Visual Techniques How do pictures tell a story?

Visual Literacy is the ability to understand the meaning

and layout of an image.

ShapesShapes are a part of our world. We grow up learning what shapes mean and share that meaning with others in a type of ‘picture language’. Children will often learn to draw a circle for the sun, a square and triangle for a house. A circle tends to be a calm and relaxed shape, like many curvy images. A square can be stable, but also dull. A triangle might symbolise action or conflict. Artists love to play with shapes.

DirectionWhen we look at an image, our eyes move across the image in a certain way. We tend to look at the vertical image first, followed by the horizontal. The diagonal direction might give a feeling of movement or change. The direction of curves can be either unstable or safe, depending on the sharpness of the curves. Triangles can ‘trap’ our eyes and draw attention to a certain image.

The ‘layout’ is how a picture is put together, where the images

are placed and what colours are used.

LinesLines can give the feeling of

motion across a visual space. A line has a definite direction. The horizon or a horizontal line can provide a feeling of balance and stability. Diagonal lines attract

the eye.

DotsDots can act as the pointer

or marker of a space.

 

TextureTexture is the surface of an image or an effect created

by the artist. Certain features may appear rough or smooth and this will add to our understanding of and relationship with an image.

HueThe colour of something is its hue. Hues can be divided into warm and cool colours. Colours are important in expressing moods and feelings. Red represents anger, pain and love. Blue is cool and calming and often represents truth, authority and stability. In many cultures black represents evil, whereas white is associated with innocence or purity. Yellow is considered a cheerful and warm colour.

SaturationThe colour within images can

be saturated, that is to say, deeper or brighter to create a

different mood or feeling.

More about ColourTypically in Australia, and many other Western Countries the following colours create a message to the viewer:- Red: anger, passion, danger, stop - White: peace, purity, cleanliness, life- Black: death, sickness, evil - Green: go, nature, happiness- Blue: peace, serenity, boys - Pink: love, girls- Grey: tedium, boredom, depression, confusionComposers will often use colours that stand out in order to attract the attention of the audience.

What story do you think this picture is telling? Think about

what you have just learnt.

Understanding Camera Shots and Angles

Even the way that you look at a photograph or picture can send a message to you (the viewer).

Long Shot- Sets the scene- Shows the subject (people or objects) in their setting- Tells the viewer what is happening

Medium Shot- The most common camera shot used to introduce something or someone for the first time.- The picture will include the person from just above their head until just below their waist.

Close-up- Used to show a person’s feelings- Focuses the viewer’s attention on the person/object only.- The picture will start at the top of the person’s head, down to just below the chin.

Extreme Close-Up- Most often used to reveal a person’s feelings, without using any words, or to show an object in detail. The most common objects to be used in an extreme close-up are: eyes, mouths, hands or small items, like the words on a letter.Extreme Long Shot

Used to set a scene, and extreme long shot is also called an ‘establishing shot’. It will normally be set outside to show a building, or landscape, and is often used to show scenes of thrilling action.

Straight Angle/Eye Level- Camera is placed in front of the person at

eye-level- This helps the viewer to feel involved in

what is happening. It is also an angle with shows openness and honesty. The most commonly used camera angle.

Low Angle- Camera is placed below the person/object

and is aimed upwards.- This angle exaggerates height and is

used to give the impression that the subject is larger and more powerful.

High Angle- The camera is above the person/object and

is aimed downwards.- This angle looks down on the person, giving

the impression that they are small and less powerful.

Perspective- Objects which are closest to the camera or

the viewer will appear larger, than the object in the picture that further away. Even if that object is, in real life, smaller than the objects behind it.

Focus- Focus in an image is used to draw

attention to a particular object person, whilst excluding other objects.

- It is used to make a person or object the most important part of the picture.

What messages can you find in these next

pictures?

Think about the colours, camera shots and angles and focus.