Ad Campaign

I have chosen to analyse the 'Dior Addict' Lipstick 2015 ad campaign featuring popular actress Jennifer Lawrence. 

Looking at the basics of the image the background is clean, crisp and white. Jennifer is wearing a pink dress and a slick of bright pink lipstick. The pink Jennifer is wearing gives the image some pop that works well with the pop of pink lipstick she is wearing here. She is sat cooly on on her chair with a seductive\ suggestive look on her face holding her lipstick like a cigarette. maybe suggesting that lipsticks are the new cigarette. Cigarette's used to be considered as sexy. They were in all the movies. The leading men and women would be smoking everywhere. This brings me to my next point.

The minute I saw this image I recognised the pose. This imitates one of the most controversial movie scenes in history. The famous leg crossing scene from basic instinct. The fact that this is an extremely sexual scene, as she exposes herself when she crosses her legs in front of the camera, suggests that the photographer and creative director new what they were doing with this ad. 'Sex sells' they say and it does unfortunately. I always find it very interesting to see women's adverts that are supposed to appeal to women, become over sexualised. Maybe they are trying to say that if we buy this lipstick we will be as 'sexy' and 'Seductive' as Jennifer lawrence/Sharon stone.  

This is another part to the same ad for the same lipstick. This is a completely different image. Its a lot softer and it looks like they have gone for the 'innocent girl' 'doe eyed' girl look. So instead of looking feirce and seductive she looks innocent like a child. You look straight into her eyes. She looks like she is being hypnotised. It also looks like they have gone back to the film star days of the 50's with the glowing light look. Its interesting with this image because for a lipstick advert, the lipstick is blurred and you cant even see her lips. Its more about the woman in the picture than the lipstick. If Jennifer Lawrence wants this lipstick then you will like this lipstick. If you want to look like this then you need to buy with Dior. 

I think these 2 images really sum up the advertising world that has always been. It uses women's bodies to sell there products. It also uses the 'fandemonium' surrounding celebrities to sell products.

Image 1.Ref: http://cdn.pursuitist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/dior_addict_lipstick_jennifer_lawrence.jpg
Image 2. Ref:http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/11/20/11/2EA1C4D900000578-3326462-image-m-104_1448017954919.jpg
Image 3. Ref: http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2015/stylewatch/blog/150914/jennifer-lawrence-600x450.jpg

First Technical lesson back with Chris Overend.

So it was the first practical lesson since coming back from the Christmas break. We were briefed by Chris of our next project and discussed a few different lighting techniques used in the advertising industry. Some of the girls modelled for this and they came out beautifully. I have noticed that If you look at advertising campaigns you can see a lot of them are photographed in the same way with the same lighting, so I am looking forward to trying these out for this project. 

Advertising Setups.

Things to remember: Camera settings: ISO should be at 100. Shutter speed set at 1/150 and aperture  F 5.6 (The higher the number the darker the image).
If there are smudges on the lens use a 100% cotton cloth to clean it.

Lenses used: 50mm (used for the first set up), 85mm (used for the second set up), 100mm. we also used a beauty dish and a 2 light diffusers.

Computer setup: Sign in with student as both the username and the password. 

Today we worked 2 main lighting set ups. One for head shots and the second for close ups. We helped Chris set up the computer, camera and the lighting.

The first set up was the one below. This was to achieve a head shot and a bright glowing look. The back ground would come out a light grey colour but the model would look glowy.

In the set up below the model would stand a metre between the camera and the back light set up.

The second set up: The photo's below lighting is to create a close up shot. This is great for close up shots of the eye or the lips.  We also closes the aperture down for the second part.  

These were 2 examples of the lighting we were shown but it was a matter of switching the polly boards around to create different effects. I really want to experiment with these lightings as I feel these are going to create a really professional look to my final images. 

Grade and feedback for 'Who do you think you are David Bailey'.

We were all asked to make an appointment to see either Sharon or Chris for feedback and our grade for the last semester. I booked in with Chris. I received a 2.1 grade. Chris said that he liked my enthusiasm and the personal inclusions in my blog. He said that I did really well for my first project. However he did say I just needed to work on my technical skills a little more and my editing skills as my photo's were either over exposed or under exposed. He said that this is something I will get with practise and something I will pick up by engaging in outside practise. 
I definitely agree. I feel that I need to practise different lighting techniques and get to know the different camera settings more. I feel that this will improve the more as I practise more and play around and experiment with different techniques. Chris also said that my recording of some of the technical terms we learned in class were written down incorrectly so I will will bring in my voice recorder to class to make sure I have a record of the correct terms.  I managed to buy my own camera (canon 700d) over Christmas which will be great for outside shoots and practise at home. It will also mean that I don't have to worry about cameras not being available at the hub. I didn't experience this last term but I feel this is always a possibility so its useful for this type of problem. I really want to learn about lighting with photography and really get to know my camera. I want to be able to get more comfortable at problem solving on shoots. 
Im really happy with my feedback I think it was fair and encouraging. Its not always nice hearing constructive criticism but I know and accept that this will help me grow and develop me as an artist and photographer. I feel that I understand a little more about what is expected of me as a student and I feel excited for the next semester. I put a lot of pressure on myself last semester so this semester I want to take a different approach and really take it all in. I really want to learn and so I really appreciate the feedback. 

Pastiche

pastiche

paˈstiːʃ/

noun

1. 1. 

   an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.

   "the operetta is a pastiche of 18th century style"

   synonyms:

   imitation, parody, take-off;  rarepasticcio "the operetta is a pastiche of 18th century style"

   • an artistic work consisting of a medley of pieces imitating various sources.

     "a pastiche of literary models and sources"

     synonyms:

     mixture, blend, medley, melange, miscellany, mixed bag, pot-pourri, mosaic, patchwork, mix, compound, composite, collection, motley collection, assortment, conglomeration, hotchpotch, hodgepodge, jumble, ragbag, mishmash, farrago, hash; More

     
     

     In class with Sharon today we were all given a word that we had to use to inspire our final piece for the brief. We have to create a mood board that depicts our word and emotes feeling and gives an idea of colour texture and theme. We then have to create a story board. This will be to see how we use our taught techniques to create the desired final look for our advert. 

     
     

     Im intrigued by my chosen word. A little intimidated but I feel Im going to allow it to go where it needs to go. I have decided to look at the meaning of the word and other meanings and words associated with this word. Im also going to look into other words linked to this word and look for images I feel relate. This is my starting point. 

     
     

     We have also been asked to link our Pinterest to this blog so thats something I'm going to include. 

Practise

Technical File

Research