F06 :: Feminist Film Studies

What I chose was from the vlog site Annieisms, Is It?, about a young woman and her everyday adventures as a 20 year old college student. I was really nervous about writing about a vlog entry, because I had no idea what I could possibly say about someone who is talking about personal experiences and nothing else. However, there was something really entertaining about this vlog, and the simplicity and everyday aspect of it (without being too artsy or intuitive). This vlog reminded me of a reality cooking show with her friend. She shows each ingredient of the meal, with the name at the bottom of the screen for each, just like in cooking shows. Also, by using a fade-out and fade-in, it is as if she is highlighting the important aspects of cooking and how one would make the meal. There was a real personal aspect to it, since she switches from the camera as her point of view, so the viewer beomes an extension of the author, as well as another guest for dinner by watching both of them converse. Also, since the majority of the vlog entry is a close up view, there is a sense that we are all squished into her small kitchen. Through this vlog entry, Annie is inviting her viewers over for dinner and we get to see the final product at the end, as if we just sat down at the table.

Here is the vlog entry:
http://mirror4.video.blip.tv/Annieee-cookingWithRuzbeh979.mov

Posted by Claire Eastwold at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

< Hey everyone....I must say that this was my first ever Vlog watching experience, and it went pretty well! I browsed through one of the sites that Rachel gave us, and I found a very interesting vlog titled, "Chasing Windmills". I chose it initially because the name caught my attention. It is a short film of about 5 minutes, and it is done completely in black and white. There were a lot of different sub-plots going on, which gave me the impression that it may be a preview of a longer vlog that willl be posted later. The most exciting thing for me was that it takes place in Minneapolis. Famiiliar sites like First Avenue Venue, the Metrodome, and others kept popping into the vlog. There are many close up shots of the characters faces, answering machines, price tags, words (on signs, billboards, and shirts), and each frame is taken with a specific and thoughtfull camera angle. There are "break-ups" that punctuate the story, and it was interesting to me that in each encounter, it was the woman who was breaking up with the man. The phrase "man ban" and celebate were used in one scene... I didn't notice a specific male 'gaze', but take a look for yourselves! It is fun, interesting, and familiar...plus there is music playing throughout the vlog which I found lovely - Enjoy! >
mailto:http://mirror4.video.blip.tv/Jadelr-CHASINGWINDMILLSEp000Overture310.mov

Posted by Lara Healy at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This vlog by Daniel Liss is from Rachel’s favorite list. There were several vblogs to choose from, but I found the entry, “Seven Maps: Sixth Map,” to be the most interesting. Basically, the vlog has a man (off-screen) narrating (non-diagetic) a very dark story in French about how his grandfather’s “masterpiece” affected his whole family in both positive and negative ways. This so-called “masterpiece” sadly involved his grandfather, Guillaume, commit suicide by jumping off a high column. Like the images that follow the narration, his grandfather’s last words, “I love this column. I hate this column” are as strange and abstract. However, the editing helps the viewers to relate to such a contradicting thought—hating and loving something at the same time. Toward the beginning of the vlog, a repeated shot of the column is shown at an empowering low-angle. It even appears to be blinding because the sun is in view at that type of angle. Later on, however, editing allows it to get connected with a beautiful garden scene. Apparently, this garden is where both he and his father were conceived. Although the column represents his grandfather’s death, it also symbolizes the beginning of more generations. The “incident” was ironically about the same day that his grandmother found out that she was pregnant—so a “new life” (the narrator’s father) was growing inside of her. There are also numerous shots where it would pause and focus on certain objects in the mise-en-scene. In a way, this helps to emphasize that fact that it’s from the narrator’s point of view. His shaky hand-held camera and focusing vision leads the viewer to gaze in on a very personal perspective. For example, when the narrator explained how his father was conceived on a certain bench in the garden, the camera would quickly center and pause to linger on that bench in order to point out its significance to the plot. Overall, I enjoyed this very artistic vlog. It actually made me think, unlike the several hundred “junk” vlogs that I visited before hand.

View this vlog here:

http://pouringdown.tv/

Posted by Elizabeth Bodnia at 11:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

view vlog here

I found this blog through Rachel's favorite vlog examples below; it is by Daniel Liss. This vlog -- called Seven Maps: Seventh Map -- is a video-journal of Liss's week-long trip from Buffalo, New York to Niagaria Falls, Ontario. The vlog is created in a way that the viewer sees exactly what the filmmaker is seeing; it is Liss's point of view. He filmed all of the stops he made along the way, as well as various people he met everywhere he went. Throughout the vlog there is a voice-over, spoken by Liss, that is more-or-less explaining the reason behind his post. He explains some of the images, such as who the people on the screen are and how he met them, as well as his intention to the viewer. He states that sometimes he is too cryptic in his work, but I believe his intention was to shsow the viewers his point of view. One shot showed lipstick written on a mirror that simply said "you"; i think this reiterates that it is what you would see had you been there, it is his point of view.
Liss uses various filming techniques thoughout the blog. All of the shots appear to be hand-held, which makes sense since he seemss to be by himself, and it is the vlog of his journey. At certain times in the vlog, the film speeds up and is shown in faster time, which creates a sense of urgency to the viewer. It seems to happen when Liss is explaining a particularly eventful time in the journey. One of the most amazing parts of this post is Liss's choice of shot and on what he chooses to focus. For example, in his attempt to show the viewer our own point of view, he films very close shots of typical items, such as a woman holding lipstick, or the image of the food he is eating. All of this combined creates exactly what Liss was trying to convey: his journey from the viewer's visual point of view.
(and I definately know why Rachel likes this filmmaker so much; his work is amazing!!)

