Amazing Old Smoking Ads

(Notice where his cigarette is pointing.)

Maxim Vs. Cosmo

Take a careful look at these two images (you may need to download them to see it). The first is from Cosmo, the second from Maxim. There is one incredibly subtle and important difference: the latter shows a nipple and the former does not. I'll let you guess which one is in Playboy. This is a great example of how carefully advertisers are planning their images according to their audiences.

A Rare Photoshopping Leak

Faith Hill, after and before. There's quite a lot going on if you look closely.

See also, in case you haven't yet, the Dove evolution video here.

Welcome to Sociological Images!

WHY: What with the kids these days being all media-saturated, a good image is often more effective for getting a point across than all the citations, repetition, or jumping up and down and saying "really I swear" can ever do. This blog is a space for us to share those really fantastic images.

OUR AUDIENCE: We assume that you, our audience, are sociologically-inclined folks. So we do not typically include a lengthy sociological interpretation of the images.

DIALOGUE: We are aware that images are polysemic and that people will use them in many different ways, so our commentary, when offered, is never meant to control how people use the images (as if we could anyway). We welcome comments that offer additional or alternative interpretations of images, in fact we'd love them, but let's not get into any fights about what an image does or doesn't mean.

POTENTIAL MEMBERS: If you would like to be a member blogger, email lwade@oxy.edu or sharp.gwen@gmail.com. As a member blogger, you can put up images yourself anytime you are inspired.

LURKERS: If you see an image you'd like to see posted, we'd be happy to oblige. Email lwade@oxy.edu or sharp.gwen@gmail.com.

LEGALITY: While all law is a matter of interpretation, we believe Sociological Images to be legal under the Fair Use doctrine. That is, we use the images for a non-commercial educational purpose and that makes it all good.