Incentives, motive and enticement; they are all great at convincing society to participate in pretty much anything.  Then again, is it okay to primarily rely on undertaking a good deed, as long as 'good karma' will be returned back to you?  An anonymous quote that resonated with me and this subject matter states, "Generosity cannot be faked in order to achieve some other more valued self-serving end."  People can be as generous as Mother Theresa, but if they are doing it just for the fame or for something in return, it really is not considered generosity.  A picture meant to influence people to donate to a cause, which is focused on feeding the hungry, is doing so with a rewarded outcome.  While the donations could actually go to feed people in need, society is more likely to contribute when they receive something in return.  One could argue, that by looking at the typography of the caption under the handbag, its purpose is to generate persuasion to donate to the cause.  This can also be debated through how the white bag in the dull background is one of the main attractions, and how the symbolism of the frail African American model has very problematic intentions.

Many Public Service Announcements and other popular ads are meant to persuade people to donate to a deserving cause or to believe certain perspectives to create an incentive to jump on their bandwagon.  The handbag is the selling factor in this picture and it is one of the main focuses with the price is listed clear and bolded.  Although, in the fine print underneath it, a new caption states, "food for a week", which creates a completely different mood for this picture.  If one were just walking past this ad on the street, they may think this is just a woman modeling for a handbag billboard.  Also, if donating money to an organization that fed starving people wasn't honorable enough, incorporating a purse to help entice people to spend money would, if they got it as a reward.  Likewise, the model is elevating the bag above her, while she is laying in a very low position, which symbolizes that the bag has more supremacy over her.  Still discussing the typography in the photo, the title of this visual is, "People In Need", which is very small in relation to the model and the handbag.  This supports my earlier statement about how this picture looks like a handbag advertisement instead of a fundraiser for a good cause. 

 Color is very important when discussing a picture, its intentions and what the true meaning behind the camera is.  The main 'selling feature' or 'persuasion factor' in this photo is the bleached white handbag.  When you bleach something, whether it is hair or clothes, it is meant to decolorize, or deprive of liveliness or substance.  The color white is known for perfection, innocence, and light.  Compared to the other dull blue, black and brown colors, this one stands out the most and catches the viewer's eye.  This is why it is understandable that it could easily be interpreted as an advertisement for the handbag, instead of convincing society to give their hard earned money to help a good cause.  The background colors are also very dull and almost blurry, because it is so far away.  I believe that the photographer decided to almost blur the background to add symbolism to the picture.  The blurriness represents how society's perspective of charity and donation is 'blurry' because they wouldn't have the internal desire to donate unless they receive something in return for their act of "kindness".  Through the evolving society and media altering our views, the generosity and kindness our culture was known for, has diminished.  So as the world seems to be moving faster than it did in the past, our perceptions have become blurred of what really matters.  In the image, the landscape also looks sparse and bare which correlates well with the cause of feeding those who have scarce food supply.  I think visuals are the easiest and fastest way to get a message across, but at the same time, every single tiny aspect of a picture has a sense of symbolism and is meant to mean something below the surface.  

The decision to have an African American model who is very slim, is problematic whether you look at the photo from the advertisement or desired donations perspective.  Most often, models are very slender, but this model is almost frail which associates to the "People In Need" campaign.  Also, a somewhat controversial opinion, is she depicting that the charity primarily focuses on African nations to aid and support because those are the ones we most often see in the media who desperately needs the most help?  Or is she chosen because her darker skin color does not interfere with the 'perfection, innocence and white light' of the handbag?  I think this is very controversial because the photographer would have gotten the same effect if they would have used a Caucasian model and a black handbag.  So it wasn't a matter of the black and white colors contrasting each in the photo and making a statement, it was the photographer being slightly racist.  I understand that this is a huge accusation, but when choosing a model to star in this photo, a person does have to pick someone with the demographics they are looking for.  Also, the facial expression the model possesses is quite alarming.  She looks almost annoyed or angry with her clinched eyebrows and her hand on her head in such a position.   This could represent the opinions of the people who are in need of charitable support.  When they see people donating just because they can get a fancy handbag, it is counterintuitive. Most people would feel the same way, if the roles were reversed, feeling that humanity doesn't have the true generosity in their hearts to make a contribution to those who actually need it.

Many people could have different perspectives of this photo and believe its main objective is to donate to the worthy organization with the compensation of a bright white handbag.  But the main point is that there should not have to be a reward involved for someone to have the desire to do a good deed and help someone who is in need, even if no one else is looking to applaud their respectable endeavors.  No matter what the overall purpose or goals of this photograph, through the "food for a week" typography, the bleached colored purse, or the representation of the delicate model, it is important to look past the superficiality and do well in the world by helping those who are in true need.  Generosity is full of energy and light, and it is so much more imperative than society thinks it is because we take for granted how blessed we truly are with all luxuries we have been given.