Posted by Whitney Schulte at 07:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Hold my Beer and Watch This!" is a Vlog that chronicles a beer tasting adventure shared by Stephanie and her father. The Vlog begins with Stephanie in a close-up shot explaining what this Vlog will be about. Then on her personal hand held camcorder sha pans the pub they are at so viewers can get a sense of location. After doing this we get a shot of her dad who is sitting across the table from her. The rest of the Vlog captures them in a mid-shot. You can see that they are taking glasses of beer for sampling and trying them as well. It was a very personal look into the lives of these two people. I know some may say how is this intimate? I would say it is because this (beer) is clearly something this father and daughter have in common. They are sharing their common ground with the world which I think is very personal. It makes me reflect on all of the dads I know who im sure would love to be able to have beer as a common ground with their own daughters. This Vlog made me happy, it made me reflect on personal experiences with my own dad. It was a very simple homemade Vlog, but in being so simple it gave back quite a bit to me the viewer.
The link to view this Vlog is http://mortaine.blogspot.com/
I will get the actual Vlog up as soon as I can figure out how, SORRY!

Posted by Jen Rodgers at 05:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Watch the blog here:
view vlog

I chose a video from the "29 fragile days" vlog. The short video, called "Is life boring?" features a split screen (the whole time) that shows footage of people and things in motion. The music for the vlog is very appropriate, it is a moderately paced urban-sounding beat that flows well with the video. The editing is done very well. Half the screen will show parts of a shot and then a wider shot using the whole screen will present a different perspective of the same scene. For example, the left side of the scene will show a shot of a dirt road and a little bit of a cows head, bobbing and walking down the road. Then the right scene will show a shot of the cow's body taken at the same moment in time. The left scene then moves on to a shot of a highway at dusk. It is not only used as a smooth transition, I think it also allows the viewer to make comparisons with different ways to get from here to there. Many other shots also show animals and people in motion, including a dove taking off and shots taken of water from a boat.
The summary that the vlog director wrote was that the video was a collection of shots that he had not found a place for in other posts. I think a possible theme is exploring all the ways he and other lving things move and live. The videos are diverse from bus stops in the city to open waters. I think it is interesting to note that some of the first shots show the most urban areas (the bus stop and a city street) then you see a really rural shot (the cow) and the rest of the video has a suburban feel to it. It went from one extreme to another then leveled out in the middle. It moved well and was enjoyable. Some shots were kindof dark (maybe it's my computer screen) so I could not make them out.

Posted by Rachel Lawson at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

"What Everyone Else Was Talking About"

This is a diary post, as the narrator in this vlog entry describes. The video follows the creator during his day as he contemplates and thinks aloud. The entire video is shot from the creator's point of view. In addition, most, if not all of the video uses hand-held shots. The way this video was filmed, along with the narration, gives it a very personal feel. Viewers feel like they are right there with the creator, not only experiencing and seeing the same things but also experiencing them in the same way because he is telling you what he is thinking and noticing. I think that the narration is essential to this piece. The creator's voice brings you inside what he is thinking about, wondering, and feeling and you are able to see the world as he sees it. The use of jump cuts brings us from one thought to another, mimicking the way the brain works sometimes as it jumps from thought to thought. The creator also uses music to add to the intimacy of the video. There is a repeating loop of music, almost just ambient noise, which drowns out most of the other sounds and leaves you to listen and think about what he is saying.

The director of this video uses all of these techniques to create a very intimate and personal journey. As I viewed this entry I was completely drawn in to his life and thoughts as he contemplates throughout the day. The video moves fast, especially with the use of certain filming techniques such as a hand-held camera and jump cuts. However, I think it really succeeds at slowing life down. The creator makes little life moments and thoughts, which would normally be ignored, the focus of this entry. It’s nice to slow down from life’s busy pace and take a minute to enjoy the little things. Sometimes you have to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, the mint.

Posted by Tegan Conway at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

http://dek.blip.tv/file/64727

Little Terrorist found on Ticklebooth

Synopsis:
Jamal, a young muslim boy, accidentally looses his cricket ball while playing with friends. It crosses the border to India where soldiers fire upon him while he dodges landmines. The guards search for him and find an Indian school master who sends the guards away. The school master takes him to his village where they cut Jamal's hair to fool the soldiers. The schoolmaster then sneaks him back to the border where he is returned to his mother who is joyous to see her son, but then spanks him for cutting his hair. The boy can do nothing but laugh.

Shot Analysis:
The film utilizes a lot of P.O.V shots during high tension timss for the Jamal. The director chose this to put us there at the border as Jamal to see the tower above us, the mines below us and the soldiers aiming at us. These P.O.V put us further into the body of Jamal because they were handheld shots that shook and darted across the landscape. A good example of the tension it portrays is when it is juxtaposed against other shots that are not. When the soldiers find the school master, the soldier's view and the school master's are steady. A cut to the boy hiding with a handheld P.O.V makes us feel his uncertainty and fear.
Another way in which the tension of this piece is executed is through the editiing and music. When the wife of the school master cuts his hair, the pacing of cuts is greatly speed up. High tempo music is also added to further raise tensions.
One of my favorite sequences is starts with a close-up of Jamal, a pan to the left that reveals a guard tower, cuts to a shot of his leg (urine dripping down) and another tower in the top right of the frame, then a pan to follow him running to the left part of the frame. Music is utilized in this portion with a single drum beat to emphasize the discovery of the tower, silence to heighten tension and high tempo music to accompany the escape.

