Advertising gender roles - Practical

My final two photographs take the point of view of abolishing male stereotypes, with images of a male model wearing bright, glowing makeup, with confident expressions. The message behind this being that males who look strong can still have a persona where they express themselves through wearing makeup, and makeup/skincare not purely being a feminine attribute. I have taken my research into account influenced by makeup brand Anastasia Beverly Hills and advertising their highlighting & lip products. 

Editing on Photoshop -

This practical has allowed me to develop and learn new things about Photoshop using self experimentation and fellow pairs. The photographs before using the software are shown below, along with a list of tools:

- Patch selection tool, blemishes and removing facial hair 

- Camera Raw Filter, overall exposure, shadows and highlights/clarity for the image. Making the highlight stand out & glow.

- Text 

- Rectangle tool

- Eyedropper tool, matching text colours and PNG's to the colour of the models lip and skin colour.

-  Clone Stamp tool, paints with pixels from a separate part of the image, used in white to clean up removal of facial hair. 

- Special effects brush tool

- Click on layer, then Ctrl + T for resizing and moving 

Text - 

"Glowing in Confidence"

Language in this text symbolises the highlighting part of the advertisement, promoting a product called "glow kit." Using makeup props and appropriate lighting, the models cheekbones look highlighted and glittery, hence "glowing." When reading, "confidence" is so audiences feel they should be confident and comfortable regardless on whats on their skin, regardless of gender.

Work, strive, & achieve, with an effortless touch"

As males are seen as dominant / strong, I had decided to include words typically associated with the traditionally bread winning gender, then to relate and promote the makeup as flawless and appropriate even for those in hands on work. Wearing said products may not prove someone physically strong, but may make individuals feel emotionally and mentally strong. Also the mix of worlds, men can be "work/ achieve" and care for their appearance, adding makeup onto that as a gender equal attribute. 

Other Photographs also taken in the Photography Studio -