Montage: Activity 4

Find two examples of photomontages that are either from a commercial source or from a fine art background. Discuss in what context they have been produced and what techniques they share with political photomontages.
What messages, if any, are communicated through these photomontages and how effective do you think they are? Consider different ways that each image could have been tackled by the artist and come up with an idea for ‘another in the series’.

Thomas Barbey

Untitled, 1982 Jerry Uelsmann

           The context in which these photomontages have been created are not exactly illustrated but it is clear that both images were created by someone who possesses a fine art background. The seamless merging of these photomontages implies that the artists knew what they were doing and knew how to manipulate their resources to their benefit. Just as political photomontages have a subtle (or not so subtle) message these montages do as well. The first has a sense of perspective and the incorporation of everyday objects with those who are not so common, combining a daring feat such as skiing or snowboarding with a commonplace table and tablecloth. The second conveys the message of roots and creating a steady foundation upon which a home and family will be built. It is a perfect illustration of the phrase "home is where your roots are". Not exactly worded like that but most people know what the basic point is.

           It would be relatively easy for the artists to continue on to make a series from these photomontages. Based upon the effective conveyance of the messages in their first montages this would be an easy task. Barbey could likely create another image in which athletes were performing on an everyday surface/environment and Uelsmann could further combine more earthly elements with human-made objects. Barbey stitched together an image of a ski slope and a tablecloth to make it appear as if the skiiers were going down a tablecloth - it makes them look small in comparison to their surroundings and Uelsmann bonded a tree's roots with an old, two-story home, both of which required critical thinking and trial-and-error approaches. It is likely that they both had a dominant theme for which they were trying to accomplish.

Montage: Activity 3

As editors exercise their ever-increasing power over information control, what limits would you impose on them as to the extent to which they can manipulate the photographic image? Devise a series of guidelines that will control the release of images that have been constructed for media use so that the public is aware as to the extent of the manipulation.

Jennifer Lawrence,  huffingtonpost.uk

My guidelines would be as follows:

• No editing to alter body shape or size.
• No creating skinnier arms or legs, or smoothing out wrinkles or curves - they are natural.
• Only make up products can be used to enhance a model's features - no post-processing editing of skin, etc. unless witnessed consent is provided by the model.
• Merging pictures for a commercial use should not be allowed.
• Photomontages should be allowed artistically or for political use only if there is a disclosure that states the image has been tampered with.
• Using another person's work and making small changes should not be allowed unless permission by the original artist is given.
• On some page in the published magazine, book, article, etc. there should be a side-by-side comparison of the edited image and the original (just as the one above).
• The basic integrity of the picture should be preserved.

Montage: Activity 2

Find two examples of political photomontages that are either from a historical or contemporary source. 

Discuss in what context they have been produced and how effective you think they communicate their intended message. 

Discuss the techniques that have been used to assemble the examples you have chosen and offer alternative ways that the artist could have put over the same message.

Museum Ludwig: Marenus, Drahtseilakt, Paris 1940

           This image was created in 1940, in the midst of the second world war. We see balancing on a tightrope Hitler and two of his followers, one on the other's back. This balancing act that is portrayed most likely symbolizes the tedious and comical attempt at world domination or at least world control by these dictators, which is a very easy message to understand; their walking on a tightrope shows tediousness with what they are doing and the expressions on their faces and positioning of their bodies adds to the effect. In addition to the tightrope, the bed of swords underneath them most likely represents their opponents and the consequences of their success and their failure. Marenus composed this picture by taking separate images of each man and layering them on top of one another, then used an image of a man on a tightrope to get the rope (he eliminated the man/woman) and then he took another image of swords or bayonets being raised in the air. It is likely that he also had a separate image for the barbell/balancing stick the bottom Nazi is holding. Using a similar concept, Marenus could have used another element from the circus such as a unicycle to convey the same message.

Defended to Death, Peter Kennard

           This image was produced during the Cold War, a war in which the Soviet Union and the United States had a suspenseful yet uneventful nuclear scare. Here we see an old-fashioned gas mask secured on Earth which acts as the face of a man, one eye with the American flag and the other with the Soviet/Communist flag (symbolizing the two enemies), and the mouthpiece of the mask being stuffed with nuclear missiles. Pretty straightforward. A composition of approximately five images (the globe, the mask, each flag, and missiles) Kennard used techniques such as layering to place each image in the appropriate place to convey the desired message, which is the toxicity of the Cold War and the hazards it would incur or was incurring already. I cannot think of an alternative means to clearly convey the same message.