Story Analysis:
This short film depicts the state conflict with terrorists that even children are now suspect. At the same time it
shows the unity that can exist between two cultures, no matter how different they may be. I thought this was a very solid piece of cinema and deserves your attention.

Posted by John Komarek at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

WARNING: If your computer is too slow to view the videos linked in this post, please visit the FMC (468 Ford) or one of these other computer labs on campus, to complete this assignment.

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Confused? Unsure where to begin? Read about what a videoblog (or vlog) is here:

NY Times article: Watch Me Do This and That Online
Wikipedia definition: Vlog
Vlogging Resources: Freevlog.org
Yahoo Videoblogger's Group

This Week's Assignment:
You are the spectator’s gaze, peering into other’s lives, through their videoblogs (vlogs). Visit some of the vlogs linked on our course blog (or other vlogs you may encounter in your own search) and report back on this course blog. You may consider posting on: an analysis of the gaze(s), use of personal narratives, visual style, editing, feminist activism, themes that refelct course material or whatever seems most relevant to you.

Please know the vloggers will have access to read what you’ve posted & will probably know that you linked to them. You may be critical, but do not write any personal attacks, racist or sexist comments or inappropriate commentary on our blog.

The point of this assignment is to:
1) see what video work people create & distribute online
2) employ some of the concepts and analytic tools we’re learning in this course
3) get intrigued, inspired or whatever you feel in response to the work you viewed

Assignment Requirements:

* Write a short paragraph or two, posting a response to a particular vlog entry, or you may choose to analyze a body of work on a vlog (which requires a bit more analysis).

* Your entry must include in-depth analysis that reflects understanding of course materials, discussion, concepts and terminology.

* You must LINK your post to the vlog or particular entry you viewed.

* You must post by NOON on Monday, 10/2!

NOTE: You should focus on ONE vlog post or vlog site, and include in-depth analysis. My example (below) includes a number of entries to give you samples of what I'm watching/enjoying and why, with little analysis.

!!! AVOID VIDEO SPAM !!!
(think of SPAM emails) - you know the garbage you want to delete immediately. Avoid junk video (you'll have a tough time analyzing this material using key terms as instructed below).

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RACHEL'S ASSIGNMENT EXAMPLES:

My favorite vlog:

pouringdown.tv

This vlog is by Daniel Liss, a photographer and independent filmmaker. This site is his personal space (not work for hire) and his way to express himself. This site has some great posts - watch them!

My favorite entries on this vlog site:

1 - theory/practice - an entry about the theory and practice of this videoblogger's craft.

His visual style is moving. He opens with the fog resting on the outside of a building. He uses music to get us from cut to cut. He tells the narrative (taking his sleeping baby to the botanical gardens), but says "I don't point the camera and explain...". Instead, he shows us visually (he calls it "tangentially".

He varies the framing - revealing both the landscape and the details of his world. He makes a simple shot - of a pencil scratching notes on paper - so beautiful. He explains his vlog stylistically: I add music, I play with the image. Does this stop being a vlog? This is my world - this is how I see it, how I think it - I vlog it for you...

Many videobloggers have written vlogging manifestos (with rules about what counts and what doesn't in terms of being a vlog), this may be Daniel's thoughts on the subject.

2 - neighbors - an eloquent piece reflecting on a neighbor who recently passed

In this short clip, Daniel structures the piece with a personal voiceover. The content is very emotional (death, AIDS, and the way people interact with each other) and he chooses stylistic, visual elements to tell this story. He uses extreme close-ups of water droplets hitting the windowsill in a sad dance, the sound of the rain, sad music, and color seemingly painted on the frame (using soft focus). He holds each shot for a time, seemingly slow, but the pacing perfectly matched to the eloquence of the piece. He thought about leaving flowers but didn't, instead, he leaves this post.

Other Vlog Posts I enjoy:

1 – from Vidlicious women vlogger collective (which has LOTS of great links):

Stretching Before and After on identity, womanhood, personal narratives

2 - from scratchvideo.tv

measure 2wice. cut once. - vlog post on getting fitted for a wedding and how long it takes to make breasts

Posted by Rae at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This image is very obviously from the cover of the magazine Cosmopolitan. The shot is a mid shot, as are every photograph that they place on the cover of their magazine. These photographs upset me so much because it is always an image of some actress or singer in a very provocative way with the come hither look on their face. This upsets me because they promote it as a “helping” magazine for women, but all they do is make you feel bad about yourself. As I said earlier it is a mid shot, because one is able to see the placement of her hands. The lighting in the photograph is high-key lighting, allowing for the women to appear very beautiful, with a certain glow to her skin. The overall purpose of the photograph is to supply women with an image of what they should desire to look like.

