you must contextualise his work with feminism, with specific reference to the ‘male gaze’ and his representation of women in his photographs. Apply your knowledge and understanding of Laura Mulvey’s ‘Visual Pleasures’ essay and Judith Butler’s; ‘Gender Trouble’ you have studied in Media. You also need to find some specific articles/ reviews done around his work written by other critics, feminists etc. I’ll help you with identifying these. This has sparked debates about whether Newton’s photography reinforces the male gaze or offers a more nuanced representation of female sexuality.

I decided to do a small photoshoot to demonstrate my editing skills on Adobe Photoshop. This gives me the opportunity to see if AI editing is something I would like to include in my final photobook, and if whether these images are powerful and meaningful enough to be able to convey the message I would like to express. I chose for my model to do a multitude of facial expressions of fear, happiness, loneliness and confusion. From this variety, I can edit her to show different emotions heightened through AI, to show my storyline. I like how the backgrounds are also different colours such as black, white and grey, as thus then creates an array of different impressions, I can then work with. I feel like these photos are strong, however, to improve, I feel that the lighting could be more focused on with the quality being slightly increased as the model is slightly fuzzy in a few of the photos. I chose this model as her facial expressions are very clear and I feel her dark outfit demonstrates how she may feel inside.

Best Images.

I chose these photos as my 6 best images as I feel they are the highest quality and clearly demonstrate her feelings. Her expressions and body language executes her mood and shows the variety of emotions you are able to feel in a short space of time. All of the photos have a white/grey background which creates a perfect plain template for editing. However, when editing my images I would like my background to black, but I can change this using the Adobe Lightroom to alter the background from white to black. I feel that the quality could be worked on in these images, to improve, I need to assess my lighting whilst photographing and check my camera settings during photoshoots to ensure I am getting the high quality I need for my images.

Editing.

I edited these images to have a black background In Adobe Lightroom by…

I selected the masking tool and then chose ‘background’.

Adobe Lightroom then selects the background of the image and changes it automatically to the colour red.

I then change the background colour from red to black as I feel black is an easy and strong background in order to have a plain background and dos not make the image lower quality.

I then edit my model/subject to be lighter so her e.g. hair, does not blend in with the background.

Edits 1 and 2.

I then export my images from Lightroom, Into Photoshop, to begin editing. I wanted to use the AI/ generative fill settings for my images. I wanted to compose an image that shows how my model is feeling due to the pressures of the male gaze and how peoples opinions and viewpoints may make her feel. The concept of using human eyes, is demonstrating how peoples eyes are constantly on her and she constantly feels watched and looked at, and therefore cannot feel free. I feel like these images have a slight claustrophobic feeling to is, as the girl is completely surrounded by eyes and people watching her and forming opinions. The feeling of feeling judged and watched, creates mental issues for many people which I feel her body language and facial expressions convey. I wanted my model to have a slightly scared, yet fixed facial expression, in order to create the impression that she is seeking help, but wants to keep it inside. This may be due to pressures and risk of showing her true feelings. Overall, I think these two images could be improved by using more exciting or high quality photos, and possibly more in-depth and creative editing ideas, to convey my idea.

Edit 3.

I also then chose to create an image with hands reaching out to my model as if they are reaching out for her, this is to demonstrate that she is wanted and that she feels that people want something from her but don’t want her. However, I feel that this image is not by best work, this is because the arms could be better quality and could have a mix of different peoples hands. However, this arm was the best option from my generative fill option. I think, to make this mage stronger, the arms could be going in different directions and the arms are surrounding her and are creating a circle around her to shoe she is feeling claustrophobic from her surroundings.

Edit 4.

I decided to also create this very random image in order to demonstrate an abstract image through the use of random lines. I first had the pen tool on Adobe Photoshop, in order to create a background colour of white lines squiggled all around. I then created a new layer and chose a thinner black pen tool to create another layer of lines, these lines represent mental negative feelings of apprehension, worry and anxiety, however, I particularly focused on my models head to show although she is surrounded by stress and pressure, most of it is surrounding her brain and is all internal feelings that aren’t real. Her brain is generating most of these feelings, of fearing the unknown, when In fact her situation is never as bad as she assumes. I feel this image is basic but meaningful. By experimenting on photoshop, I am able work on my skills and show how even though some of these images are basic, a deeper meaning comes within the backstory.