Montage: Activity 1

Briefly discuss why you think painters of the Victorian period might have criticized these early photo montages and why the pictures were popular with the general public. (This technique of piecing together separate images to create one picture is again very popular with both artists and the media). 
What two reasons can you think of for this revival of an old technique?

Fading Away by Henry Peach-Robinson

Lonesome City Dweller by Herbert Bayer

           Painters of the Victorian period would have criticized these photo montages because they were more crafted than they were one photograph. It is likely that the painters felt attacked in that the photographers could capture life's moments and then combine them where the painters had to hand craft these moments themselves; the photographers were able to use their resources to create a unique and lifelike advantage that the painters did not possess.

           The general public likely enjoyed these pictures for those exact reasons. The montages consisted of multiple pictures which allowed the public to connect with the images - it also added a level of fright (second image above) and one of wonder and gloom (first image above). Art that can be connected with is valuable and this is what the photo montages created.

           I relate the revival of this technique to the cycling of fashion trends. High-waisted jeans and shorts were the trend in the 80's, went out of style for a decade or two, and they are now a trend today. Flannel shirts, floral prints, and pastel colors are other instances of this cycling. So, just as clothing cycles through its trends, photographic techniques do so as well. The other reason this technique may have been revived is that artists are feeling a stronger and stronger need to communicate important messages and moods to their audiences. With people being conditioned to pay attention to (or to ignore) as many visual stimuli there is an emerging need to create something that will stop people in their tracks and to make them truly think about what it is they are seeing.

         

Self-Image: Activity 3

Consider some of the social pressures that you think may shape your behavior and personal image. List the images most commonly associated with the categories or ‘boxes’ you have already listed in Activity 1.

How have you responded to social pressures to conform by adopting an appearance that relates to the categories that you feel you have placed in or have chosen?

            Because I am a teen I am expected to be crazy but mature at the same time, to have self-control and to have no knowledge of my limits. Social pressures like these have shaped both my behavior and personal image in that I -- now naturally -- always carry myself with high regards and with the air of an adult (most of the time). I have learned how to socialize cordially with adults and have educated myself enough to know my limits in nearly every aspect of my daily life, be it my limits with lacrosse or with those of food and drink. Another pressure of being a teenage girl, almost an adult, is that of dressing cutely. I am not fond of this when it is expected of me all the time. While most days I do my hair nicely, wear makeup every day, and dress well in jeans and clean Vans or dark boots with a variety of matching tops I would rather be wearing a comfortable hoodie and some sweat pants with my hair thrown up, and reading a book while having some tea. Not typical of the average teen but a favorite activity nonetheless.

Jessica Alba from fallwear.com

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Self-Image: Activity 2

Find images in the media, which have been used to represent attractive and unattractive aspects of the human face. Examine and record carefully the photographic techniques used to accentuate both these qualities, drawing up a list that relates to the images you have found. List the physical characteristics that we have come to admire in both the male and female face and write 100 words in response to the following questions.

   

Cara Delevingne from JustLuxe.com

Attractive: Cara Delevingne was 2012's model of the year, she is a Victoria's Secret model and is considered extremely attractive by millions of people. This picture was taken in a studio and the photographer used many techniques to highlight her facial features and make them stand out more than usual. They used direct lighting to eliminate useless shadows and also used a solid white background to contrast with her hair, skin tone, and clothing but also to allow her to slowly blend into the background near the edges. This image allows us to admire her eyebrows, lips, cheekbones, and silky skin (which is also done for men).

Image found on the Montana Meth Project's website

Unattractive: This billboard is an anti-meth campaign by the state of Montana. The boy in this picture has sores and scabs on his face, sunken-in cheeks, and extremely heavy bags under his eyes. One look tells us that this is not a desirable appearance for any typical person. Most likely, the photographer used make make-up to create the image of a meth-head, they used harder lighting on the sides of his face to accentuate his cheekbones and the bags under his eyes, and they used a solid black background to make his face the focal point of the image.

Do you believe that media images or public opinion are responsible for the characteristics of beauty becoming universal stereotypes? 

           Absolutely. Magazines, commercials, advertisements, and movie posters are all edited and manipulated to create the "perfect image" or to make someone more attractive than they actually are. Women are expected to be extremely thin and men are expected to be muscular and chiseled while also being well-kept/trimmed. While most people should take care of themselves, the media's insults of those who do not fit their ludicrous standards has gone too far. Across the globe the idea that a person's weight corresponds directly to their wealth (the fatter you are, the richer you are) has become the opposite.