Posted by Amanda Amundson at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

this image was chosen for it’s powerful composition. visually, the lingering smoke draws the wandering eye into the image. once there, the woman’s gaze communicates intensity, while the lighting accentuates the contemplative intrigue of her lips. black and white is quite a way to make a statement, no?? the close up takes all context away, here it is of no importance. this chica demands all the attention::: and she gets it.
i read this as a message of control, of contemplative conquering soon to come…

Posted by Fletcher Barnhill at 02:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is a mid, two shot. It is a low angle shot, so the camera is angled up towards the women, causing them to look more powerful. When I thought about this assignment, I wanted to find an image that conveyed women in a way that exposed their courage and dignity. I think that the image of these two women with cancer covers that. These women are motivated and out doing something for their cause and are helping not only themselves, but women (people) for the future. I think that is a big part of feminism. It is not always about you or us right now, but about the effort to make changes for the years to come.

Posted by Bridget Brewer at 08:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This photo is from the Neiman Marcus website. It's a model wearing clothes by Jean Paul Gaultier for this fall. I chose this photo for a variety of reasons. First, I like to view feminism as a positive movement. I don't believe it always has to be in response to something negative or juxtaposition to something degrading. Women can be strong, beautiful, and independent all by themselves.

This photo of the model is a long shot. Her entire body from head to toe is in view. This photo is all about the model. She’s slightly off center to keep the photo interesting. The camera has slightly been crabbed left. The background appears to be a corner of a mono-chromatic room, which grounds the model preventing her from appearing as a floating object. The angle of the shot is at a slight low angle. It’s not low enough to be a worm’s eye shot. The model appears confident and in charge of the situation as a result of the camera angle chosen. The lighting in this shot is coming from right side and is slightly raised creating a shadow that’s positioned lower than the model on her right. The light bounces off of the left side of her face, left hand, and left knee. Her white skin has a perfect glow. This totally contrasts with the dark outfit composed mainly of black and shades of dark brown, and the background which is cement gray.

I chose this photo because this is a high fashion add from an exclusive department store. The model appears to be in great health, and she’s in a seriously empowered pose. I love that fashion and women can have a healthy relationship.

Posted by Matthew Shapiro at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here is my top ten in no particular order.

1. Steel magnolias
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Constantine
4. Garden State
5. Dazed and Confused
6. Traffic
7. Masters of the Universe (Old He-man movie from my childhood that I love)
8. The Goonies
9. Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
10. The Bodyguard

Posted by Amanda Amundson at 05:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In this photograph, an eye-level, medium-level shot, LaChapelle has chosen to position his subject centrally, while making certain that every aspect of the frame is active, or balanced. That is, if one were to divide the image into quadrants, each quadrant contains an active element designed to keep the eye moving in a circular motion. Thus, the eye is drawn to the prominent watermelon, with its missing segment, the arm, which frames the head, moves to the watermelon slice, to the breasts, and back to the watermelon. The legs, as they are cut off at the bottom of the frame, function merely as a frame within the photograph for the watermelon. There is an oversaturation of color in the photograph, creating a kind of “hyperreality” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperreality) befitting both the pose and the subject matter. The figure in the photograph is frozen in an exaggerated pose: smile with teeth apart, arm raised behind the head in a fan-like gesture, a piece of watermelon poised in hand. However, the subject itself is exaggerated: a nude, which appears to be hyperfeminine (elements of plastic surgery visible), overly tanned, if not actually non-white, coiffed hair, and incredibly long, pink fingernails.
Here it is key to note the context: the subject in this photograph is Amanda Lepore – a highly notorious transsexual (and a white transsexual at that). It would be easy to read this piece as an act of full-bodied minstrelsy (as I read the figure in blackface/body) invoking the vernacular of “Ain’t It Ripe?” portraiture, which focused on the youthful pickaninny and their lust for watermelon. In “Ain’t It Ripe?” it was typically a young male represented, as a precursor to the Sambo Marlon Riggs addresses in his film, Ethnic Notions (http://www.newsreel.org/transcripts/ethnicno.htm). Here, the watermelon is used to signify a “black woman’s” sexuality. Ironically, white male painters of the 1860s utilized black females in relation to (white) nudes to signify hyper-sexuality and misogyny, usually in the form of servants. However, LaChapelle, a queer artist, utilizes camp to toy and comment on racial stereotypes/objectification by utilizing a white transsexual to vogue outrageous female sexuality (the aforementioned long nails, coiffed hair), still rooted in the pleasing glee of bodily enjoyment – namely food and sex. Watermelon, of course, has particular racial and sexual connotations itself, namely “ripeness” as feminine, sexual. There is little argument that Amanda Lepore is representing former white male dominance, though it could be argued that there might still be a danger in masculinity (even queer, as LaChapelle and Lepore qualify) camping the sexualization of the Other, or if it is really serving to question the stereotype (and its embedded meaning) of black femininity/sexuality, even as it is used politically as camp. However, I personally feel that Lepore is not necessarily approaching the female body as “Other.” This “performance (as it is an act of posing)” I think is also calling attention to the absurd mutability of racial and sexual iconographies. Interesting to note, this photograph is characterized (according to the art site I found it on) as a “nude” rather than a “portrait” despite the fact that Amanda Lepore, as a subject, is the title of the piece.

