His style is very persuasive. He often uses "you" when referring to the reader to make what he is saying sound as if it is directed solely at him/her. He tries to get the readers trust by doing so. In addition, he tries to align himself with the readers with his constant use of “we”. His ideas, explanations and examples engage the reader into thought whether he/she agrees with what he is saying.
Bergers next key issue is the theory that all images are constructed and they represent the view of the producer. Therefore, what he is saying is that although we are free to take what we want from an image we are forced to view it from a certain perspective, this being the producers perspective. Basically Berger is saying is that people take on both models, they are effected by the perceived view in their evaluation but also use their own mind and knowledge to decide for themselves. If this is the case Berger must be criticising himself, as he is presenting ideas in his particular style. Although he claims we, the readers can take what we want from the essays, in some way we are forced to see the ideas and issues through his view as they are expressed in his words. For example, his choice of images leaves us to take on his point of view as his explanations seem simple as they are already on the page; we ourselves do not have to search for the meaning.
The natural break that follows this issue is part of the essay, and as Berger says in the note to the reader form is as important as the words themselves. This break occurs after many issues have been discussed. It is obvious, we, as the readers are supposed to stop here take in what has been said and think about it carefully before moving on. This is a very important feature of Bergers style. Without it the essay may have a different impact, as we may not realise we need to stop at that point and consider what Berger has said. After discussing this further after the break and conjuring up other ideas Berger gives us an example of how we view images, and how what he has just said about the on-looker taking on the view of the producer works. Berger presents two paintings by Hals. This shows portraits of the regent and regentesses. From the pictures straight away we can see that the people were not very pleasant, as they are not presented in a favourable manner. However, this is Hals view of them, as at the time, he was poor and he disliked them due to their wealth. This changes our view. This shows how we are swayed in our views by the views we are presented with. This is another immense part of Bergers style. Throughout the essays, Berger often writes about the past. He often presents the past or images from the past as examples. This may be because he feels the past is relevant to the present and the ideas he discusses can easily be viewed with past, rather then present examples. Another major part of his style is his use of short bold statements, in which he sounds certain, and his ideas sound plausible. He then “illustrates” this with the use of several sources, photographs, paintings and text.
Berger then touches on the issue of value. He claims that how much an image, in this case painting, is 'worth' depends on the market value placed upon it by high brow intellectuals and art critics who have, or have not critically acclaimed it. People take on this view believing it is correct. However each person would have their own opinion and place their own value on a certain image. I agree with Berges point that we should not take on the opinions of the critics.
Essay 3 examines the place of the (female) nude in oil painting and contemporary publicity photos. Berger remarks that the imagined gaze of the spectator is always male, and that consequently, a female spectator is "almost continually accompanied by her own image of herself", thereby causing a split in her perception of herself: an idea of herself, shadowed by an idea of herself as a social construct of patriarchy. The conventionalization of the nude female body, painted in postures of submission that offer access to the viewer, reinforces the power of the male-as-gazer in contemporary society. This essay relates to essay 2, which is pictorial.
Berger says that "men act and women appear". This is typical of his style. Berger proceeds to present such complex ideas in a direct manner. This is used to grab the readers’ attention and to make them want to read on to find out Bergers explanation of such a complex idea. The essay goes on to discuss how "men survey women" and how women are always surveying themselves in the same manner. He says women turn themselves into a "sight". An example of this is the presentation of a painting with a woman holding a mirror. Berger says, "the real function of the mirror...was to make the woman connive in treating herself as...a sight". This is a perfect example of Bergers use of persuasion. Many women may disagree with the statement that Berger has made. However he gains the readers trust throughout the essays so when it comes to theories like this the reader may believe it and trust what he is saying to be correct. Berger chooses his examples carefully and makes sure that each image he presents substantiates what he has already stated. Here he shows a number of pictures where the woman is always aware of being seen. He says this is because she is also looking at herself or looking directly at the observer. An example he presents is two pictures of Susannah and the Elders by Tintoretto. In one picture, she is looking at the observer showing that she is aware that she is being looked on and she is concerned about their 'view' of her. The other is a picture of her looking at herself in a mirror showing that she realises she is a "sight". This may not necessarily be correct as there may be many images that portray a woman that is not aware of being seen or that is not gazing at herself. However Bergers choice in images show that what he is saying is correct and the female is concerned with her view.
