Source: http://www.cracked.com/article_20122_6-ill-advised-marketing-campaigns-that-backfired-hilariously.html

This printed advertisement is released by Nivea for a new skin care line for men. From the ad, we can see that there is a black model in a car park. He is in the center part of the ad and occupies nearly half of the printed ad. The model seems not to be aware about the camera and he is looking far with his hand holding a mask which has a scruffy look. The model looks very charming as he is well dressed and groomed.

To me, the ad seems to look great and does express its intention: Use Nivea’s product and you will look great and fresh like the model. But the bold, white and capitalized words, “RE-CIVILIZE YOURSELF”, make the ad controversial. The slogan actually caught my attention when I first saw it. The slogan itself is not controversial; however, placing it with the black model makes me to associate with racism. The implied meaning I got from the ad is insinuating the black people are uncivilized and needs to be re-civilized. From a very long time ago, the black people have been always being discriminated and labeled as underprivileged. People think that the black people are not well educated and not cultivated. The ad may not have the intention to insult or discriminate the black people; yet, using the slogan and the black model together makes the ad controversial.  

Moreover, the other set of bold, white and capitalized words said, “LOOK LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN”, which is on the corner of the right hand side also makes the ad controversial. Look like you give a damn means that look like you really care about it and the whole sentence sounds a bit negative to me. Associating it with the slogan and the black model, the ad would make the black people angry as it seems to look down on them by teasing them and saying that you look like you care about being black.

The ad could be a successful one but the slogans ruined it and made it controversial. If the ad had changed the slogans or the model, it would not have being such controversial and accused of discrimination. 

I believe that smile is  the most common and ancient way to communicate with others regardless of races, cultures, ages or region and it is the most favorite facial expression I love. 

Source: http://leadingpersonality.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/how-to-identify-a-fake-smile/

Source: 
(L): http://andreasbordes.blogspot.hk/2012/08/bahagia-itu-kita-yang-buat-bukan-mereka.html(R): http://www.wowowall.com/wallpaper/the-smile-of-a-happy-little-girl.html

Source:
(L): http://www.relevantchildrensministry.com/2013/08/do-you-make-this-mistake-with-first.html
(R):http://www.webmd.com/beauty/beautiful-smile-12/smile-personality

Source:
(L):http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/08/obama-navigators-are-told-to-smile-as-they-sign-you-up-for-socialized-obamacare/
(R): http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/AuFpY-HAsQC/Merkel+Meets+Albanian+Prime+Minister+Berisha/6_7sqEuDYie/Angela+Merkel

Source: http://lakeoconeedentalblog.com/2010/10/65-year-old-smiles-require-special-care/

How long haven't  you had a big smile on your face?
The world changes when you smile.
Let's share our joy together with others.

Source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/13/130621-stonehenge-summer-solstice-archaeology-science/

We can see that the picture is taken outdoors, in the Stonehenge, and in a chilled morning as people are all wearing hats, scarfs and winter coats. The Stonehenge is crowded with various people who are in different age and races, both male and female, locals and travelers with heavy backpacks. 

When I first saw this photo, I found that the couple that is right in the center of the photo catches my attention. The photo captures the front view of the man who seems to be not aware of the camera and the crowds are a bit blurred. Placing the couple in the focal point of the picture and they are clearly in focus give the effect of that the couple is the one and only one the photographer is aiming at and would like the audience to pay attention to.

When we have a closer look at the man, we can notice that the light is soft and shining on his face from the front. The soft light and the direction of it give a glow on his face. Moreover, from his facial expressions and body gestures, eyes are closed and a gentle smile is put on his face; a big hug with his wife which no spaces are left between them, placing his chin close to her head and his fingers are not arched show us that the man is in a very relaxed and delighted mood and enjoying the moment with his wife.

“Love is enjoyment” is the caption I would like to give to this photo as the caption is actually created base on what I have analyzed about the man. While I am looking at the picture, I feel like I am connected with the man and the feelings of him through the camera- the feeling of love and enjoyment..
________________________________________________________________________

(Picture 1) Source for both picture 1& 2: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photos/vintage-photo-gallery/?source=podrelated#/artists-painting-dordogne_26458_600x450.jpg

 When we look at Picture 1, do you have any special emotions triggered? Personally, Picture 1 gives me a creepy feeling. What I see is a man is doing his painting in front of an old house. Maybe he is painting the house or the lady in front of him. And the photo gives me a scary feeling as the light is dim and the background is compacted with old and worn out buildings.

(Picture 2)


However, the second picture totally shifts my focus from the horrible buildings and the man to the lady behind him and this changes the whole feeling of the picture. The lady behind him is sitting elegantly and looks like well-dressed as she wears a wide-brimmed straw hat and a long necklace. The picture now gives a warm and caring feeling. From the way she is looking at the man, I can read from the picture that there is love in her eyes; she looks like she is appreciating the man’s work.

Also, maybe the lighting and the scale of the photo changed contribute to the way I feel. Picture 2 looks a little bit brighter than the previous one and the portion of the spooky buildings decreases while the great view of the river and the lady take up more space in the photo. This changes the focus of the photo from the creepy to the beautiful. Hence, the feeling towards the photo changed from scary to warm and calm.

Picture 1 is extracted from picture 2 but they present two extreme feelings: creepy VS warm. Photos can speak. But what they tell us depends on the feeling and the composition of it.

Source :http://thecomicnews.com/edtoons/archive/2006/0215/china/02.shtml#maintop

This political cartoon was drawn by Brian Gable and it is trying to depict that the Chinese Government has interfered with the freedom of access to information and made Google set up self-censorship.

 
“…some compromises were made.” Tells us that Google made some sacrifices, maybe setting up self-censorship is one of the compromises. The Chinese government censors everything on the internet and is the only one who has the power to decide whether to allow any information to circulate. If Google want to enter the market, it has to follow the rule.
 

On the right of the carton, there is a soldier who is wearing a military uniform and carrying a gun on his back and the star on his uniform gives us a hint that he represents the Chinese Government. The soldier is looking through the monitor and holding “Google: So what would you like to know?” with his hand. This in fact shows that the government is actually the one and the only one who gives information to the public. The government has the control of what kind of information is available for access.

 
On the other hand, two kids are seating in front of the computer. The boy on the left says “… some compromises were made” But the girl on his right does not give any response. This can be indicated as the new Chinese generations have already got used to the situation. And they are being monitor by the soldier as the screen is transparent and he is looking at them directly. This seems to be implying that they are under the control of the soldier (The Government). The Chinese people are all monitored by the Government. Be careful of what you type!

The cartoon makes me reflect and treasure the freedom I have; the freedom of access to various websites, which is a fundamental right but can be a precious thing for others.