Posted by Beth Chekola at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I chose this image because its an image that used to be quite shocking for me. This is an Afghani woman wearing a burkah. A little background, the burkah is the suffocating dress women were forced to wear during the rule of the Taliban. When I first saw a woman in a burkah, it was about six years ago, I was haunted by the picture. Now I have seen so many I now mostly feel anger at the site. The image represents oppression and pain. the burkah strips women of all feminine qualities, making them ghosts. I wanted to use this image to counter the standard American images that stereotype and eventuate the feminine form. I want people to think about a more intense oppression. Objectifying women through photos like the one we saw in class is something we need to be aware of. But denying womanhood is terrible. This image breaks my heart.

The medium close up makes us uncomfortably aware of the fact that this woman is separated from the world. no matter how close anyone gets, they can never no this woman, and they are not allowed to. The worst part is, her isolation is not her choice. you can see this through her submissive form. the lighting makes her stand out against a blurred background. there is nothing else to focus on, but once again there is no way to know who she is.

Posted by Allison Rogne at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is another image of one of most famous sex symbols, Marilyn Monroe. This is a long shot with her in the center of the photograph, sitting down on a playground surrounded by trees, in Long Island. She is outside, with after noon sunlight pouring onto the landscape. The lighting creates a natural feel for the photo, instead of the glamourous photos she is usually seen in.

What I found intriguing about this photo is that instead of posing in sexual manner, putting focus on her body, she is shot casually reading Ulysses. In most of the images I have seen her in, she seems to have a naive and flirtatious look on her face, while usually exposing her legs and cleavage, leaving people with the thought that she is nothing more than a flawless body. This image shows an intellectual side to Ms. Monroe, proving that she is much more than just a sex symbol.

Posted by Nicole Zroka at 03:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

http://www.pacificvillage.org/villagevoices/lakeside05/archives/Lashihai%20woman%20200.JPG

I chose this photo of a Lashihai woman in China because it isn't typical for women to be portrayed doing physical labor in America. This woman's face glows with delight even though she is working. The shot is a medium long shot focusing on her confident gaze at the camera. She's not wearing any fancy clothing nor is her body contorted in any sexual way. She's leaning slighly forward to balance the basket on her back; its very practical and ordinary, yet we don't see photos like this often. I think it was my choice because the joy and amusement on her face is uncommon in such a setting and circumstance. This is not our culture, however, so I am applying the norms that we are bombarded with daily. I wish this sort of image, the reality of other cultures, were more prevalent in our culture, rather than the airbrushed, sexy models and prescription pill fantasy world of the American media.

Posted by Stephanie Hagen at 03:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This image is an eye level long shot of Jennifer Aniston. She appears to be walking down the street with an angry look on her face in dark langerie, which isn't typical of her "girl next door" character. There doesn't appear to be much lighting, which I think helps set the mood of the photograph. I think that doing the picture in black and white and the fact that it is a little grain-y gives the image a bit of an edge. If it had been in color, I don't think that even with the same facial expression, it would give off the same vibe.

I chose this particular image because it is such a simple shot, yet still says a lot. It shows an emotion (in this case anger) and it shows sex.... two things that women are typically associated with in society. I think a lot of women get anry at the stereotypes we're given or that we are only portrayed as sex symbols and whatnot... I say embrace it.

Posted by Nicky Cebertowicz at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This image is of Faith Hill performing at the 2003 Grammy Awards Show. In the image Faith is centered directly in the middle of the shot. Her body takes up the full top to bottom view of the image. She is gazing directly out at the viewer and seems to be singing to them. The lighting of the image is coming from all over, however her body is in gold and cream and contrasts nicely against the dark blue/black background. The lighting also makes her skin and her hair glow and the light from above reflecting off of her hair makes her look angelic. The mood of the piece is very calming. She is singing very confidently but with style and grace that is not intimidating.
The reason I chose this image is because I really like Faith Hill. I think she is a great representation of the modern woman, who is able to have everything she wants: a family, a career, and unimaginable beauty. I also think that this picture shows her as an entertainer. While her beauty and feminine sexuality is usually capitalized on, this shows her in action and what she is really like while performing. She does not have to act like a sex-kitten to be charming to her audience.

Posted by Maggie Sullivan at 01:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I didn't really know what I was going to do when I got this assignment, but somehow this image popped up into my head and I had to find it. This is a picture of Tori Amos nursing a pig. When I first saw this image I thought it was really strange, but there was something that I liked about it too. At first it seems creepy that she is suckling a pig, but the look on her face (and the pig's) is very serene and peaceful. Both she and the pig seem very content. I'm not really sure what the intent of this image is, I assume that the photographer or Tori had something in mind, but I just like it because it is different. I think it is a positive, maternal image. The light in the image is all focused on her, the background is dark. It is a very warm light, like sunshine that especially highlights her face. Although her shirt is unbuttoned, it is not in a sexual way, it is in a natural way that is normal when breastfeeding. Also the look on her face is not sexual in any way. She is looking to the side like she is gazing out a window or something. The colors in the picture are all subdued and natural with the exception of her bright red hair, which even in this photo doesn't seem so bright.

Posted by Nora Goustin at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

This reaction shot is an extreme close up of one woman screaming at another woman who is inches from her face. The shot is slightly low angle creating the effect that the viewer is slightly below the screaming woman. The camera is even with the woman’s mouth. High-key lighting is used so that the viewer can see every detail of the woman’s face. You can see all her teeth, the spots on her tongue, the highlights in her hair, and you can even see tiny freckles on her cheek. The mood of this image intense. We don't know why she is screaming because it’s so close up. All we do know is that she is screaming with her tongue out at another woman, whose reaction is blocked from view.

