I believe that the image of the American woman has changed drastically over the past years. Now more than ever, women are excelling in the political, corporate, educational, athletic world, etc. Why then, we might ask, are divorce rates and stress levels mounting while the number of happy women in our country swiftly declines?
“Each year since 1972, the United States General Social Survey has asked men and women: "How happy are you, on a scale of 1 to 3, with 3 being very happy, and 1 being not too happy?" Since 1972, women's overall level of happiness has dropped, both relative to where they were forty years ago, and relative to men. You find this drop in happiness in women regardless of whether they have kids, how many kids they have, how much money they make, how healthy they are, what job they hold, whether they are married, single or divorced, how old they are, or what race they are.”
From what I have observed, women today are expected to have it all together. In my photo, I tried to depict the idea of the modern American woman- a woman of veiled conflict. My model is dressed in an attractive outfit, emphasizing the importance of the exterior in today’s society. Tension is highlighted through the use of an unusual camera angle and strong diagonals.
The book (representative of education/ corporate rank) hides an American woman who might not have it all together.
I love the model's clothing choice, and how she's hiding her face behind a book, peering out from behind it as if she's scared to death of you seeing her face; what she truly is.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that confuses me is the background. The message would be much stronger if she was standing in a 'professional' background - an elevator, an office room, something like that. In those environments, the pressure is really high, and to have that sort of environment for the picture would make the pressure motif much stronger. The cloth background is a little too soft and comfy.
I really like your approach to this assignment. This wasn't a topic that came to my mind when we were instructed to interpret the modern human body, but it's completely true. I also like your bold quote at the top! ;0)
ReplyDeleteI love the representations you give for each part of the picture. I think that the connections you made with the image of women in society today. This is a great contrast and also similarity to the image of women we have been learning about. GREAT JOB FRAN!
ReplyDeleteI like the angle of the photo and the intense and distinct colors of the book, and jacket, and pants. I appreciate the conflict outlined in the comment because, alone, the picture is kind of funny. But with the description of the changing woman adds a weight and depth to the photo
ReplyDeletethe perspective of the image and her eye especially convey the idea you are striving to show. I like your choice in clothing, everything you chose seems to "pop". The red book does this well. I feel like the book draws my eyes to then see her eyes. Then to see her position in life.
ReplyDeleteThe color of the book is really striking. I like the ideas behind the photo: so often we hide behind our exterior because we think we're expected to be perfect. The dramatic angle makes the photo really dynamic.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of separation between the head and the body by the book. I see the stress and confusion that is portrayed on her face as separate from the emotions portrayed by the body. I also like how the the face is so close to the camera, this makes it easier for the emotion to take over the picture.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me somewhat about Cindy Sherman's work and her self-portraiture speaking on the roles of women in society. All the elements in the picture work together well, and I think it is respectable that you left a lot of interpretive potential up to the viewer. mozletav.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting that so much of the woman is obscured by the book in this image. Her eye draws me in and keeps me from just dismissing the image. the editing is effective too. nice work.
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