Ways of Seeing

I really enjoyed reading Ways of Seeing by John Berger. It takes you through the years of paintings, pictures, and images. Not only is it interesting to read, it is filled with beautiful pictures. The pictures correspond to what that page is about. Berger discusses such issues as seeing comes before words, the difference between the way men and women are portrayed in pictures, and the way advertisements make you feel.
Seeing comes before words. Every child can look before before he can talk. But there is also another meaning to Seeing comes before words. Everywhere we go we are surrounded by things to see. It is seeing that establishes where we are and whats around us. Before we can describe what we are surrounded by, we have to be able to see it. We have to see things before can know about them.
Men and women are both portrayed differently in images. Men are portrayed as dependent and powerful. He is seen as he is there to do something for you. While women are portrayed as beautiful and vein. She is there for you to do something to her. Women are often looked at as sexual objects that guys can own.
Advertisements tend to make you feel like without this you aren't complete. They use different techniques and images to get you to think that you need their product. Their message is always in the future and it gives the impression that you'll be happy and envied if you have this product. Advertisers use such images in their ads as models and mythological figures, the romantic use of nature, sexual emphasis given to women, materials to indicate luxury, and the equation of drinking and success.
This is a very valuable book and I recommend that you read it.