Understanding representation

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                                             Understanding Representation

My task was to present three photographic images for three different target audiences: Mr. Westrip my Headteacher, my grandma and my boyfriend. To do this I had to think about representation and stereotype for each audience. Representation is the signs, symbols and codes that communicate what something is like, such as objects, attire and gestures. Stereotype is when society judges or categorises people by there appearance.

People can be represented in different ways using varied settings, clothes, gestures, make-up and hairstyles according to what you are trying to portray. Such as a nail varnish advertisement I annotated in class I looked at the way the model and her setting and props reveal the product and target audience. The nail varnish was called ‘Jet-Set’ so they put the model in a jet so in the consumers mind they connect the two and the fact that it is a speed dry nail varnish. The model and her gestures convey who the target audience is. The model is young, female, professional and confident this was shown in her appearance, she is wearing sophisticated clothing and has a slick hairstyle and immaculate make-up. This gives her a very professional look and the manner in which she has her head up high and appears to be looking down at you as if she is superior. Also when she is placed in the jet she is positioned as the pilot not the passenger showing that she is in control of things. This displays the type of person the product is aimed at people who are like this or want to be like this. Individuals are represented differently to different people to reach a certain group of people.

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This is usually according to stereotype, stereotype is used as an aid in advertising and advertisers rely on their consumers to recognise them. For example if you were aiming your product at teenagers you might include the latest gadgets and music to entice them in your advertisement.

Before taking my pictures I had to plan them first taking all these things into consideration. Whilst planning my sketch for my image aimed at Mr. Westrip I had to think of how to present myself to my Headteacher and what he would like the pupils within his school to ...

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