I chose this image because it stood out to me. I think it’s unusual, and I wanted our bog to have something a little different than previous entries. I also chose this image because I like the reaction it gives me. The woman screaming looks sort of happy and excited. It looks like her energy is just spilling out. It’s hard to say what this image means, I’m sure that is up to the individual. To me it represents uncontrollable joyful energy being shared between to young women, a stage in life where you no longer look like a girl but still may feel that way at times.

Posted by Emily Burt at 01:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is a picture of a women with a surf board. It is taken as a close-up shot on a beach. She is obviously not wearing much of anything. The background colors are very bland. Her swimming-suit and board are very bright. I believe the camara man did this to bring attention to her body. The lighting is bright around her colorful image as well. This picture could have the meaning that this girl is waiting for "someone". I also portray this image as being a sexual one. One may think the board could be something else, i.e. a huge male penis.
I chose this image to share because so many other pictures are like this one. The typical women in a swimming-suit. Society is very centered around these types of images. Why is this? Why can't we celebrate a fully clothed, (confident in herself), picture of women? I am not saying everyone does this, but many tend to gravitate to these images.

Posted by Ashley Schmitz at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This photo is a high angle shot looking slightly up at the woman, maybe as if you were sitting at on a bench. It is a view of half her body. While the focus could be thought of as chest level, it is not prominent; a buttoned up black dress shirt covers her chest showing off nothing, while the rest of her body is clad in a nicely tailored business suit. Her focus is off camera; while she is the subject of the photograph she is not concerned with the camera. My first impression of the image was of a busy woman. She wears a suit that makes her appear to be a classy business woman. The focus is entirely on her with a blur of a building and some fencing behind her. While she still looks beautiful the image does not show off her body which seemed to be the focus in many of the photos I searched through. The feeling I get from this image is empowering, she looks like a strong powerful woman in the middle of her busy day. Working and succeeding without using her beauty or body to sell herself (when in retrospect she is probably a model who does use her body to provide for her).

Posted by Sarah Clapp at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004TJOE.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

In the last two movies I watched starring Katharine Hepburn, she played a surprisingly strong female character. Surprising, because at the time these black and white flicks were filmed, women were more often shown in docile, stereotypical roles. So it’s with mixed feelings that I view this advertisement for "Woman of the Year."

Hepburn, chin in hand, cheeks flushed with blush, stares happily into the eyes of a suited man, who returns his gaze (although you can’t see his eyes). Hepburn’s eyes seem to twinkle playfully, as though she’s in control of the relationship with the man (who appears to be a love interest) or she knows something that he doesn’t. This attitude points toward Hepburn’s character possibly being the strong female character I expect to see.

But then there’s the film’s title, written in angled cursive below. Although it states "Woman of the Year," the focus of the poster is not on the woman shown. While my eyes are drawn to her more, being on the right side of the page, which is where are eyes ultimately rest when viewing images (usually), the angles in her posture and her gaze persuade you to look at the man she’s sitting with. This creates a power struggle that takes away from the title of "Woman of the Year," and also implies that to earn this moniker, a woman must still cater to, or be involved with, a man.

Posted by Kristen Mueller at 11:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This image of Marilyn Monroe was taken using a long shot frame. You can see her from head to toe even though she is sitting down. The focus is on Marilyn. She is directly in the center of the picture. In a way, her cleavage is also the main focus, yet she is shielding it slightly with her hand. The lighting is very soft. It really emphasizes her classic beauty. She looks perfect, there is not a flaw to be seen. The picture is in black and white. This is also very classic. Black and white also represents contrast. Marilyn is wearing a white, ruffle ballet dress. Ballet is a very beautiful, elegant, and graceful art. It brings innocence and beauty out in the picture. The background is black, with only a white ballet bar interrupting its flow. This, along with her pose, which is leaning forward giving a nice shot of her cleavage, is also very sexual. Marilyn is a timeless sexual icon. The black is very sensual and mysterious. It brings about curiosity to what was in the past. The dress is also sheer, which also is very sexy. It’s like lingerie; it covers yet gives a glimpse of her body. Marilyn’s expression seems deep in thought, like she’s contemplating something. She’s torn between two ideas that are pulling her in opposite directions. Yet, this image is very hopeful and youthful. She is not wearing shoes, something that little children like to do, she’s playing dress up. Overall, this image is timeless.

I absolutely love this picture. It’s very enduring. Knowing Marilyn’s past and details of her life, this picture gives a hint to what she has been through. It’s absolutely beautiful. She is one of my favorite actresses, that is why I chose this picture. Her pose protects while putting herself out there. It really shows the contemplation of choices. Yet, when I look at this picture, I feel optimistic and content. I think that it’s the simplistic splendor that makes it impossible for this image to be dark or negative. A classic favorite.

