Reading Images

Vocabulary

Draw up the following table in your workbook. You will need two whole pages. Six rows on one page, seven rows on one

page.

Visual Literacy Term Definition/Meaning Example/Image

Completing your Glossary

Copy the information from the PowerPoint into your Glossary Table. Then use the images provided to find an example of each technique. Make sure you clearly label which part of the picture is an example of the technique.

The first one has been completed for you.

A Vocabulary for Visual Texts

• Gaze- refers to where the figure in the image is looking.

No image required.

• Demand- a term used when a figure in the image ‘gazes’ directly out of the page at the reader demanding a ‘response’.

Suggested Answer

• Offer- a term used when a figure `gazes’ at another object in the image encouraging us to look at that object.

Suggested Answer

• Vectors- lines-abstract or actual, that guide the viewer’s eye across an image. They may be objects or parts of objects (such as arms, legs, a pole, the side of a house) or invisible lines such as the direction of gaze from a represented person’s eye to another person or object.

Suggested Answer

• Salience ( focal points)- the element(s) in an image which standout and attract the viewer’s attention. Suggested Answer

• Reading Path- the movement of the viewers gaze around a visual text. This can be influenced by elements such as ‘vectors’, ‘salience’, ‘gaze’ etc.Suggested Answer

• Foreground / Middle ground / Background- What is in the foreground is often considered more important than what appears in the background.

Suggested Answer

ForegroundMiddle ground

Background

• Centrality- placing of the main object or figure, in the centre of the image or close to the centre of the image.

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• Given / New- when an image is clearly divided into left and right. The left side of the image is called the ‘given’ and represents information we already know, while the right side of the image is called ‘new’ and represents the information we may not know.

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• Ideal / Real- When the image is divided horizontally, top and bottom. The top of the page is often called the ‘ideal’. In advertising the product is usually placed in the `ideal’. What has been placed at the bottom of an image can be said to represent the ‘real’ and usually contains information about the product.

Suggested Answer

• Viewing Angles and Distance- are very similar to film shots. For example ‘low angles’ make the subject look more powerful while the reverse is true when a’ high angle’ is used. Like in film medium, illustrators use ‘shots’ for different purposes, e.g. close-ups, long shots etc.

Undershot / Worm Hole shot

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• Symbols - symbols can be used to represent ideas or concepts etc. e.g. the Statue of Liberty, a Cross.

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Most recognised symbol in the world

• Colour Associations- creates moods e.g.

– Red – active, passion, masculine, emotion, danger

– Yellow- warm colours, cheerful, joy, light-hearted.

– Blue- cool, calm, wisdom– Black- evil, mysterious, powerful, fear.– White- purity, innocence, timeless,

mystical

No image required.