INSPIRATION:

Whilst exploring different past A-Level Photography students work. I came across a particularly inspiring piece of work which has helped me gain my own ideas on what type of subject I would like to focus on for my Independent Study.

The work of Christianna Knight: Women of Yesterday has particularly inspired me to explore the topics of women, femininity gender stereotypes, identity and rights. I love how pristine and accurate her work is and how she has executed a distinct difference in each era and how every era shows a cultural change for women and how we have made out way to the present day, and how times have changed in women’s favour.

Her Overview:

During my personal study I enjoyed having freedom to explore my own ideas and take inspiration from artists and photographers that I am interested in. I was very inspired by Cindy Sherman’s work, I wanted to explore themes such as masquerade, costumes and stereotypes which are very present in Sherman’s studio portraits. When first collecting ideas as to what I should base my project on I decided I wanted to explore female stereotypes through costume and studio portraits. However, with so many stereotypes existing within my gender I decided to create a series of portraits depicting stereotypes from each decade of the 20th Century. As I was born in 1998, I was looking at these stereotypes with a retrospective. I also kept feminist theory in mind, relating my stereotypes to important movements in feminist history including the three main waves as well as smaller social victories for women. I felt that this project was very successful and that each decade was well planned and executed and that the nine image work well as a series.

This work has given me inspiration on exploring all different periods and eras and how fashion, rights and lifestyles have changed and adapted. The genre of women and their lifestyle changes is a topic that has been c

LENS CULTURE

My Own Work:

This photoshoot I created explored the effort and expectation of women FOR OTHERS, and how we must fit a specific narrative in order to be seen as feminine and attractive.  The portrayal of female pressure to look a certain way and act a certain way to ‘fit in’ with a specific category. This general beauty standard puts women under immense pressure to e.g. be of a slimmer build or wear a certain type of clothes. This may turn in to impacting the way women feel about their own body image and affect their self love and confidence. I feel subjects like this are easier to interpret and work on as it is a current issue each female experiences. This photoshoot inspired me to choose my personal study subject as I enjoyed exploring this topic and researching women’s rights and how they are stereotypically viewed in society and how it truly makes us feel as a collective.

This list is examples of female empowerment photographers who specialise in normalising femininity in human bodies. 

• Mar Armengol.
• Melody Melamed.
• Carlota Guerrero.
• Alba Yruela.
• Jade Beall.
• Kristina Varaksina.
• Alba Duque.
• Jade Beall.
• Kristina Varaksina.
• Alba Duque.
• Sofía Suars.
• Bruna Avellaneda.
• Rosie Alice Foster.

What I want to explore: 

The topic I would like to explore is girlhood and femininity. I will be focusing particularly on older teenagers at the age of 17-19 and the struggles of moving from adolescence to adulthood and the hardships young women face. I like this topic as it is a current topic which is faced globally, and I feel it is a topic which I will enjoy expressing my opinion on and it is an important topic which needs embracing by young people especially. I would like to initially explore how the media portrays women in positive and negative ways and how it creates derogatory and unrealistic stereotypes of women. Gender Identity and roles is a topic I wanted incorporate and the stereotypical themes and personality traits a woman is expected to have. I find this topic interesting as expectations and views on women are changing but not particularly quickly. By focusing on multiple branches of femininity and youth such as empowerment, stereotypes, different eras, I would like to cover different aspects of women, femininity gender stereotypes, identity and rights. The idealised view of women is the key part to my chosen topic, and I feel I can expand on this by including both positive and negative viewpoints. 

Why it matters to me: 

I really like the idea of femininity and women in today’s age as it is a subject that I, myself live through and endure. I can also use other young women enduring this to convey my message. I hope to express my theories on gender and identity and how women can be interpreted in different ways and do not need to fit a specific narrative. Analysing Cindy Sherman in particularly has aided this idea as she, herself has worked on how women can be interpreted in different ways and all the multiple narratives they can fit. Although, a difference I would like to express Is a positive light on women and how they can in, fact be strong and independent compared to an idealised view of being helpless and dependent on men. I would like to incorporate this specific positive side to my project because although a stigma of negativity towards women is continued in the modern day, positive changes are progressing for us as a collective. 

