ford shelby cobra ad

1 Layout Identifying structural components of visual texts: component parts the red ford shelby cobra, a woman in a bikini, the desert, and text at the bottom tone/lighting natural light, sunset almost, lit from the back of the car, warm reddish light. sky is bright, the car has a lot of shadows around the bottom and front of the car colour red for the car, orangey and reddish because of the sun, and the dirt around it. perspective the object is in the center, but the camera angle is very low almost ground level. the car is big and imposing balance very clear horizon and the car is in the center, angled though border the image is bordered, the text is outside of the image. very clear lines. the sky is very bright and separates it from the car. texture the ground looks rough, but the car is smooth and sleek with shadows. the woman almost looks a bit rough too, her hair covers her face contrast or harmony no before or after shots, just the car. maybe the red of the car vs the shadows on it? rhythm no repetition or patterns just one car and one woman symbols or writing “Buy it...or watch it go by/King of the Road!” - instils fear in the viewers that the car is gonna go away if they wait too long, that they need to get it, makes urgency. King - power and freedom to do as you please, respected on the road, taken seriously, desired and admired.

2  The subject Identifying characteristics for people or animals in an image: pose the woman in the image, she is standing almost leaning on the car. she isn't standing straight she is angled toward the camera but she seems guarded and unsure almost. hand or arm gestures one hand is hanging by her side loosely, the other one is probably on the car facial expression viewer cannot see her face, it is hidden since her head is facing downwards identity don't know much about her besides the fact that she is a woman and she is standing next to a car. she is used as a prop. very passive and decorative portrayal. costume she is wearing a bikini, no shoes props just the car. surroundings she is the back behind the car. almost following it. she is supposed to be an afterthought, like an added bonus for the car. the car isn't connected to getting women, it's just that women are an extra

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Analysing an advertisement (cont.)

3  Interaction with viewer Positioning devices used: focus and framing it's a medium shot, we can see the whole car, we are looking up at the car makes the car seem big orientation the car is side on from the viewer we can see the whole car, looks big and long. vectors there are some leading lines, the car is angled so it seems like it leads to the woman who is in the back. eye contact no eye contact at all cars don't have eyes

4  The function of the image The image represents a point of view. Consider factors like: purpose and context this image is produced to sell to presumably men who know what the car is. the composer’s style this image is serious, not much humor or anything like that it's just aesthetics. the wide open sky links to freedom of mobility and the ability to be reckless and unchained issues this does comment on wealth and influence. it appeals to their need to affiliate and uses the trend king of the road, makes the viewer think that the car is very high class and powerful ford wants the audience to buy the car because the car symbolizes wealth and power just like a king. the woman is small because she does not matter it is the idea that you can have a woman if you get the car, and she will follow you and sit in the back wearing a bikini and won't cause you any trouble omissions there is no men or children or anyone else besides the woman, not even the actual name of the car or the model or a company logo. it is assumed that the audience already  knows all of this information.   lack of men means that the man is supposed to be seeing the car and imagining themselves in it without the help of actors. maybe means it's relatable? or they are tapping into a common desire.

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