Journal Eight

I found this picture in the magazine Photography (September 2008) and Digital Photo, and I could not get the issue because there was a sticker over the date. This Olympus Camera ad takes up two full pages and the denotation is of a very clear picture of a butterfly. We all know how small butterflies are, but this picture magnifies the butterfly into great detail and the focus is centered on it. This initially would attract anyone because of the detail and the bright colors, but it would be focused on more by the target audience: the photographers. Though the butterfly could be a signifier for the myth of beauty and an icon, the photo is also a signifier of great photography. This could follow the myth of beauty, because everyone wants his or her pictures to come out as wonderful and picturesque as possible. This ad almost gives the audience the impression that if they have this camera, their pictures can come out beautiful each time with the great detail and beautiful colors of the butterfly. Along the bottom and right side of the ad are more pictures and information about the camera that took the stunning photo. This appeals to the target audience of photographers because they are very low key with white lettering and smaller photos so they do not take away from the big picture, but add to the message. It is there to aid people who want to know more about this camera, but it does not get in the way of the image. It also has a photographer’s point-of-view about the camera that has only good remarks about this do-all camera. The image can appeal to anyone and grabs the audience’s attention because it has an icon that people see often, but from a different view. You can look at the legs, eyes, and powdery wings right in your hands. Overall, this advertisement was very successful in attaining the audience that it was targeting by having an appealing photograph and supporting details to help aid a person in deciding whether or not to purchase the Olympus camera.