Reading and Discussion 5

Reading Reaction

Chapter 3

“As society moves away from the dominance of written language texts, we are also moving from the printed page to the electronic screen (Kres, 2010).  Both of these changes, from language to image and from page to screen, represent fundamental shifts in how we perceive the world and communicate meanings, and the modes and resources available for representing what we know” (Serafini, 2014, p. 30).

I completely agree with this, however, I think we will never drop word-only texts completely… even in art, just like we will never drop image-only work.  This is because people recognize that there is value in sticking to one mode once in a while.  Think about this:  What do people always say “the book is better than the movie”?  It is because the book has reached us through a single mode, and we have used our own minds to provide the rest.  The film has reached us in a multimodal way that leaves the “viewers” mind with less to do.  Sometimes we still want to be engaged by a single mode… other times we do not.  We didn’t need to give up walking just because the bicycle was invented.  Each can serve its own purpose and provide enjoyment in its own way.  However, I must admit that the invention of the car has caused some people to give up both altogether…  How does today’s communication technology fit into this analogy.  I will have to wait and see.

Chapter 4

“As digital technologies make producing and disseminating multimodal ensembles easier, changes in the way people use these texts and the power of relations between producer and consumer are continually evolving…” (Serafini, 2014, p. 47).

Certainly, technology has made it easier to publish, to vote, to create… to do a lot of things.  I think the biggest change in relationship between creator and audience has been the closeness of connection.  I can sort of “follow” my favorite songwriters in almost real time as they release songs and videos, accompanied by e-mail and social media notifications, and I can comment on their work in a way that they could read if they wanted to.  They, in turn, can do the same to what I create.

Chapter 5

“Artists use visual symbols and motifs to convey meanings beyond the literal or denotative level” (Serafini, 2014, p. 61).

This is simple and true.  The sooner we can get students to start seeing motifs and symbols in what they view, the sooner we can get them to understand that those were put there on purpose to help add a layer of meaning to the text.

Photo by ExpeditionMedicine

CONTENT ANALYSIS

What do you see?

Here I see two middle-aged men.  They are Toureg, nomadic people from the Sahara. One is wearing a wrist watch, and holding a stick.  The other looks directly at the camera and his face is partially covered.

What is the image about?

This just seems to be an “action shot” in which the two men were caught on film in the course of their day.

Are there people in the image? What are they doing? How are they presented?

To two people are presented in a very non-contrived fashion.  This appears to be a quick picture, and if I were to guess, I would say they are mounted on camelback, and the photographer is on the ground below.  Toureg people ride camels, by the way.

Can the image be looked at different ways? Explain how the image might be interpreted from two diffferent socio-cultural perpsecitves. Which perpective is dominate? 

I feel that this image is likely to be interpreted a number of ways.  Americans tend to lump many people who wear African or Middle-Eastern dress into a single group.  The head and face coverings, and the robes and scarves are foreign to the everyday American experience.  I actually think many Americans might interpret their style as “old world” or indicative of a “developing country.”  Touregs, however, are still nomadic by choice, and they do use many forms of modern technology (electric guitars, motor vehicles, watches, etc.).

How effective is the image as a visual message?

This picture is effective at telling the story, albeit, one that must be inferred by the viewer.

VISUAL ANALYSIS

How is the image composed? What is in the background, and what is in the foreground?

The background is a clear blue sky.  The foreground contains the two figures described above.

What are the most important visual elements in the image? How can you tell?

The most important visual elements in the photo are the eyes of the two men.  Both of “smiling eyes.”  One looks at the camera and one looks in the distance. 

How is color used?

The various blue hues stood out to me.  I believe the photographer isolated the two men before the sky to show the overpowering blue.  I feel it was an “artistic” decision to do so.

Can the image be looked at different ways?

I think the image can be looked at in a number of ways, but like any portrait it is up to the view.  Very little is being conveyed for emotional manipulation.

What meanings are conveyed by design choices?

The meaning I get here is that people of various lifestyles can lead happy and healthy lives.  Nomadic people do not need to be moved into suburbia.

References

Serafini, F. (2014). Reading the visual: An introduction to multimodal literacy. New York: Teachers College Press.