Week 4
Semiotics (Scienceof Signs)
Richard Bart
1. Methodologies
2. Image – Music – Text
3. Camera Lucinda
Advertising, Fashion, Music, Popular Culture.
(the Photographers Eye)
Five parts (anexcellent example of structuralist thought) (had its limitations and tworeductive)
1. The thing itself
2. The detail
3. The Frame
4. Time
5. Vantage Point
Image Sign analysis
1. Denotation (what we can make out in an image, What we can identify, listingkeywords to describe things in the picture ) as if someone can't see it.
2. Connotation (ideology or message being conveyed and what the visual elements add to.)
Semilogical terms Signifierand signified which together make up a sign.
Denotation
Denotation in the context of an image refers to the literalor primary meaning of the visual elements or objects within that image. It concernsthe objective and explicit representation of what is visible in the picturewithout delving into any deeper or symbolic interpretations.
Denotation is the first level of analysis when interpretingan image and involves identifying and describing the essential, observableelements and their relationships within the image. This includes recognisingobjects, people, places, and other visual cues presented in the image withoutascribing any additional symbolic or subjective meaning.
For example, if you have a photograph of a red apple on atable, the denotation of the image would involve identifying the apple, thetable, and its physical attributes like colour, shape, and placement within theframe.
Denotation provides the foundation upon which connotation,which is the secondary or symbolic meaning of the image, can be built. Intentinvolves interpreting the emotions, ideas and messages the image might conveybeyond its literal representation.
Connotation
The connotation in the context of an image refers to the secondaryor symbolic meaning of emotions, ideas, or messages that go beyond the literalor dental denotative representation of the visual elements within the image. Itinvolves interpreting the image subtext on the associations of cultural,emotional and subjective significance that the image may carry
Connotation is more about the viewer's personal or culturalinterpretation. Some may vary from person to person based on their experiences,beliefs, and cultural background. Various factors can influence these interpretations,including colour choices, composition context and the viewer's emotional andintellectual responses to the image.
For example, consider a photograph of a wilting rose. Thedestination of the image is a wilting flower; however, the Connotation couldinclude feelings of sadness, decay, mortality or the passing of time, dependingon the viewer's perspective on the context in which the image is presented.
Connotation is an essential aspect of visual communicationand art, as it allows images to convey more profound and nuanced meanings andelicit emotional or intellectual responses from the audience. It is a criticalcomponent of visual storytelling and can communicate complex ideas, messages,and themes through imagery.
Punctum
punctum" is a concept introduced by the Frenchphilosopher and literary theorist Roland Barthes in his book "CameraLucida" (1980). Barthes used the term to describe a specific detail orelement within a photograph that has a unique, personal, and emotional impacton the viewer.
Punctum: In contrast to "studium,""punctum" represents a photograph's personal and subjective aspect.It is an element within the image that has a unique and deeply emotional impacton an individual viewer. Punctum might resonate with a viewer in a deeplypersonal way, evoking memories, emotions, or a sense of connection. It oftengoes beyond the prominent elements and is a private, sometimes elusive responseto the photograph.
Stuudium
Studium: "Studium" refers to a photograph'sgeneral, objective, and cultural meaning. It encompasses the photographer'sintent, the context, and the elements within the picture that can be understoodand appreciated by a broad audience. Studium represents the aspects of a photographthat are collectively recognised and shared among viewers. These may includethe subject matter, composition, and the image's broader cultural or historicalcontext.
Essentially, the "studium" makes a photograph excitingor engaging in a conventional or cultural sense, and it can be a moreintellectual or detached response to the image.
In "Camera Lucida," Roland Barthes used theseconcepts to explore the duality of a photograph's impact on a viewer. While the"studium" is the more accessible, shared, and cultural aspect of a picturethat many can discuss and appreciate, the "punctum" is the deeplypersonal and often unexplainable quality that can make a picture truly uniqueand moving for an individual. These concepts help dissect the complex andmulti-layered nature of our photograph responses.
nquire and Discuss
Steve McCurry, Afghan Girl (1985)
Jodi Bieber, Bibi Aisha (2009)
Consider these two examples of different Afghan women who are of a similar age.
Write a short post in the forum below (maximum 200 words) reflecting on how you read these two images. What are their similarities and how do they differ? You are free to research further before considering your response. You should also take into account the different dates, the photographers and the titles used here.
Please don't post before Week 4
he Girl on the Left side.
The Photographer Created an Aggressive look with the use of colours.
When you combine red and green, you create a contrast between these two colours that can lead to an aggressive look because of the sharp juxtaposition of their emotional connotations. The intensity and energy of red can clash with the calmness and balance of green, creating a visual tension that can be perceived as aggressive or jarring.
However, it's important to note that cultural and personal factors can also influence the perception of colour. Some people might see the combination of red and green as festive or even traditional, especially during holidays like Christmas. Others may have different associations based on their personal experiences and cultural background.
The Girl on the Right.
The Photographer created a Shy look, afraid with the use of colours.
Using purple and other design elements and context will play a significant role in achieving the desired look. While purple may not be the most intuitive choice for creating a shy look, it can be incorporated to contribute to a quieter and more introspective atmosphere when combined with the correct complementary elements.
- Collapse Sub discussionColin Pantall
Colin Pantall (He/Him)
Manage discussion entryThanks RobertIt's interesting that you characterise the use of colour as aggressive - it's classic McCurry saturated Kodachrome on the left and the red and green are complementary colours. There is a whole array of colour theories you could look into to analyse this, and it's interesting. But the really big difference is in the mutilation.
Questions to ask ones self.
1. What are you looking at?
2. What can’t you see?
3. What is happening in the image?
4. How has it been made?
5. What are the visual qualities of the image?
6. What thoughts and feelings emerge in you?
7. How do any of your experiences inform your response or analysis?