Gay/Straight Ad Watch: Is That a Wide-Angle Lens Or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

Gay Guy,

Check out these print ads (click to enlarge) from camera manufacturer Omax. They might not make sense until you see the set of three, all selling wide-angle lenses.

Ha. Ha. I get it. We (straight guys) aren't really interested in photographing landscapes, animals, or skylines. We just want to capture topless sunbathers, cleavage, and booty shots without anyone noticing us. I'm glad we connected on this, Omax, and since you've labeled me as a stalkerish pervert, I'm eager to purchase your products.

Sarcasm off. Look, I know that sex sells, and that a certain amount of objectification is the price we pay to make that system work. I've never been in a bebe store (or even know how to pronounce it... bee-bee or bay-bay?) but I am brand-loyal to them because they regularly update the bus stop shelter I pass every day. What will it be today, bebe? Classy, sassy, or skanky?

But am I wrong in thinking that Omax crosses a line here? That objectification is one thing when bebe, the model, and I are all in on the deal. But it's another thing to promote stealing secret shots of unknowing subjects -- no matter how hot they are, right?

So, I think I'll take my business elsewhere, Omax.

Nikon, Olympus, what new products do you have to offer? And how will you communicate their benefits?

Oh, jeez. Readers, why must camera companies advertise through visual puns which probably go to far? More is better... Auto focus... Get it? Ugh.

--Straight Guy

19 comments:

Straight in Upstate said...

Agreed, SG - will it be okay for iPhone and Blackberry to tout the merits of their devices for upskirt-shots in crowded subways?

kathryn said...

What I don't get is how it appears that only males are purchasing cameras? Or....could it be?....that the marketing ppl are MALE? Duh. According to these ads, there's nothing else worth shooting than the women anyway....forget about kids, nature...the occasional cloud shaped like Elvis.

Straight Shooter said...

Ahh, reliving art school "figure study" photo projects in camera ads. Scantily clad...or non-clad women have been the subject of photos since the first Daguerreotype hit the streets in the 1840's. Hasn't anyone seen Minie Driver in The Governess??

http://tinyurl.com/lqlt9b

Straight Shooter said...

As for the Nikon add...

if they get that large going from two to three megapixels, I can't imagine how large they are now with 12 megapixels!!! Nikon may need to drag Morganna, The Kissing Bandit out of retirement for that!

http://tinyurl.com/m9wwwm

Straight Shooter said...

BTW...Omax????

Anonymous said...

Согласе с мнениями многих, статья очень познавательная, прочитав узнал много нового!

Anonymous said...

Допишите эту статью, то до отличного материала не дотягивает

Anonymous said...

Блого просто супер, всем советую, непожалеете

Anonymous said...

Да, почитал вашу статью и был приятно удивлен написанным, мне статья понравилась. Пишите и развивайтесь дальше

Anonymous said...

интересненько. Статья вовсе неплохо написана

Anonymous said...

Да, после прочтения, я просто поражаюсь как все это бывает

Anonymous said...

Полностью согласен с предыдущими комментариями

Anonymous said...

супер как понравился ваш блог, высокого вам развития

Anonymous said...

Отличный блог, давно не читал, сразу же нашел много нового

Anonymous said...

Ок, спасибо большое, статья очень полезная для начинающих

Anonymous said...

Статья очень понравилась, узнал много полезного, буду пробовать осуществить на практике

Anonymous said...

Как то видел, но потом долго не мог найти, статья очень полезная. Всем советую

Anonymous said...

Прикольный болг, много нашел статей нужных, в которых подробно все описано, спасибо

Anonymous said...

не много статей, советую регулярно добавять, а так в общем блог интересный

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