A Note to Teachers
I designed this presentation with the intention of creating a
definitive work on teaching visual media in the English curriculum.
While this work functions a single presentation, doing so may result
in so-called “death by PowerPoint” and foreseeable mutinous action.
As such, I have included a table of contents for your
reference. You can break this work up into smaller presentations,
alleviate the monotony with activities, etc. I just wanted to take
some of the guesswork out of visuals and cut down on the prep time
so we can get to the real heart of teaching English: the correcting ;)
If you have any suggestions, and especially corrections, please
email me at paulchaisson@gmail.com
All the Best,
Mr. Chaisson,
Bishops College NL
2012
The Hidden Language of
Visual Media
A PowerPoint Presentation for People
Who Hate PowerPoint Presentations
Table of Contents
The Purpose of Visuals.............................4
Focal Points..........................................13
Balance...............................................28
Colour.................................................54
Foreground and Background......................63
Contrast..............................................78
Juxtaposition........................................83
Scale..................................................87
Line...................................................101
Light..................................................113
Perspective..........................................123
Composition.........................................127
Unity..................................................135
The Purpose of Visuals
 Visual media includes both still pictures and film. It
attempts to convey information, and allow the audience
to draw conclusions, through the following types of
associations:
 Cultural associations
 Experiential associations
 Psychological associations
 Evolutionary associations
We are not actually aware of most of these associations.
Thankfully, our brains are ;)
Jedi Mind Tricks
 A well done visual makes you think of certain things, feel
certain emotions, connect information in your brain to draw
certain conclusions, and even act in certain ways.
Fact:
 You are more likely to be attracted to a potential romantic
partner if that person is wearing the colour red, or if they are
simply standing next to a red background. Read the full
article HERE . This fact applies to both men and women.
Why is this true?
1. Our brains pick up on a cultural association between
the colour red and both sex and power.
From the article referenced in the previous slide:
“If you think about it, most of the images that
represent passionate love are red: Red roses, red
lipstick, red lingerie, red heart boxes of candy on
Valentine's, even the "red light district.”
 “Across seven studies, women were more likely to find
the man attractive and sexually appealing when he was
associated with the color red. More importantly, the
results showed that this effect of red on attraction was
mediated by increased perceptions of status. That is,
men associated with red were rated as higher in status,
and it was this increase in perceived status that
appealed to women.”
2. Media has picked up on this which propagates our brains’
association between red and attraction. Promiscuous women
on Shakespeare’s stage wore red. This trend has continued in
Hollywood.
Better yet…
Colours Are a System Neo…
Just in case Powerpoint is being a
scumbag…
YouTube Link
However,
 Because of our associations with negative things and
cues to STOP (teacher pens, police lights, and
ummmm…STOP signs) if your teacher were to print your
next test in red ink you would do just a little worse on
it.
We will return to colours in a bit…
Visual Tools…
To convey information, cause our brains to create associations, lead
us to conclusions, and possibly influence our actions, creators of
visuals have many tools at their disposal. We will be looking at how
the following are used.
To understand visuals we need to understand how certain techniques
convey information to both our conscious and unconscious minds.
Authors use certain techniques to affect us. Understanding how
these techniques are used is understanding the language of visual
medium. These are the techniques:
- Focal Point
- Contrast
- Lighting
- Balance
- Juxtaposition
- Perspective
- Colour
- Scale
- Composition
- Foreground and
Background
- Line
- Unity
Focal Point
Definition of a Focal Point:
what your eye is drawn to, the main element in a
composition.
The majority of images/visuals use “The Rule of Thirds”
- Naturally our eyes are drawn to things placed in
certain positions within a frame.
- To find these points divide your frame by thirds both
vertically and horizontally.
- Where the lines intersect are where you want to place
objects.
Our Brains Like the Rule of Thirds and we will rate
images that use it higher than those that do not
What is the focal point in this
picture?
How many focal points are
used?
Did you notice how the
natural lines in these images
also follow the drawn in lines
as they do in this image?
Focal Points part deux
 Central focal points are just that, objects positioned in
the middle of a frame that immediately draw our
attention. For example:
Feel Something?
 Visuals that utilize central focal points are most likely to directly
address the audience and make them think.
 We associate something standing directly in front of us as being
challenging, confrontational, or limiting us in some way.
