You should now be able to read adverts to understand exactly how they appeal to audiences and persuade them to become a consumer.
To do this you will have analysed the language used, the people used and the ideologies of the advert...
...you will also have analysed the images.
This page will help you to analyse the images used in print based texts (including advertising, magazines, newspapers and websites) more effectively and equip you with the tools and language needed to write about these things.
Each of these adverts uses striking images and interesting photographic composition techniques to attract attention and reinforce the message of the advert as well as emphasise the techniques
used by the adverts.
Lets have a look at a few of them...
Tango
The first thing that is striking about the image is the use of colours. They are bright, vivid and vibrant, which in turn has connotations of energetic, spritely and dynamic.
The advert clearly uses both humour - through the surreal image of the painted head and a slogan painted on the back of the head which has become very well known.
The photographic composition emphasises Foreground/Background - with the foreground emphasising the humourous element of the painted head, the caption and the brand identity of the drink's can.
The background, whilst blurred, can be quite clearly identified as baskets of fruit and vegetables, which adds to the vibrancy of the advert, but also engages the audience with one of the appeals of the advert and that the audiences respond to things that are natural.
The last point to be made about the composition of the photo is that the Lines and Shapes used with the foregrounded image makes the image look dynamic and visually interesting - creating a symmetrical shape.
Absolut Marilyn
Another ad which is composed using a certain symmetry look is the Absolut vodka advert. This time we can apply the Rule of Thirds. The bottle falls directly in the middle third with the brand name sitting just on the line of the top third.
Of course the main technique used in this advert is Intertextuality. This is achieved through the image of the skirt blowing up and the bottle sitting on a grid. The reference is of course to the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe from the classic Hollywood movie, The Seven Year Itch and this intertextual reference is anchored by the copy at the bottom of the page: "Absolut Marilyn."
Marilyn Monroe is no ordinary actress. Using her representation comes with a whole host of connotations - she is iconic, a true movie star and a uniquely classic movie star. Obviously all of these associations benefit the Absolut brand and this iconic status is further emphasised by the use of lighting in the image. The spotlight which often connotes fame and stars of the stage and screen reinforces the message that the Absolut brand is classic and has its place in history.
The second slide of the powerpoint all features ads which are, again, visually striking - however this time it's the Framing or Camera Angle which makes them more effective.
Whether it's showing the minute detail of the lips and nails via an extreme close-up or a high angle shot that exaggerates the steepness of a cobbled road making the struggle of a young boy pushing his bike seem even more arduous.
Framing an image is essential in creating meaning - the camera is one of the main creative tools available to the encoders of media texts they can use to engage with an audience.
So what different shots are available to a photographer or film maker...
Lets have a look at a few of them...
Tango
The first thing that is striking about the image is the use of colours. They are bright, vivid and vibrant, which in turn has connotations of energetic, spritely and dynamic.
The advert clearly uses both humour - through the surreal image of the painted head and a slogan painted on the back of the head which has become very well known.
The photographic composition emphasises Foreground/Background - with the foreground emphasising the humourous element of the painted head, the caption and the brand identity of the drink's can.
The background, whilst blurred, can be quite clearly identified as baskets of fruit and vegetables, which adds to the vibrancy of the advert, but also engages the audience with one of the appeals of the advert and that the audiences respond to things that are natural.
The last point to be made about the composition of the photo is that the Lines and Shapes used with the foregrounded image makes the image look dynamic and visually interesting - creating a symmetrical shape.
Absolut Marilyn
Another ad which is composed using a certain symmetry look is the Absolut vodka advert. This time we can apply the Rule of Thirds. The bottle falls directly in the middle third with the brand name sitting just on the line of the top third.
Of course the main technique used in this advert is Intertextuality. This is achieved through the image of the skirt blowing up and the bottle sitting on a grid. The reference is of course to the iconic image of Marilyn Monroe from the classic Hollywood movie, The Seven Year Itch and this intertextual reference is anchored by the copy at the bottom of the page: "Absolut Marilyn."
Marilyn Monroe is no ordinary actress. Using her representation comes with a whole host of connotations - she is iconic, a true movie star and a uniquely classic movie star. Obviously all of these associations benefit the Absolut brand and this iconic status is further emphasised by the use of lighting in the image. The spotlight which often connotes fame and stars of the stage and screen reinforces the message that the Absolut brand is classic and has its place in history.
The second slide of the powerpoint all features ads which are, again, visually striking - however this time it's the Framing or Camera Angle which makes them more effective.
Whether it's showing the minute detail of the lips and nails via an extreme close-up or a high angle shot that exaggerates the steepness of a cobbled road making the struggle of a young boy pushing his bike seem even more arduous.
Framing an image is essential in creating meaning - the camera is one of the main creative tools available to the encoders of media texts they can use to engage with an audience.
So what different shots are available to a photographer or film maker...
Whilst there are no hard and fast rules as to why a specific shot type might be used - there are some shots that are often used for fairly generic reasons.
Here are just a few...
Long Shots
Close-Ups
High angle & Low angle shots
