This awareness ad emphasizes that smoking is not as
glamorous as society claims. This photo is very effective in displaying the
negative effects of smoking cigarettes. The woman in front of the mirror looks
elegant and healthy, but her reflection appears to be fatigued and deteriorating.
The reflection’s gaping stoma generates a sense of unease or sympathy in the
viewer; and reminds him/her of the dangers of smoking cigarettes. The sharp
contrast between the two individuals implies that smoking is advertised as a
charming or agreeable habit, but in reality it causes decay and disease. Unlike
the reflection’s dim and macabre surroundings, the woman’s chamber is bright
and tastefully decorated. As a result, the brighter setting initially focuses
the viewer’s attention on the woman, and subsequently her reflection. This
difference in brightness also alludes to the unawareness of the glamorization
of smoking—the sickly woman is constantly neglected and in the shadow of her
counterpart’s limelight. There are two plants in the woman’s dressing room;
however, there are no signs of life captured in her reflection. This indicates
that smoking destroys one’s vitality and well-being. With these methods in
mind, this photograph is effective in relaying the truth behind the romanticizing
of smoking to the audience.
Sagal- First of all, I love the image you chose, it is very interesting, and you do a great job of analyzing it. I really like how you went into the details of the photo. You noted how all the elements of the picture connect and work together, such as how the lighting draws the eyes to the the reflection, which in turn unmasks the false "Hollywood glamor" connection to smoking. Well done!
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I also loved this image -- it's a common theme throughout literature, etc. that a mirror reflection represents some doppelganger or the like. What's so scary, and therefore so effective, about this ad is that the reflection of the woman is a mutated version of the self, some threat that is not external but internal and thus unavoidable -- unless the smoking is stopped. Great job! - Ella Hartsoe
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