 The author of the previous image is attempting to confront you with
the situation in Uganda; make you think of how radically different it
is to your own situation; and to bring about an emotional response
that will hopefully bring about change.
Bonus points if you noted the incredible juxtaposition (to emphasize the malnourishment
the child), the use washed out colours (to create a bleak mood), and the large scale of
the hands (to illicit an emotional connecting between the subject and audience) in the
previous image.
Confrontational, in a different way
Focal Point Test
Okay, the next slide will only be shown for a second.
Take note of what your eyes are naturally drawn to.
You probably saw the giraffe
But…did you see the lioness?
Take a longer look this time.
What’s the story in the image?
This image follows the rule of thirds pretty well.
Our eyes are naturally drawn to the giraffe’s body. It is at a focal
point, in the foreground, and is the largest object in the image.
Once our eyes identify the giraffe they move to other focal points
and identify the lioness. We then realize the cute giraffe is about to
be eaten. The author has literally recreated his own experience
with this scene by utilizing focal points effectively. We feel for the
giraffe.
Here is the same technique utilized more effectively to
produce a much more powerful emotional response.
It is an image of the Sudan crisis. There is nothing that
can be done for the child. He is one of a hundred
thousand. He will die. This image is designed to affect
people like you so that others are not put in this
situation.
It is a horrific image, but also an incredible one in its
effectiveness in causing a response in the audience.
Which one of these is “right”?
Why?
The first one.
 The first image is balanced, which is much more
pleasing to the eye.
 Children balance their images naturally, it simply feels
better to our brains.
 Balance – an arrangement of parts achieving a state of
equilibrium between opposing forces or influences.
Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical.
Symmetrical Balance
 Human beings are naturally drawn to symmetry, which is
why most of our buildings have symmetrical
arrangements of features such as windows.
 In an image, symmetrical balance occurs when there is
an object on one side and another object on the other.
 If you were to fold the image in half the objects and
space would be laid over each other.
 This technique is used to create harmony and let the
audience know that everything is great in this scene; no
giraffes will be eaten.
These giraffes are safe
Asymmetrical Balance
 Is used in most photographs and images.
 There are two ways in which it can be seen:
1. Equally sized objects are placed at focal
points that are correspond diagonally (like our
house and sun).
2. A large object on one side is balanced by two
or more objects on the other side.
Why is this used?
 Asymmetrical balance is not harmonious; it does not tell
the audience that everything is good and happy, neither
does it convey a sense that things are bad.
 It is a neutral state that takes advantage of the way our
eyes naturally take in information.
It’s Like a Teeter Totter
Focal
Point 2
Focal
Point 1
Image Description
Into the Light by Baz Ratner, Reuters
U.S. soldier Nicholas Dickhut aims at a doorway after
coming under fire by the Taliban while on patrol in
Afghanistan's Kandahar Province on April 26.
"This image is all about balance. My eye is drawn
through the frame as the contrasting dark and bright
points give equal weight to the foreground and the
background, and the cinematic quality of the light
balances the cold reality of the subject's mission.”
—Dawn Deeks, associate photo editor of National
Geographic Magazine
How is balance achieved in this photograph?
Large object on one side + two smaller
objects on the other side = BALANCE
Unbalanced Images
But, I thought balance was good?
 It is. Authors use imbalances to show that something is
not right.
 Because our brains like balance so much, a lack of it
tells the brain “something is wrong!” The brain searches
for the source of this disharmony.
 Unbalanced images show are usual quirky; show things
that are strange to us or outside of the norm; or they
are designed to make us laugh.
 The hawk in the previous image has almost a human
quality. He seems to be either peeking at us or asking
us “What are you looking at?”
Balance Summarized
For authors of images, here are some general rules for
using balance:
1. Asymmetrical balance is your standard and the hallmark
of a well-composed image.
2. Symmetrical balance is used when everything is perfect
in the world. It is very pleasing, but a little unreal.
3. Unbalanced images indicate something isn’t right.
Objects that are unusual, different, or disruptive to
their surroundings are made without balance.
 Analyze the following images. Attempt to discern what
type of balance, if it is balanced, is being used.
 Most importantly, why has the author chosen to do this.
This are some of the best photographers in the world.
What are they attempting to tell you?
