Paul Reas Presentation

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These were my initial thoughts and observations of the photograph then I did a bit of research and found out the man is the boy’s father and he is buying a wallpaper for his son’s bedroom, as he shows it off to his friends behind the photographer, Reas. This showing off a new purchase or good is nothing different to this day everyone loves showing off their newest purchase, it’s just a side effect to our consumer nature.

Years later a local newspaper decides to track down the little boy in the photograph and it is discovered that he ended up joining the army at age 16. We now question that could seeing the wallpaper and images of the military life influence this decision? Especially since we can see the wallpaper paints a very clean and proud image of being a soldier, with the colours and stance of the soldiers. This relates back to the idea of consumerism now sells a lifestyle not just a product. The wallpaper although probably not a huge financial investment did have a very big impact on the little boy’s life.

I mentioned before Reas’ photography influences as they have a strong relation to colour which is interesting to this photograph as well. The idea of taking a colour photograph instead of black and white highlights the theme of consumerism and advertisement. The psychology of selling and colour is very strategic. For example, Reds and oranges used in the aisles and promotional boards within the stores excites the consumers and attracts them, and then cool ad relaxing colours with pastels and blues are used at the check out to create a calming shopping experience. We can see the reds in this photograph create a “buy me” experience.

I particularly like this photograph, the innocent look on the little boys face and the proud father paints a loving family and then the fact the boy joined the army is a really powerful reflection of what seems to be a normal product and purchase could determine the pathway of the little boy’s life.