AD BUSTER

          Originally this advertisement is being used to advertise the Sisley fashion.  Of course the only article of clothing shown in this ad is the hat the woman has on.  The original text in the ad reads, "nothing to add."  This is stating that all you need to wear is a Sisley hat, and you should be fine.  The woman is smiling, proving that she is content with this reasoning.  The only time that a person would wear a warm hat like this would be in the winter, or around the holidays when it starts to get cooler.  Most people are happy around this season because of those holidays, so being cheerful, and mostly naked when trying to stay warm during the cold season has a little irony to the ad's message.  I added the text, "but Ho Ho Ho," to the original text above to extend the idea of the holiday season, while also giving a different message.  I mean, think about it...what do we automatically call a woman when we see her photographed without any clothing on, or if her breasts are exposed to the public?

          I started to see this ad as some type of silly, pleasing christmas card made for her boyfriend or significant other.  However, I am sure that the original intentions of this ad was for young adult women who are interested in Sisley fashion, or are maybe just looking  for a new winter hat. Although men would be attracted to this ad, I do not believe it was intended for them, even though it may insist on them buying this hat for their loved one... It may be a cute christmas present, and insist on other ideas for the two of them during the holidays.  I also added the text, "Keep warm during the holidays with...or without Sisley," because technically you are not remaining warm with just a hat on.  But at least you'd be wearing your smile.  That is the other accessory this model has on.  She's happy, therefore the viewer, or potential buyer will also be happy with this product.

"Overcoming the Stereotypical Thoughts of a Dancer's Body"

Michelle Costello

Overcoming the Stereotypical Thoughts of a Dancer’s Body

            For my body project I was able to really explore the main subject I am interested in—which is dance.  I knew right away that I wanted this to be my subject.  Not only do I have great interest in it, but also our bodies are such an important aspect with what we do; our bodies are our tools.  It takes a lot of energy and commitment to become a strong dancer and to pursue such hard goals and intense scheduling.  It requires a fit and healthy body to obtain a high level of hard work.

            For years it has been a stereotype that all ballerinas and or dancers are anorexic or are just too skinny.  This may be the case for some dancers, but it’s actually pretty rare within all of the dancers I know.  I don’t think I know a dancer who doesn’t love food just as much as any football player!  Approaching a stereotypical subject was important for me to do.  I feel that I am able to reveal a more truthful appearance of one of the more “ballerina-types” here at the University of Arizona.

            The woman photographed is a close friend of mine, and knowing her as well as I do, I believed that she would be a great model for my project.  Not only is she a great dancer, but she also has a healthy body, while not over analyzing her diet and still eating sweets whenever she wants!  She has the ideal look of a ballerina—and she was just born with it!  She has amazingly long legs and gorgeous feet and “turn-out.”  Her long and lean body does a great job at emphasizing her flexibility. 

            Dancers are constantly looking in mirrors, because we have no choice but to be in front of them in class.  And even when we are not looking in an actual mirror, we are automatically able to find some type of reflection in any given object or building we may pass.  It’s almost as if it is something we naturally do.  (I suppose being in a mirror just about everyday for the past 18 years for hours at a time could do that to you.)  In the first photo of my collage, the dancer is shown next to a sculpture, where her reflection can be clearly seen.  The phrase written around that first photo really states how important a dancer’s image is to the art form

            I only used four photos, but decided to emphasize a close-up and cropped version of the last photo on the right, where the dancer’s stomach is seen.  All of the words that lay on or across the photos are words in which I relate a dancer’s body to.  It is the accentuations of how beautiful their bodies really are, and what they can represent.  The words typed in red, shown in the bottom left corner of the collage represent the more negative and stereotypical thoughts by some of the public.  Because the pictures take up most of the space in the boxed space, it shows that the positivity is more powerful and overcomes the negative thoughts. I thought about Clarissa Sligh’s use of phrasing and words, and the shape they can be formed in, in order to stress the importance of my photos shown.

            I think strong and nicely shaped bodies are just beautiful.  There are so many different structures and it’s amazing how we are able to reshape our bodies depending on the activities in which we partake.   

Documentary Project. "Backstage Eyes"

I decided to do my documentary project on an idea that I seem to know most about- dance!  A lot goes on backstage before a show that not many people know about... not the "normal people" out in the audience at least.  When viewing these pictures, you will see shots that I captured both in the dressing room and behind the wings backstage.  While preparing myself for the show, I also caught others getting ready; stretching, eating, and doing hair and make-up.  These are all things dancers must do in order to be ready to perform on stage.  Some of the photos I took backstage are in a still position, while others show that there is movement going on.  You will see different elements used such as line and focus, among others.  I hope that you enjoy my documentary project on, "Backstage Eyes."

Line

The lines seen in these photographs help to give it a dramatic effect.  There are many lines of pattern seen within the object.  However, there are also patterned lines around the object that can be seen.  The structure of the certain lines on the object help to give it its shape and really make the specifics of the object to stand out.  The direction the lines are going in also assist in creating a greater dynamic, while also filling up some of the possible negative space.

 

Texture

I believe that texture adds a lot to a photo.  It can completely change the dynamic.  When focusing on the texture of a picture, changing your levels when actually taking the picture is usually very important.  I got really close to the actual object to focus on the texture.

G-Clef

I wasn't quite sure of what object I wanted to capture in my photographs, so I tried thinking of things that   I could relate to and thought of this piece of art.  It is located behind the music building and is also used as a bench.  The G-clef is symbolized with music, and music is something that I associate myself with a lot.  Being a dance major I listen and dance to music all day, everyday... even when I'm at home, the music is playing.