This image is very balanced. It is thrown off a little by
the green door, but the people are almost symmetrically
balanced.
While the situation almost looks like child abuse the
balance suggests everything is fine. These people are
playing.
Bathed in Color by Kevin Frayer, AP
Hindu devotees pour colored water on themselves
during Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, at the Baldev
Temple in Dauji, India, on March 9. The sloshing scene
followed a Huranga gathering, in which men typically
drench women with colored liquid.
The large object (person) at the lower right focal point
is not balanced by the space in the upper left hand
corner.
Something is wrong here.
The swarming bees are uncomfortable. We would not
want to be there, hence the lack of balance.
Someone was thinking ahead
Again, this is a scene we do not want to be in. The rain
is not fun so a lack of balance is introduced by the
umbrella.
However, the lack of balance also creates a quirkiness
to the image.
We can imagine that everyone in the rain that sees the
umbrella is wondering “Why didn’t I bring mine?
The umbrella is unusual so it is left unbalanced.
Sample Question
Why did the author choose to
symmetrical balance in this
visual?
A. To deliver the message
that equality is good
B. Because there is a scale
scale in the visual
C. The visual is not
balanced
D. To create a mood of
opposition
Answer:
A
The image depicts two
different people as being
equal. If it were not
balanced the author would
be suggestion that there is
something wrong with this
situation. Symmetrical
balance suggests that the
scene depicted is good and
right.
Discuss the balance, or lack
thereof, in this next image.
War, this is where it gets
complicated…
This amazing image is just about as symmetrical as it
gets except for one object.
The gun destroys the symmetry.
The subject matter, namely burning Kuwaiti oil fields, is
terrible, so an imbalance is needed.
However, the real story is that the gun (symbol of
violence) is destroying the harmony of this scene. The
added element of the blackness suggests death.
More on that to follow.
Colours in a Cultural Context
Most of our associations with colour come from
experiences, images, and media based in our unique
culture. Here are the basic associations:
Colour
Association (in order of
most to least common)
Source of Association
Black
Death and Seriousness
Funerals, Formal Clothing
Tends to be Dark.
White
Purity, Innocence and
Peace
Wedding Dresses,
Christening Clothes, Angels
Red (already mentioned)
Passion, Love, and
Sexuality
Roses, Heats, Red Lips.
Purple
Royalty
The Robes of Kings and
Priests
Blue
Calm, Possible Sadness or
Depression
Calm water, “You look a
little blue.”
Green
Nature OR Jealousy,
Sickness
Trees, Green- Eyed
Monster, “You’re looking
green.”
Yellow
Hope, Energy, Youth
Depictions of Both the Sun
and Electricity
More Jedi Mind Tricks
In several cities
around the world blue
streetlights have been
used to produce steep
declines in crime
rates. It started in
Japan.
Colours have a huge
influence on our
behaviours. Your
scumbag brain just
usually goes along with
it and doesn’t tell you.
Blue streetlights believed to prevent suicides, street crime By The
Yomiuri Shimbun TOKYO
Blue streetlights are believed to be useful in preventing suicides and
street crime, a finding that is encouraging an increasing number of
railway companies to install blue-light-emitting apparatus at stations
to prevent people from committing suicide by jumping in front of
trains. Although experts are split over the effectiveness of the blue
lights, railway companies that already have installed the lighting say
they have played a successful role in preventing suicides.Glasgow,
Scotland, introduced blue streetlighting to improve the city's
landscape in 2000. Afterward, the number of crimes in areas
illuminated in blue noticeably decreased. The Nara, Japan,
prefectural police set up blue streetlights in the prefecture in 2005,
and found that the number of crimes decreased by about 9 percent in
blue-illuminated neighborhoods.Keihin Electric Express Railway Co.
changed the color of eight lights on the ends of platforms at Gumyoji
Station in Yokohama, Japan, in February. According to the company,
a few people attempt to commit suicide every year at the
station.Since the blue lighting was introduced, no suicide attempts
have occurred at the station.
Source
For the full story check the original article from the
Seattle Times Here
Literally, the colours you what you wear and especially
the colours you wear convey information to other
people.
Which is why it is a good idea to wear red on a first
date.
This is a part of every aspect of our surroundings.
Other Tips
 If you paint your bedroom bright energetic colours it
will negatively affect your sleep.
