Monday, 23 September 2013

50 cent advert analysis




In this image analysis I am going to analyse this advertisement used by Reebok to promote their brand.

Immediately after looking at this image we are able to identify various different things about the advert. The denotations we as the audience are automatically shown is a picture of 50 cent, a quotation from him, the text "i am what i am" and finally the Reebok logo on the bottom left of the image.

The main colour used in this advert are monochrome with different shades of black and white. The use of monochrome may represent the dark and troubled past 50 cent came from and the white represents how he has broken away from that life, and is now a better changed man. The fact that 50 cents pose is also looking away from the darkness and towards the light again emphasises this connotation of him looking away from his past and toward a light to a prosperous future. His use of direct address by looking straight at the audience also gives an intimate feeling, as if we can relate to him and that the audience themselves can also become as successful as him even if you have a criminal record or bad reputation.

The composition of the advert is arranged with 50 cent on the left of the image, with a quote from him on the right on top of a background of fingerprints and finally in large text "i am what i am". Having 50 cent on the left of the picture, which has a size taking up exactly half of the advert draws the audiences attention to the right of the picture, as well as to the obviously eye catching celebrity. The right side of the advert brings our attention to the quote "Where I am from, there is no plan B. So take advantage of today because tomorrow is not promised" and the background of fingerprints. This quote from 50 cent represents how we should work hard and make use of everyday in order to achieve what we want to like he did, and not settle for "plan B".

The use of fingerprints in the background here is to represent how we all have our distinct identity that no one can take from us that makes us who we are and links to the main quote in a much bigger font "i am what i am" as this also emphasises the fact that we should embrace our individuality like 50 cent and never change. It is also a reference to 50 cent's criminal past as a fingerprint is a connotation of a criminal record and shows how even a criminal can become successful. The font is effective for this message as it is an almost medieval tone to it which shows that no matter how old you are you should always be what you are and the font represents how 50 cent has been himself for so long and is clearly proud of it as he states "i am what i am". The clear misuse of punctuation by not using the word "I" with a capital letter also adds to this idea of being proud of who you are, even if you don't have perfect grammar or aren't very clever you can still achieve great things, like 50 cent did.

The type of shot used is a medium close up on 50 cent. This type of shot effectively allows the audience to see 50 cent's emotions and facial features without taking emphasis away from the right side of the advert. In the shot 50 cent looks very serious and is also giving a quite passionate look. This highlights how serious this message of big success from small beginnings is and it isn't just a fairytale, and the fact he is looking passionately at the audience connotes how we can achieve it too.

The obvious subject matter of this advert is to advertise and sell Reebok products. However the way in which it does this is to use the subject of success, something everyone wants to achieve, and implementing it into the advert which therefore connotes that wearing Reebok products will bring us success, no matter where we are from. The advert also addresses the subject matter of identity and individuality, and that with Reebok products you become an individual and stand out amongst the rest.








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