OVERVIEW
Created for my Digital Imaging class, the below image is a critique of the use of models in fashion advertising, deriving its three visual metaphors directly from the source fashion advertisement.
DETAILS
The ominous blue shadow is simply a darkened version of the same shadow already present in the original adversisement. This shadow does not match up with the model, but is rather an external force watching and controlling the model, a fitting metaphor for the control the advertising agency holds over the model’s image.
The addition of the ribcage was influenced by the curious draping of fabric over the model's chest in the original image, which creates alternating lines of light and dark. It immediately reminded me of an x-ray of a chest. It’s as if the model were simply a bone structure draped with the featured clothing; a scaffold for the product.
The decision to add ropes holding her arms was not trivial. I ran the risk of it looking gimmicky. I added them to emphasize the terribly awkward pose the photographer has her strike. She appears false and lifeless as if her posture is being willed upon her, which is exactly what is happening.
SOURCES
This work was created for educational purposes to be a critique of the fashion advertising industry. The work is not intended to be a direct criticism of Calvin Klein™ and I make no claims to ownership of the second image. However, the first image is original content, through the use of appropriation. The ribcage, unable to be personally photographed, was found on Flickr, a creative-commons licensed source.
The image is owned by user capefearmuseum and can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/capefearmuseum/5553301642/sizes/o/