Posted by Stephanie Boekhoff at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This picture that I have chosen shows a little girl swimming nude in shallow water. The lighting of the picture makes it evident that the girl is outdoors and it appears to be late afternoon because of the way it shadows and illuminates the surroundings. The tones and colors used throughout this picture create a very sandy and warm feeling. The girl is positioned on an angle and is twisting to look towards the left corner of the scene. Because she is on her stomach facing away from the camera, her face is not seen but her blonde pigtails display her youth and innocence. Although we cannot see anyone else in the picture, it is assumed that someone is nearby watching over her because her body language shows ease and leisure rather than any sort of panic or stress.
I chose this picture because after seeing photo after photo of swimsuit models posed in similar situations, nearly or completely nude and laying in shallow water, it almost bothered me to see this. This image, which on a child should be seen as natural and innocent resembles the pictures of pinup models because of the way that the central focus of the picture is her bare bottom with the aid of lighting. Rather than appearing to be playful, the similarity in her pose to other pictures I’ve seen of older models seems sensual and too mature for her youth. The absence but assumed presence of a guardian creates a sense of independence as well on a girl who can’t be more than five years old. This is an extreme example because obviously this girl is very young, but it seems that so often that girl’s become sexualized in media and advertising at extremely young ages even if it’s subtle.

Posted by Lisa Peplinski at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Okay, I know that I might get booed for choosing a Christina Aguilera image, but I am going to put myself out there for ridicule and say it: I LOVE HER. I don't know that she is a brilliant social leader or future President, but she does have something worth listening to that many others are not willing to say.
I chose this image because, to me, it shows the difference between sexy and sleazy. The black and white is a personal favorite, but I also enjoy the wardrobe choice and the wide shot. I believe Michael Thompson was the photographer, but don't quote me on that. I like that the lighting seems to focus on her face more than her chest or body.
There are a lot of women that are very afraid of their sexuality and its powers, and it is a struggle I experience all the time. Don't be mistaken, nothing gets under my skin like a female that talks with her breasts and her backside more than her brain. But it is a fine line to walk and I feel that many of us are so concerned about our words and our opinions being discredited that we ignore our sexuality. It's like we have to scream something that only requires a whisper just to fight to be heard and taken seriously.

Posted by Megan Nordwald at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sorry I couldn't make it smaller!

I thought that this picture was at the least very funny! The Image is medium close. However, you cannot see her face-- at least I think that it is a woman, you cannot tell from this photo for sure since her/his head is cut off (except the presence of her cleavage). I thought it was interesting that the picture is of the body only. I think that today especially that is what everyone is actually looking at. It also reminded me of the jeans commercial where they show a girl wearing nothing but jeans and all you see is her naked back and side of her breast and the lable on the jeans! What are they really trying to sell??
It is a pretty dark picture and looks to have been taken inside and by a window because there is some sunlight hitting the models right side and a shadow casted on her left side. Also the picture seems to be only concerned with her body and the hooters tank top that she is wearing. Also as I mentioned before the head is cut off this individual. In addition the picture looks to have been taken in a home. You can see in the background a mantle and a fireplace. I thought that this was a weird setting. I made up a story that she was a housewife trying to get a day job to keep busy and had her friend take a picture to send into hooters! haha So that is all I have for this picture - hope everyone found it as funny as me!
By: Erica Koby

Posted by Erica Koby at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004TJOE.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

In the last two movies I watched starring Katharine Hepburn, she played a surprisingly strong female character. Surprising, because at the time these black and white flicks were filmed, women were more often shown in docile, stereotypical roles. So it’s with mixed feelings that I view this advertisement for "Woman of the Year."

Hepburn, chin in hand, cheeks flushed with blush, stares happily into the eyes of a suited man, who returns his gaze (although you can’t see his eyes). Hepburn’s eyes seem to twinkle playfully, as though she’s in control of the relationship with the man (who appears to be a love interest) or she knows something that he doesn’t. This attitude points toward Hepburn’s character possibly being the strong female character I expect to see.

But then there’s the film’s title, written in angled cursive below. Although it states "Woman of the Year," the focus of the poster is not on the woman shown. While my eyes are drawn to her more, being on the right side of the page, which is where are eyes ultimately rest when viewing images (usually), the angles in her posture and her gaze persuade you to look at the man she’s sitting with. This creates a power struggle that takes away from the title of "Woman of the Year," and also implies that to earn this moniker, a woman must still cater to, or be involved with, a man.

Posted by Kristen Mueller at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here we have an eye-level medium close up shot of a pregnant woman with a glass of unknown liquid. The the lighting and angle of the woman's body accentuates the curves of her body. Even the glass, being curvy on the bottom reflects the woman's pregnant body.

I chose this picture because while I was attempting to find a photo, I kept seeing pictures of women without their face being in the shot. Women's pregnant bodies were frequently portrayed without the woman's face being in the shot, which lead me to query the ownership of women's pregnant bodies. This photo I've chosen highlights the woman's pregnant body not her identity as gleaned from her face or other aspects of her body that reveal more who this woman is. Pregnant women are often portrayed only in terms of their pregnancy--a completly different, temporary, identity-- and not in the fixed aspects of their identity.

Posted by Chelsea Burris at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

This is a painting in my mother's living room. So I took a picture of it using my cell phone!! In the actual painting , the painter uses a mid shot, which is approximately from the waist up. In the background the artist uses dark colors such as deep browns. His characters, a black mother and her newborn child, are draped in white, so as to make them stand out and be very noticeable amongst the dark. The flowers next to her are white and purple signifying innocence and royalty. The mood is very calm, loving, and motherly. You can almost feel her passion of being a mother. I chose this image because naturally when one thinks of a black woman, they picture the half naked braud in some rap artist's music video, shaking her butt, and being addressed as a b**** or a h**. This portrait presents an image that is not often portrayed in the media. This painting portrays the black woman as a mother, a nurturer, a provider, a caregiver, and a protector. Her body fully covered in white, represents her femininity and purity. Her body, a sacred temple, her breast, the life sustainer for her newborn child, not something to be shown off to the rest of the world. Historically, the black woman has been associated with being a mother. This goes back to slavery when she was torn away from her own baby, in order to nurture and breast feed the slavemaster's baby. Over the centuries, the black woman's motherly associations and qualities has been lost.