The next interesting point of discussion in essay 3 is the apparent difference between nakedness and nudity. Berger claims that to be naked is to be "without clothes" to "be oneself" and "without disguise". He says to be nude "is a form of art". Berger then again shows his style of persuasion by involving the reader in what his idea. He presents us with 2 images, one a model, one an old painting. He then asks a question "Is not the expression remarkably similar in each case?". After this, there is a short gap for us to consider this and take in what has been said. This is an important aspect of the form, as discussed before.
Another important aspect of Bergers form is the way there is a break at the end of a particular issue. When a completely new point need to be raised there is a gap for the reader to realise that that is the end of the issue, and a new idea will be presented.
This essay contains many questions. Berger asks them to make the reader feel as if he is talking to him/her directly, to get the reader involved, to consider the point he is making and so he can answer them later. He asks, "What is...?" and "Why?" just before presenting his answer. Berger invites the reader to take on board his ideas. The reader in time is persuaded to Bergers "ways of seeing".
At the end of the essay, Berger makes a final statement that although time has passed "the essential way of seeing women...has not changed". This is why although the examples he uses throughout the essay to substantiate his ideas are mostly old paintings and images they still apply today. He then challenges us the readers to "experiment". He tells us to transform one of the images in the book of a woman into a man and see how the image changes; therefore, “our sight must also change”. This is a clear challenge to his theory. It shows us that he is sure that his theories are correct and that women and men are presented differently. I agree with this the presentation of men and women differ, the two can never take the place of the other, if this occurs our view, so in turn the sight changes.
I have put together a short picture essay consisting of 6 images. All of them portray women, 3 are from womens magazines, and the other 3 are from mens magazines. All of the images contain the woman looking directly at the camera or at herself (image2). This ties in with Bergers theory that women are always looking at themselves or at the observer, as they are aware of being looked at. All the images portray the woman as a ‘sight’. Images 1, 2 and 3 (from womens magazines) show the woman looking non-threatening and naturally beautiful. However the other 3 image (4,5 and 6 taken from mens magazines) portray the women in a different way. Here they look seductive and sexy. Obviously, they are meant to entice and attract the male readers. They are, as Berger says, “offering up their femininity as the surveyed”.
All the images confirm Bergers view this being that all images are constructed. Although all the images are adverts and they are obviously constructed you can still see that every image be it a photograph, a painting a poster is constructed and shows the view seen by the producer of that image. For example, the use of cannons in image 4 with the woman would appeal to most men, as they would be associated with the ‘macho man’. While image, 5 and 6 would appeal due to the way the woman has been portrayed, as a sex object. This shows that all images are a construction.
It is clear from all the images that the women have a presence. By how they appear we can see “what can and cannot be done to her”, as Berger says in essay 3. The first 3 images, from womens magazines show they are there to be looked at in order to sell the advertised product. They are supposed to be considered beautiful naturally and not be considered sexy, as that would be threatening. The images from the male magazines are to be seen as sexy. They are supposed to attract the male. It is clear that the women are inviting the readers to do a lot more to them than the images from the womens magazines. As Berger says the “women appear” in various ways. The images also illustrate Bergers ideas on glamour and publicity expressed in essay 7.
Bergers ideas in the book have affected the way I look at images. Probably the most prominent idea I have taken on board is how words can change our view of something. I agree with this and often consider how I would view something without the associated text. Many other ideas were very interesting. ‘Ways of Seeing’ provides a set of questions, ways of thinking about the place of images and the ideas behind them.
