Representation through Images

This image is representing social class. The clothing worn is very typical for the stereotypes of working class people; the puffy coats, tracksuit bottoms and hats. The slumped postures and stern, cold facial expressions portray them to be a common, hard fronted family, maybe dysfunctional as nothing matches and possibly struggling through life, which is an idea generally associated with working class people. The characters themselves consist of different skin and hair colour, showing they are not an ideal (mum, dad and children) family and that she could have been a promiscuous woman due to the difference in her children, which is then reinforced by the absence of a male figure, showing inconsistency in their lives. Furthermore, they are stood very closely together, forming the look of a ‘pack’, to portray they are a united family. The image is a long shot, which is effective because it shows a bigger picture of the characters in their normal setting. The location is that of a street and the lighting is made to appear natural, which makes the background quite colourless and bland so the characters stand out. The fact that they are pictured on a street conveys that they are attached with their local area, the type of people who are always around and well known, possibly for the wrong reasons. Again this is another stereotype of working class families. Also, the inclusion of bins in the background connotes their area and lifestyle to be quite rough.

This photo is used to represent disability. A mid-shot has being used so characters expressions and relationship can be seen closely, whilst also including their costume and props etc. The image is tightly framed, so the dependence and emotion in this photo is emphasised. Jean takes up more of the photo than Stacey, so her dependence dominates the photo. The lighting takes on a more natural appearance, in order for the shot to look more realistic. The setting isn’t very obvious in the image, because of its tight frame but we can tell it is inside, and most probably in a house. Jeans body posture makes her appear to be scared and vulnerable, and the position she has taken of wrapping her arms around her knees is a common position related to insanity and grief. Her facial expression adds to this, as her face looks to be tired, whilst she is staring at most probably nothing, another feature related to insanity and depression. The blanket wrapped around her could be a symbol to represent that she needs looking after, as the blanket is being used to keep her warm and comfortable, whilst also suggests that she is more than likely at home. Her appearance of insanity, through her facial expression and body position makes her character seem to be closed off. Stacey’s posture makes her look like she is eager to care for her mum, by the way she is leaning slightly towards her. As well, she has a concerned look about her face which suggests she wants to help her mum and maybe that she knows she is incapable of looking after herself.

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This image is used to represent ethnicity. This is evident through the clothing the characters wear, as the females are wearing Asian orientated clothing. One of them wears a head scarf, whilst the other is wearing a Hijab. This portrays them as a strongly religious and cultural family. Again, we can see a reinforcement of this as they are sat very closely together and the family includes both a male and female parent figure which is something ideal in their particular culture. Also, the father is higher up, which reflects his status in the family, again this links to culture.