McCloud/Berger

Before the Reading

When looking up images of male and female celebrities, more often than not the females are posed in ways that suggest a more confident and promiscuous way. On the other hand, a male celebrity instead have photos that focus more on their striking facial features or more so on their body. Though there are differences between the pictures between the two, there still is an appeal that is sought to be achieved in both. It is easy to see that when the pictures are taken, the opposite sex is considered and what exactly they will want to be looking at in the photo.

QD Questions

2. A lot of the time, I see women posed in ways that are very promiscuous and suggestive. It is hard to find women that are celebrities, not being exploited and used for their beauty or for their bodies. When it comes to using "nudes" of women, especially in art, it is hard to not see the beauty in the body. With art, one is trying to capture the way life has created an image and instead of trying to exploit that image, someone is trying to capture it in a way to enhance and portray how the view that beauty.

3. I feel that they still remain the same. When a man is pictured, usually it shows how muscular or handsome he is, showing more of a dominant quality. A woman is expected to look confident and have a mysterious look to her, which most of the time, especially when it comes to fashion, is the case. Both men and women, in photos, have expectations that they have to live up to so that the public can obtain exactly what they are looking for when viewing the photo.

AE

3. Of course how the woman is positioned in a photo determines what the photo means. When a woman is the main focal point, it is very apparent by the other props. Sometimes, a woman could just be a prop in a photograph, taking more part in the background than being the focal point. Today, I see examples of both in everyday life. From magazines to billboards, with any type of advertising people are going to be used to try and sell a product. Depending on the model and what is being sold, the model is going to be positioned in the picture to ensure the best results from the advertisement.

MM

When it comes to visual art, a lot of time is put into taking into consideration how other people will view the art. The same can be said when it comes to writing. There is an audience that needs to be satisfied and hopefully interested in what they are reading. When it comes to art, it is easy to captivate an audience with the skill one can show through their pieces. In writing, a different skill has to be used, and it is not just understanding grammar. There has to be a creativeness to writing as well, for a well written piece does not mean that it is an interesting piece.

Before Reading Activities (McCloud)

As a little kid, my favorite cartoon to watch was The Rugrats. Being so little myself, I was able to relate easily to the babies on the screen. The connecting features at the time were definitely the age at which The Rugrats were and the simplicity in the designing and story line of the show.

QD Questions

2. By using the comics and images, McCloud is able to convey his idea to his audience in more ways than can be done by just using words. With the cartoons and the simple features found on them, it is up to the reader to perceive the image how they see fit. Most likely, the reader is going to place themselves in the same situation and find themselves in the cartoons/comics. Also, by using images, it is a way to show exactly what the words mean by using relatable examples.

Synthesis
McCloud is easily linked to other authors that have been discussed so far. McCloud talks about how the author's identity in his or her writing can almost act as a mask, which is

AE

1. I think that once an image is used as a teaching tool, it will become easier to remember the information, especially when the viewer is more of a visual learner. By using cartoons and graphs and such, an image is then easily related back to the word or words and made easier to learn. Images are not only good for learning the information but also for remembering the information as well.

4. I understand the mask concept. There are times where one uses a mask to hide emotion and to conceal truly how they feel. Also, in a more anatomical way, a mask can be looked at more as something that is controlled by the brain and the emotions. The mask works only when it is told to work, it has no mind of it's own. Which is the same for a mask that one would pick up in a store.