In analysis of a picture takes different formats. The analysis of photography takes on different
Formats depending on the constructs or ideologies used in that analysis.
Representation
Representation as an artistic construct involves the art of depiction of one idea or object to represent another idea or another object or even person. It is the use of one thing to stand in for something else (Neill & Aaron, 3). Different objects are arranged within an art form so as to create certain meanings.
In the art of photography, objects in a photograph may be specially arranged in certain ways so as to invoke certain meanings and communicate certain messages.
Analysis is of the picture reveals certain attempts of representation. The picture is a Ralph Lauren safari advertisement. It contains the picture of a woman in a sleeveless dress, a bottle of perfume, a woman going on a safari as well as pictures of palm beached-hotels. The picture is divided in to four parts. In an assessment of it, it may be concluded that the use of pictures of woman to advertise safari would be indicative of a representation on sophistication. The picture seems to represent safari as a sophisticated thing that is to be associated with sophisticated women. The perfume bottle in the picture is associated with sophistication and finesse and the inclusion of the same with safari seeks to represent safari as a sophisticated thing.
Ideology
Ideology is a way of perceiving or viewing things. In the analysis of the photo, there is a depiction of certain ideologies that the photo is seeking to propagate.
Photography inmost cases usually support certain ideologies or existing social constructs. I the photo presented the photo appears to propagate the idea that he association of beauty with things makes those things more desirable. The use of provocatively-posing women in a photo designed to advertise adventurous tourism seems to lend credibility to the fact that association of things with representations of sophistication, sex and beauty makes them more alluring. the inclusion of the beautiful bottle of perfume in the picture further lends support o the same ideology, visually asserting that the association of the beauty and desirability of perform when associated with a totally non-related concept such a s adventure, creates a desirability for the latter.
Gaze
The gaze in photography refers to a relationship of power between the producer of the picture and the object that is being looked upon (Neill & Aaron, 12). Power is usually accorded to the looker more than the object being viewed. The looker usually has more power than the image looked at because he or she has the power to determine how to perceive the image that he or she is observing.
Binary opposition on the other hand goes to further refine the idea of perception. It addresses the perspectives of different viewers based on their context, for instance gender. Male gaze would perceive the photograph as predominantly embracing sexual ideologies. The photograph was mainly designed with a male gaze in mind. A female gaze would mainly perceive the adventurous messages in the picture.
Post modernism
The influence of post modernism on the picture analysis mainly affects the viewer’s ideologies and way of looking at things. The influence of postmodernism on people influences the way in which they perceive certain things. An interpretation of the picture with a postmodern mindset would leave it open to many different interpretations. Although the picture appears to be set in the early nineties and would appear backward to certain modern viewer, postmodern minds would view the picture as appealing and not backward. This is because post modernism embraces thing sin their own right and seeks to break free from stereotypes. Many stereotypes that would be traditionally associated with the picture would not necessarily be so, when viewed by a postmodernist.
Works Cited
Alex, Neill and Aaron, Ridley .Arguing About Art: Contemporary Philosophical. New York: Routledge.
2002. Print.