Do you believe people admiring media images of glamorous models can do any harm?

           I do indeed. These models serve as the models for which society has learned to aspire to be. They desire the size and appearance of these models and many go to great lengths to achieve that ideal image. Some people develop eating disorders or feel it's necessary to count every calorie that goes into their body while some people take this ideal and use it to their advantage by exercising better eating habits and better physical habits as well. So I guess the harm in this is entirely dependent on the individual.

Self-Image: Activity 1

What follows is a list of characters that serve to define and divide us. Make a personal list of the categories you belong to or have a conflict with and visual symbols that are associated with each. Aspirations and expectations should also be listed.

Age/ Generation - Dictates levels of independence afforded to the individual.

           Being a seventeen year old is a large inhibitor of the way people treat and view me. I was born in 1996 and so I am considered a member of a generation that cares more about alcohol than politics and one that disregards education entirely. This is, however, the opposite in my case. I am not quite an adult but I am no longer a child which places me in an interesting situation - living with my parent and also working and being independent of them. A half-and-half sort of thing. Older people disregard my opinions because of my age but those that get to know me and actually take the time to listen to what I have to say always appear to respect my thoughts and opinions; they realize that I am self-aware and also aware of the ever-changing world around me.

Gender - Our gender affects the way we are treated by some individuals.

           I am a female. In most situations I am regarded as weak and incapable of doing "manly" things such as being capable of carrying heavy loads, of being able to have authority in the presence of others, of being lesser than males are. This is untrue. I play lacrosse. I am an excellent leader. I am just the same, and in some cases, better than any male I know. But I am always treated as I am lesser and this is absolutely unacceptable to me. Sometimes, however, this isn't always a bad thing.

Race - Prejudice and perceived racial superiority can affect hopes and aspirations.

           I am Caucasian (a.k.a. white) which does not place any overbearing influence of race on my life and on my actions. I am expected to behave normally and to achieve that which I know I can achieve. I know I am not superior to any other race and I do not think that this way of thinking is fair or right and so I do not let it affect my life. I know my race is no barrier.

Religion - Moral codes and ideologies that serve to guide, unite, and divide.

           Religion does not greatly affect my life either. I went through the motions at my Lutheran church (a branch of Christianity), completed Confirmation, and rarely return to the church. I suppose I am indifferent about religion; I respect the religions of others and believe that they may believe whatever they wish to believe but that does not mean that I have to as well. Honestly, I never felt drawn in by any religion. If I stick to my personal morals and values I know I will do good in this world.

Class or Caste - Classification that an individual may never escape from.

           Hmm... One class/caste that I am a part of is that of kids whose parents are divorced. I will always be known as the friend with divorced parents. Nothing new since 5th grade. I know this happened for the better and so it typically is not a burden but there are times where it distracts me from every other task at hand. There are more but I cannot think of them presently.

Personality - Extroverted and introverted are classifications of personality.

           In most instances I am an extrovert. I am not afraid to speak out and to lead people when a leader is necessary. I enjoy speaking and sharing my thoughts, but the introvert within me also recognizes the importance of listening. I often believe that I listen with the intent to understand rather than to respond (this works pretty well I'd say). All in all, however, the environment I am in and the people I am around determine the type of personality I have; I am no more so one than the other.

Intelligence - Educational establishments, based on IQ, often segregate us.

           I am smart. Since this is related to IQ I believe mine is over 130, and this above-average intelligence puts a lot of pressure on my accomplishments. I am expected to produce higher-quality work and to perform at a level well beyond that of many of my peers. Normally this is not an issue. I have been enrolled in numerous honors and Advanced Placement courses and am fully capable of handling the heavier workloads and of doing my work wholeheartedly and completely. I have also been in some regular classes and this is where I under-perform due to boredom - busywork only gets me so far. Because of my placement in these honors courses I am not friends with many of the students who are not in these classes. To be honest, they kind of bother me. They aren't challenged or interested and so they're just a distraction.

Political Persuasion - Left wing or right wing. Each carries its own ideology.

           I typically fall under the side of being a Democrat. I believe in marriage equality and am pro-choice, amongst other things, and that is about all I know about my "persuasion". Generally I think politics is a corrupted system and one that is excruciatingly self-centered. Money this and money that are all that is ever said about the government and that does not help their image whatsoever. Due to this I tend to stay out of any political affairs; life is less stressful that way.