Final Thoughts....

With reservations of taking this course in the beginning, I am really happy that I did not drop out of it after the first class. Although the course load proved to be copious, it was necessary in order to fully master the concept of visual rhetoric. Since the first class up until today, I have drastically seen a difference in the way I look at images. Whether it is an advertisement, a political cartoon, or even a random doodle drawing on the desk I'm sitting at, I have realized that everything has a visual argument pertaining to the image I look at. The blog I have created for the purpose of this class has provided me with a candid outlet for me to voice my opinions and observations based on the thousands of images I come across everyday. The five distinctly different types of images I have blogged about really make you, my fellow readers, aware of how vast the range of images are when it comes to analyzing a visual argument. You may have noticed that I tend to look at images pertaining to fashion, as it is an object of study that truly interests me.

Before I took this class I would have never thought of deconstructing an image as I have learned to do within the past couple months of this class. Now, I can not stop but look at images that intrigue me and begin to wonder the visual argument that is trying to be made. I think this course has been successful as it has given me a new perspective on looking at images and most importantly has given me the tools necessary in maintaining a balanced and unbiased opinion based on images that may pose to controversial.

Source

An image that we discussed about in class about social representations is this daunting photo of Kate Moss and cocaine. I chose this image because this is the photo that depicts how one picture can ruin the career of someone in a heartbeat. For Kate Moss, this tabloid cover cost her working for many designer, photographers, and ultimately lost her lucrative contracts with major fashion houses as no one wants to hire someone who is visually seen snorting lines of cocaine. This photo really intrigued me and I chose it as my last photo of discussion on my blog because it shows how fast someone's career can change. How one slip up, especially when in the public eye, can cost you your life. Kate Moss has definitely been able to make a name for herself again, but this image will haunt her for the rest of her life.

My experiences while blogging have been somewhat a journey of discovery. Each time I blog about a certain image I stumble upon a different outlook when looking at a photo. For those of you who do read my blog, I hope it has inspired you to do the same. This won't be the last you hear of me....