How I wish to develop my project: 

I would like to first develop my project by analysing artists such as Cindy Sherman and learning about her work in order to do another photoshoot inspired by her work. By posing similar to Cindy in a way that almost mocks the media and has a humorous, ‘over the top’ side to it and how a negative topic can be turned into something inspiring, beautiful but also entertaining with a humorous side to it. This photoshoot I would also then like to create a photoshoot based on the portrayal of women in the media as I believe as the digital age becomes increasingly popular and technology is consuming ore of our lives each day, people are being objectified and critiqued more than ever. After analysing different current day media products, I would like to create my first photoshoot on this. This photoshoot will explore how although all the women may look similar and may be seen for one purpose only, they also have their own lifestyles, values and emotions which is often ignored in modern day advertising. 

Which form I wish to present my study as: 

I would like to produce my work as a photobook, which contains different sections of female representation from the media to idealised versions of women and then how women may feel due to this. I feel like this array of different representations will create a powerful message on how actions have consequences and how they impact lives. I want it to look as professional as possible and for my work to stand out. I would be including my essay into my photobook and I feel that by placing it on the final pages of my photobook will help the reader to fully understand the images they have seen after reading the essay, however, by viewing the photos as the beginning of the book, an element of mystery and wonder will be created as the viewer questions the purpose of each photoshoot. 

Where and when I intend to begin my study: 

I have decided to start my study by researching artists that relate to my work such as Cindy Sherman. I will then create a shoot inspired by her work as a response to her views and displaying how I agree and empathise with her work. I will create a photoshoot in the photography studio showing a basic photoshoot of how women must display fake emotions in photographs and pretend that their forced emotions are in-fact real, when they are not. I will then focus on my next chosen photographer ‘Helmut Newton’, for his photoshoot I will be focusing on real life fashion images which may objectify and stereotype women. His work is beautiful yet occasionally provocative and suggestive, this impression of women is then spread through sales of the brands being promoted. I feel my true intention within this project is to allow my spectator/audience to really get the concept and the meaning behind my work and the message of the true importance and power of women I am trying to promote. 

Analysis Of Project: 

I will be creating photoshoots with 3 models in particular and I will be focusing predominantly on high contrast black and white images, however, some photoshoots may be in colour. My images will all be inside as many of my inspiration photographers focus on inside settings. I will also not be including any males in my images as I would like to fully focus on the female gender and promoting their rights by include young, developing women and showing how objectification affects them. I will be presenting these images through a photobook instead of a film as a book will be an accessible and straightforward way for my audience to read and understand my message in a convenient way. I will most likely include a small amount of accompanied text with each shoot to give a basic analysis and explanation of the different genres of images. I will be using Adobe Lightroom to create this photobook and will be incorporating images that have been edited and tweaked on both Lightroom and Photoshop. These decisions will help to elevate and improve my photos by adding AI, Filters and basic edits to my photos, adding meaning and value to them. 

Having this research helps me to see what kind of message I would like to convey in my first photoshoot and helps me to explore the deeper meaning into my personal study and what genre of femininity and women’s rights I would like to explore. I chose to explore different advertisements and media products in the modern day which I can use to create a message in my first photoshoot. However, In my future work afterwards, I would also like to explore female empowerment in different always away from media products and advertisements and more in a ‘real-life’ everyday perspective.

Gender Identity and roles is a topic I wanted incorporate and the stereotypical themes and personality traits a woman is expected to have. For example, girls and women are generally expected to dress in typically feminine ways and be polite, accommodating, and nurturing. Men are generally expected to be strong, aggressive, and bold. Every social class and ethnic group have different expectations for women and girls and how they must act. Different domestic behaviours such as ‘staying at home’ whilst men control working and manual work is a stereotypical and unrealistic view on life which dates back to centuries ago. the personality traits were passive, gentle and caring, and often valued for how they looked and not what they did. This is unrealistic and creates an idea to women that they cannot show they emotions and are in fact not superior to males. Although times are changing, About 91 % of women with children spend at least an hour per day on housework, whereas only around 30 % of men with children do. This is an unfair and uncomprehensive balance where women are still expected to do work and be less independent with working and achieving their dreams as they are deemed to be completing a lifestyle that is chosen for them. Due to the fact men demonstrate masculinity by avoiding what has traditionally been seen as ‘women’s work’, a constant stigma of societal norms is expected from women as men choose to focus on external responsibilities.