 Living rooms should be warm comfortable colours such
as orange, brown, etc.
 Kitchens have a lot of activity. You want to encourage
conversation, so bright energetic colours are great.
 All of this depends on your own tastes, but these
guidelines affect you on a subconscious level.
Just looking at the bright screens of your phone or
computer before bed can cause insomnia or poor sleep.
Your brain associates the bright light with daytime and
attempts to wake you up by decreasing the melatonin
levels in the brain.
Your brain is attempting to wake up as you are laying
down for sleep.
Another Trick of the Brain
Your brain will naturally put dark colours into the background.
This Stella McCartney dress worn by Kate Winslet cuts out an
hourglass figure by utilizing this principle.
Go back and look at the actual shape of the dress compared
to the perceived shape.
McCartney put a lot of thought into this dress. Notice also
how the bust is lighter again creating prominence and
emphasis.
Just a side note…
Objects in the foreground can be moved around a frame
and still be completely seen. Should an object in the
foreground move it will cover up objects in the
background.
Most importantly,
1. Objects in the foreground are more likely to be focal
points.
2. When dealing with multiple focal points, your eyes
will
notice the ones in the foreground first.
3. Your brain will automatically fade dark colours into
the
background.
As this is a lesson on visuals,
What objects are in the foreground in these
two images? What is located in the
background?
An orange interior makes a space
more inviting
If this elephant were covered with black we would
think he is going to be killed. The orange lets us
know he is safe and warm in his custom raincoat
made by his keepers.
Blue adds serenity to a mountain
scene…and this presentation.
Heads up,
 If yours is a quiet class a theme with a more energetic
colour would be better for this presentation.
 If you are falling asleep colours like green, yellow, etc
would be more appropriate.
 Blue calms you down, sometimes too much.
 Think this isn’t the case? Hollywood does and actually
colour codes its movies.
Movies set in a bleak, apocalyptic
future are grey:
Movies set in the desert are
yellow
Smokin’ Aces, set in Las
Vegas
The Hills Have Eyes,
set in rural Nevada
Movies that distort reality are
green
Fight Club
The Matrix: Reloaded
Horror movies are blue
The Ring
Saw
A Nightmare on Elm
Street
Extra points to whoever said “Wait, blue is
supposed to be calming. See this is all
foolish!”
Blue is supposed to calm you down. The director wants
the audience to be calm so he can create a more sudden
change by frightening them.
He/she is seeking a contrast between your normal state
(calm) and the state he produces (fright).
It’s hard to scare someone if they are looking for it.
People get most scared when they are most at ease.
For example, nothing says “relaxed” like pajama pants
and a maze game.
YouTube Link: Here
Sample Question
Given the mood of this image,
what tint could be applied?
A. Green
B. Blue
C. Yellow
D. Red
Answer:
B
The image is serene. There
little energy or warmth, only
a calmness. Green is too
ambiguous.
For a much greater authority on primary colour usage,
explore Maria Claudia Cortes’ excellent website COLOUR
IN MOTION
Contrast – perceptual effect of the
juxtaposition of very different colors. Occurs
when there is a visual difference between
things or qualities being compared; degrees
of dynamic imbalance between elements of a
composition which draw the eye.
Simplified, our brains recognize and are drawn to
different elements put together.
A very simple way of attracting attention is to use
contrasting colours.
The Colour Wheel
Contrasting colours are ones that are positioned opposite of
each other, i.e. opposite colours.
These attract the most attention.
Again, Hollywood uses this. Sometimes too much…
Hmmm….
It’s not only posters. Either this is deliberate
or Shia Lebouf is an Ommpa Loompa.
Sports teams also use this to
create interest in merchandise
Red and green would be better for the Bills, but there is too much
of a Christmas association. Meanwhile, it seems like all the
teams in New York hired the same guy for their logos.
Juxtaposition
Similar to contrast, authors use juxtaposition to draw
attention. However, juxtaposition also usually makes a point.
Juxtaposition – placing things side by side for the purposes of
comparison.
By placing extremely different objects right next to each
other, their contrasting characteristics are emphasized.
Calm seems more calm when it is next to crazy. Similarly, a
person screaming crazily doesn’t seem so crazy if he is doing
it in a mosh pit, if he were to do it in a library however…
From Garden State (2004)
Only the first 1:15 is needed; the rest is a spoiler.
