Discussing Outtakes

     This poster hangs in my dorm room next to my desk and I find my eye uncontrollably wandering to it when I should be studying. The photograph, like many we find in the fashion magazines of today, gives the impression that it is an outtake, a snapshot, a photograph unplanned. This begs the question of whether or not this advertisement is "designed". 

     In my opinion, a photograph of this nature is in fact designed. While the movements of the models don't hold any specificity, their outfits, the room, and the use of film as opposed to digital, were very much designed. Someone had an idea in their mind of what mood they wanted the ad to evoke. The unposed position of the models in fact heightens the mood of a grungy motel room. The mess of the clothing, bedding, AND model's juxtaposition creates an unyielding sense of chaos. 

     While this photograph is messily constructed, many principles and elements of design are used in tandem to create an effective advertisement. One's eye is immediately drawn to the white tone of the right model's shirt. Once the eye is caught, it moves down the line of the leg and towards the other model. Her long blonde (almost white) hair draws the eye down her form. Once down her arm, one's eye gets lost in a flurry of flash and mis-focus across the bed, leading the eye right back to our original model. This construction creates a simple triangle with which the eye can consistently move. One's eye is in constant motion and thus constant analysis of this portrait. Each cycle can lead the eye to notice new things, like the phone in the blonde models hand or the bullets slung across the headboard. Thus, more of the content of the photograph is unveiled and leaves the viewer wondering just what is happening in this "random" moment. The element of line is successfully used in this designed photograph to catch its viewers eye and lure them to a point of closer analysis and hopefully, a closer look at the product for which it is advertising. 

Cred:

Ich, mich, mir... ME, from da iPhone