January 31, 2011

As I was reading chapters 8 and 11 and reviewing the elements of design and what makes a good visual image the conversation about the advertisements placed in the magazine next to the twin tower photos came to mind. I remember looking at the images of the ads next to the photos that will stick in one’s mind forever and thinking how inappropriate.  But as I was reading this chapter and thinking about the message that the advertisers were sending I came to the realization that the magazine had very little control over the ads that were placed in that particular issue.  Most ad space is sold weeks or even months in advance of the publication deadlines. The advertisements are produced not really knowing what articles they will be placed next to, but are created to appeal to a specific audience.  In the case of 9-11 the audience changed after the fact. When those ad spaces were sold the content of the magazine most likely was completely different in its mock-up stages.  Where a publisher can change the content to fit the situation the advertisers really didn't have that option and the magazine was obligated to print the ads that were purchased.  In hindsight we can look at this and say that was a horrible and unthoughtful thing to do to put those pictures next to those ads. But in business reality was there a choice? I am not sure that there was. If the magazine was able set aside money issues and run that issue without advertising at all I am sure they would have taken that option. It would have enhanced the visual impact of the entire story and photo essay, but I am sure that was not a financial option. Unfortunately money comes before esthetics.