YouTube Link
What is wrong with him?
Zach Braff’s character Andrew is numb to his
surroundings having been forced to take anti-psychotics
since childhood. His is a perfect juxtaposition to the
people around him. He is not just calm; he is
disturbingly calm.
The music contrasts the setting because we cannot
create a juxtaposition of different things (music vs.
setting) only between similar things (Andrew and the
people around him).
The director is emphasizing this difference to
characterize Andrew. We immediately know something
is wrong with him.
An obvious juxtaposition between the beach and
the ocean emphasizes the destruction taking
place.
Scale
As was pretty obvious in the last image, the size of an
object can create a response in the brain.
Evolution has taught us to be scared, or at the very least
weary, of things that are bigger than us.
Conversely, to create an attachment to our children and
ensure the passing on of our genetic material we naturally
feel a need to protect things that are smaller
than us.
Scale – the size or apparent size of an object seen in
relation to other objects, people, or its
environment
Scale and the Brain
Because of these evolutionarily learned associations
authors can use scale to make us intimidated by
something or want to take care of something.
By making a rainstorm look huge in relation to things
around it, an author might achieve a simple intimidating
effect.
What is the effect of scale in
this next image?
Offhand,
Demonstrating how this village is very small in relation
to the mountains around it conveys that the village is
vulnerable.
Also, empty space creates a sense of isolation, but you
don’t have to worry about that…yet.
Remember, depicting objects as being tiny, even things
we know to be huge, makes us think those objects are
delicate, vulnerable, and need to be taken care of.
How is scale used in this visual?
Answer
The scale of the Earth, in relation to the tire track,
demonstrates how vulnerable the earth is. As it is
depicted, the Earth is so small and vulnerable that we
may destroy it an not even notice.
You should also pick up on the symbolism of the tire
mark. Hmmm... what could that be suggesting? What is
the message of this visual? Prove your point using two
visual elements. Scale is one.
To make the Earth look vulnerable you have
to make it look really, really small.
Scale and People ESPECIALLY Faces
One of the most effective uses of scale is found when
shooting or filming human subjects.
Psychologically, the closer we are to people, in terms of
a relationship, the closer we are physically to them.
We hug our parents; we sit much closer on the couch to
a significant other than we do to an aunt or uncle.
If this norm is not respected we get uncomfortable. If
your teacher, for example, puts his/her fact three
inches from yours there will be an immediate physical
reaction.
Authors make use of this in a very simple way.
Creating a Connection
By shooting/filming a subject very closely (making them
very large in the frame) creates the impression that we
are physically close to the subject.
The close we are, the stronger the connection.
We become naturally concerned for the subject. We
want them to succeed, be okay, etc.
The central focal point and large scale confronts us
with her sadness. We want to know why she is sad.
Similarly, we are more interested
in her because of the large scale
Lines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are four major types of lines that you are going to
need to be aware of. Like colours, each type of line is
symbolic.
1. Diagonal Lines
- indicate movement
- used to introduce an element of motion to a still
image
2. Vertical Lines
- symbolize aspirations, hopes, and the longing to
fulfill dreams
- a common association is pinstripes on a business
suit
More Lines!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!
3. Horizontal Lines
- indicate stability
- these emphasize wideness, and we associate
wideness with stability
- If you are carsick stare at the horizon; it is a
stable, fixed point that will make your tummy
better
4. Blurry Lines
- indicate a dream like state or quality
- look at any obvious dream sequences in film
BLURRY LINES EVERYWHERE
How to use lines
Remember the run-over Earth? Did you notice how the
tire tracks were diagonal. This was done to suggest to
your subconscious that something moved over the earth.
Action sports and travel scenes with moving subjects
make heavy use of diagonal lines.
Calm images use horizontal lines. Everything is good and
stable, no worries
Scenes of people preparing to do things, getting ready,
make use of vertical lines.
The previous image is of shoppers going up and down
translucent stairs in an Apple Store.
To introduce movement and make them seem busier,
instead of standing around, the photographer shifted his
perspective to make the lines diagonal.
Take a look at the following:
Test Time
The following visual makes excellent use of line. How
does the author’s use of line contribute to his/her very
obvious message?