Negatives Media Representation of Women:

Although, the media is changing and occasionally praising and embracing powerful women. Images such as these show how the media attempts to show women as a thing to promote. Objectification through images may reinforce to adolescent girls that their value is based on their appearance. Attempts to devalue women such as unrealistic beauty standards, like the perfect woman being being thin, youthful, and flawless, creates an unrealistic idea in both males and females of what you are supposed to look like. The idea of women being waiting to be saved or helpless and existing solely to support male characters undermines their individuality and power. The impact of this causes fatal results of increased rates of eating disorders, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction.

I took some examples from magazines and posters of women in today in my research to gain knowledge on how women are still objectified and displayed in a certain way through advertisements to entertain a male audience. The female body can be presented as a collection of separate parts, a non-thinking non-feeling object, as opposed to a whole person. The woman’s body is something to be possessed, controlled, and used for someone’s gratification. Women are sometimes reduced to individual pieces and seen as objects instead of people with personalities, futures and lives.

Positive Media Representation of Women:

However, as times change, women are now seen to be depicted by positive changes towards online objectification of women. Although it is a slow acting and gradual process, it is driven by social awareness, activism, policy changes, and cultural shifts.

• Positive movements such as:

• Advocacy for Representation

• Campaigns and Movements

• Platform Policies

• Education and Awareness

• Stronger Legal Protections

• Shifting Cultural Norms

• Empowerment Through Technology

The Gentlewoman.

The Gentlewoman is a perfect example of an present day female-empowering magazine. The Gentlewoman is a biannual magazine tailored towards middle class, professional women aged 30 and above. This magazine is used to promote women’s power and rights. This differs from other women’s magazines as it shifts from the traditional derogatory view of women in media products. This instead promotes women’s individuality and keeps things ‘real’, by challenging traditional beauty standards. This may include women with no makeup, older women and women and men wearing high fashion with confident and independent views from a range of age groups. The magazine is celebrating women of all talents, communities and ethnicities and giving them a space to promote products and personalities in a safe space which stands out from all other magazines in the modern day as women are celebrated for being themselves and still being seen as beautiful even though they are not being used to please the male audience and instead shown to be empowering each other. The Gentlewoman also chooses to focus on high-quality work such as in-depth interviews, thoughtful photography, and carefully crafted storytelling. This is a unique selling point which attracts a large amount of the world that do not want to embrace or promote media products which promote unrealistic views of women and would rather spend money and time on a product which celebrates instead of criticizes.

Relating to My Own Work.

I decided to make my images into a front page of a ‘trendy, modern day’ magazine cover in order to see what impression my photos would give in the context I am currently exploring. For example, my image on the left may represent a magazine which uses women as an object instead of embracing their identity. Whereas, my image on the right may represent an image from a magazine such as The Gentlewoman which promotes the real you, and doesn’t restrict women from showing how they feel.

My model is seen to be youthful and beautiful. She must have smooth, glowing skin, often enhanced by makeup and digital retouching. Her pose must emphasize femininity, such as arched backs or tilted heads, whilst directly looking at the viewer, in order to engage with them and entice them. Her makeup must enhance her main features like eyes, lips, and cheekbones, often with a polished and clean look. The woman must fit an idealised version of females with long healthy hair and European beauty ideals. Her facial expression is on the left serious and straightforward. Whereas on the right, her emotion is happy and radiating positivity. In my personal opinion, the article on the right is more appealing and visually interesting because the model is enjoying herself and portraying positivity which reels in a viewer. However, in the modern day, women are still made to look miserable and down in images to degrade their value and exclude their personality or substance from the image as something to just promote the product they may be wearing or holding.