Evaluation Question Two

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The postures of both women are similar in the sense that they are both facing the camera. They share similar facial expressions too. They are wearing similar make-up and are both aiming for a beauty shot. Elle has less elaborate eyeliner than Amy and has opted for a hairstyle with loose waves where Amy has gone with her trademark ‘bee-hive’ hairstyle and a bow. Where NME chose to shoot Amy Winehouse’s body from the side I chose to shoot Elle Garcia more face-forward to make it different. I liked the costume that Elle was wearing and wanted to show it off in the image. Both women are wearing casual clothing. Elle has gone for a floral top and cardigan whereas Amy is wearing a t-shirt with a transfer on in the same style as her tattoo. Elle’s main accessory is an oversized ring worn on her right hand but Amy’s is her tattoo. This could be interpreted as Amy living up to her ‘wild girl’ image and Elle being a little less wild and more approachable. This could show their different beliefs and values – Amy values tattoos highly as an individual way of expressing herself but Elle values her accessories just as highly. By being able to change her jewellery and accessories she is able to provide her audience with a visual symbol of her mood. The background in both images is plain with the big difference being that Amy Winehouse is photographed in front of a black screen whereas Elle is photographed in front of a white wall. This could be another indication as to the difference in personality: Amy’s image comes across as pretty and wild while Elle’s comes across as more innocent. Overall I think that both of these images represent a normal young social group because they wear casual, everyday clothing that everyone can adopt to suit their own style. By dressing in the same way as the majority of young people it may be an indication of them being approachable as if they didn’t appear easy-going and friendly their music wouldn’t sell.