Answer
This excellent visual uses lines in many ways. The
diagonal lines suggest movement, however the lines
associated with the drunk driver are literally going
against the established norm. Drunk drivers are, in this
case, moving (diagonal lines) completely away from
what they should be doing. The only lines that are not
vertical are the tree. The tree is not moving, it is
halting movement. The vertical lines of the tree
suggest that drunk drivers are literally aspiring to meet
the “goal” depicted in this image, namely coming to a
painful and potentially lethal sudden stop.
Lights…that’s it…just lights
There are two main qualities of light its source and its
intensity. In terms of source light can either be
NATURAL or ARTIFICIAL. For the purposes of simplicity
we will qualify light intensity as being either SOFT or
HARSH/HARD.
These two qualities produce four different types of light
1. Soft Natural
3. Harsh Natural
2. Soft Artificial
4. Harsh Artificial
As with everything else we’ve discussed, there are
reasons behind using different types of light.
Light Definitions
Natural Light – any light originating from a natural
source such as the sun or fire.
Artificial Light – light originating from man-made devices
such as bulbs.
Soft Light – indirect light that does not cast a defined
shadow. It does not produce a glare.
Harsh Light – direct light that casts a defined shadow and
produces a glare
Soft Natural Light
Soft natural light is, to our eyes, the most pleasing type
of light. Sunlight creates Vitamin D (arguably the most
important vitamin) in the body so our brains create a
subconscious desire to be in sunlight. WoW players
seem to have subverted this instinct...
This light is used to film or shoot gentle scenes, babies,
innocence, serenity.
It has positive associations such as candlelight,
campfires, and sunny days.
Harsh Natural Light
This type of light can best be described as
uncomfortable. We associate it with having the sun in
your eyes, and sunburns.
It is used to shoot harsh environments such as deserts
and mountains.
The majority of the time there will be a subject in the
frame, someone who is exposed to this difficult
environment.
Soft Natural
The soft light
emphasizes the
serenity of this bridge
in Bolivia
Harsh Natural
The harsh light in
this scene reminds
us of the unforgiving
desert sun
Soft Artificial
This is the standard. It is pleasing, not as much as soft
natural, but still…
We create soft light in our homes using lamp shades.
Scenes depicted in this light are generally everydaytype
situations.
The subjects are not in danger, neither are they in a
blissful, dreamlike state.
Harsh Artificial Light
Society does everything to avoid this type of light, so if
it is being used something is wrong.
We associate it with interrogation rooms and poorly lit
basements
If you are filming a murder scene, this is what you
would used.
It can also indicate something is wrong. Filming a child
in this like, for example, would convey to our audience
that the child is in danger.
Soft Artificial
Artificial
The light in this image is so soft, it
takes a minute to see the obvious
blood, which has strategically been
framed away from focal points.
Harsh
This black and white of pop
star Iggy Pop is disturbingly
stark. It highlights the
effects of a lifetime of living
the rock ‘n roll lifestyle.
Guideline for shooting/filming
Babies,
serenity
in
nature
Soft
Natural
Harsh
Natural
Soft
Artificial
Harsh
Artificial
Horror
movie
villians
What can we infer about the lifestyle depicted
below? How does the light complement the subject
matter?
Perspective, It’s all about it after all
Perspective – a system for creating an illusion of depth
or three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional
surface. Usually refers to linear perspective, which is
based on the fact that parallel lines or edges appear to
converge and objects appear smaller as the distance
between them and the viewer increases.
Perspective is not frequently used in visuals, however, it
is a very effective tool for directly affecting the
audience.
Other uses
More common than the vertigo effect in the previous
image is the “never-ending line,” lines that do not
converge on the horizon and seemingly “stretch into
eternity.”
These lines may also lead to something, a not-quitecommon technique used to suggest that one is traveling
towards an object. Depending on the object it might be
obstructing one’s future or where that future is destined
to lead to.
Bringing it all together
Composition – the bringing together of parts or
elements to form a whole; the structure, organization,
or total form of a work of art. The arrangement of the
parts of a work of art as to form a unified, harmonious
whole.
Using everything you have learned you can now begin to
understand the story behind the images. Well done
visuals tell a story, relate a message or invoke an
emotion. How the parts come together to do this is the
composition of the image.