Posted by Alexandria Grim at 09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.whatawaytodie.com/sleaterkinney/sk-10-16-02/sk-14-235.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.whatawaytodie.com/sleaterkinney/sk-10-16-02/sk-10-16-02.html&h=454&w=605&sz=47&hl=en&start=79&tbnid=SzHrGej-8t25CM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsleaterkinney%26start%3D60%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

This is a long, low angle of Sleater Kinney playing a show. It has deep focus, but the lighting and photo composition draw the viewer's attention to the band immediately. I actually don't like the composition of this photograph, as the drummer's head is obscured by a cymbal. However, I really support the subject matter. An extremely talented band playing a crowded show is a fun story for a photograph to begin with. Add to that the fact that all of the members of Sleater Kinney are female, and none of them are made up or emaciated in appearance, and this photograph tells a pretty significant story. These women are active, creating a stark contrast with the passive and generally supine women that are often featured in mainstream American media. To me, feminism is largely about women as a sex learning to value ourselves based on what we can do, not what we look like. This picture of Sleater Kinney reminds me of that, which is most of the reason I chose it. Also, they are a totally awesome band.

Posted by Angeline Andersen at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Baywatch was a show back in the 90s that every guy would often flip to while watching tv just for that slow motion run sequence that the show came to be infamous for. In this picture, we see Yasmine Bleeth not quite centered. By having the picture adjusted to the right side more than the left, we see some of the Miami skyline and also that the Yasmine is running on the waterline of the beach. By the angle of the sun hitting her body, it appears to be late in the afternoon. This lighting also provides a nice contrast on her body, with her left side casting shadows. Yasmine is the focal point of the entire scene, everything else behind her is out of focus and a blur. This picture would be quite bland if not for the bright red swimsuit and skin tone of the lifeguardHer facial expression shows effort and exhaustion, leading us to believe that this is a dramatic moment on the beach. With her Rescue Can in hand, Yasmine appears to be running to the rescue of some swimmer in trouble.

I chose this picture because I believe it represents the an age when the media first started portraying women as powerful figures on television. So what if the lifeguard happens to be dressed in a tight swimsuit that shows off every curve. Sex appeal is just one part of this lifeguard's many attributes. All of the women who stared on Baywatch were shown to be as courageous and strong as they were attractive. The Baywatch girls would save drowning victims stranded in rough waters, fight off sharks and win sandcastle building contests. High ratings were do in part to the shows writers catering to many a man's fantasy of nearly drowning and then being brought back to life by the lips of a female lifeguard.

This photo represents the stregnth and determination of women everywhere. The female characters of Baywatch could keep up (and even out do) their male counterparts. I think the biggest story trying to be told here is that Women are heroes too.

Posted by Stephen Kuzj at 01:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

This image shows what appears to be a young girl on the beach as waves crash in from the ocean. I like this image because of the way the girl is approaching the water. She seems curious about the feel of the water; especially how cold it is and how it rides up onto her feet. For me, I know the feeling of approaching such a large, never-ending mass of water and being overwhelmed by a feeling of possibility.
Basically, the image is probably what I'd consider a medium long shot. It characteristically places the girl at the right side of the frame, thus showing how massive the ocean is in contrast. The girl is tiny compared to what is embedded in the remainder of the photo. Since you don't get a facial shot of the girl, it is difficult to determine and draw conclusions based upon her expressions. You can guess that the girl is curious. She probably doesn't go onto the beach everyday so this could be a special moment for you. Being at the ocean forces people to dream and wonder about distinct possibilities they might not otherwise think about. I like to think that this girl is daydreaming in the photo. I think the thing that draws me in most of all is the fact that because the ocean is so massive, and she is so small, that you can determine how insignificant, yet precious this girl is. I think it can be important to think about that every once in a while.

Posted by Jacob Deibele at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This picture shocked me because these women are supposed to represent beauty, but they look like they are near death. The first two women in the line especially seem emaciated. The framing of this photograph seems to be mid shot, the women's bodies are visible from their heads to their knees. This shot emphasizes the women's small waists and thighs more than another frame could. Although there is no obvious focal point to the picure; the women share almost equal space in the photograph, the woman in the red swimsuit stands out the most. This is because of her placement in the front of the line and because the bright red of her suit stands out against the light colors of the other women's suits. This woman is also the thinnest and most sickly looking of the four.

I think the photographer of this picture may have the same opinion of beauty pageants and "anorexia as beauty" as I do. The way the framing emphasizes the extremely thin figures of these women suggests that it is not attractive, but rather something that should worry intelligent women. There is something wrong with the image of beauty if these women are what is considered attractive; these women seem near death. Beauty pageants are ridiculous because of this extreme emphasis on being too thin and because of the attitude they perpetuate against women; that the most important aspect of women is their appearance.

Posted by Annette Bonner at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)