What is the story behind the following image? What can
we infer from what is in the frame?
Identify the elements
The FOCAL POINT is central on the hands, so we are it is
meant to confront us.
The SCALE of the child’s face creates a connection with
the audience.
The JUXTAPOSITION of the hands in terms of colour,
texture, and aesthetic appeal show us how different
these two people are.
The SYMBOLISM of their hands being joined shows us
there is a both a literal and figurative link between
them.
Now analyze your evidence and
put the pieces together.
The boy is young and innocent now, but he will change
as he grows older. His hand will eventually resemble
the adult hand.
The black (seriousness) dirt of adult life is already
starting to rub off on the child.
We are seeing the future of this child, the cycle of
growing up and the hardship that will come with it.
What is the story behind this next
image? If you get it you are set 
Always ask yourself “Why?” Why did the author do this?
He or she could have done anything with this shot, why
did they present things in this particular way?
Allow yourself to make associations and connections. Go
with your first instinct. All of these elements are
designed to trigger things in your brain. Let it do so
then look at those thoughts further.
The Story…
This woman was in a helicopter crash that scarred her
leg. Once she recovered she had a photographer friend
take this image in the field where the accident took
place.
The tone of this image is vulnerability. How is this
conveyed?
Unity
Unity – how various literary elements all contribute
towards a common theme, mood, etc.
What you just did is describe how the composition, the
subjects posture, her lack of dress, the central focal
point, and the colour all contribute towards the tone of
vulnerability.
This is unity. All the pieces of evidence working
together to deliver one message, mood, tone, or theme.
How do the elements in this
visual achieve unity?
You should have noticed the use of black on the screen,
the symbolism of the USB cord as a noose, and the text
itself.
All of these element suggest that technology can be
harmful. These three elements convey the same message;
putting them all together reinforces that message.
Heads up...
Typically, questions concerning visuals will ask about the
message, tone, theme, mood, or effectiveness of the
elements.
You can expect to be responsible for identifying a tone,
theme, mood, or message and detailing how two
different elements convey that information.
Make sure to include a definition of whatever you are
discussing.
Those definitions are:
Tone – the author’s attitude towards his or her subject.
Mood – is the atmosphere or feeling created by a literary
work, partly by a description of the objects or by the
style of the descriptions. A work may contain a mood of
horror, mystery, holiness, or childlike simplicity, to
name a few.
Theme – is a central idea or statement that unifies and
controls the entire work. A theme must be universal in
nature, applying to the majority of humans at any point
in history.
Message – information that the author attempts to convey
to his or her audience.
Last One :’(
What can you tell me about
this classic visual? Many
different versions of this
exist. What is the purpose of
it?
I’m not giving you the answer
for this one.
A few final Jedi mind tricks
Your teacher is about to give you seven seconds to look
at the next slide. On that slide is a very short piece of
text.
Your job is very simple: count the number of times you
see the letter “f”
That’s it.
FINISHED FILES ARE THE RESULT OF YEARS
OF SCIENTIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE
EXPERIENCE OF YEARS.
The answer is six; go ahead and check.
Explanation
Your brain does not register the word “of” as having a
letter “f” as you do not pronounce it like a proper f.
“Of” is pronounced as “ov.”
Despite the fact that you are reading the passage
silently, your brain is still functioning on an auditory
understanding of the material.
Oddly enough, people who have learned English as a
second language are much more likely to respond
correctly to this test.
One more...
Attempt to say the colour of the word. Try not to read
what the word says.
What does it mean?!?!
If you were able to say the colour easily you are right
brain dominant, if not then your left brain excels.
If you are Right Brained then you exhibit the following
attributes which all center on creativity: uses feeling,
imagination, symbols and images, present and future,
philosophy & religion, believes, appreciates, spatial
perception, function fantasy…the list goes on..
If you are Left Brained then you have these attributes of
reason: uses logic, detail oriented, facts rule, words and
language, math and science, order/pattern perception,
reality based, forms strategies, practical, safe.. and
again many more.
Try to remember
Our subconscious is aware of so much more than our
conscious minds. Once you understand the language of
the subconscious you can communicate with people on a
level they are not even aware of.
Should you master this language, everyone will want to
hire, date, and eventually be you.
“With great power comes great responsibility”
- Uncle Ben