Photographs and pictures are rich with elements that convey deeper meanings through various visual cues. Objects within an image can symbolize different ideas based on their shape, form, and cultural significance.
Reflects our personality and can also be a
symbol or period, culture and status
Light
Various lighting effects/colours provide meaning.
Example: soft, yellow light or back lighting creates
a halo effect and may suggest innocence.
Direction
The way of which the
objects, figures, people,
animal, etc are facing
Colour
White; means innocence, Black; denotes death
in some cultures.
Hindu people mourn in the colour of white, whilst
marrying in red.
Colour usually represents stereotypes for maleness
and femininity.
Size
When it comes to size, large objects are
usually spotted in the foreground/where in
plain sight. Whereas small objects are within
the background and are considered as a low
priority.
Body Language
Pose/Posture, gesture and
facial expression all tell the
emotion of our thoughts and
our feelings.
Angle
Where the photographer has placed
something or someone in the photo
and from which angel are they taking
the photo.
High angle shot: shows dominance
Low angle shot: shows submission of the
object being viewed.
Position
the placing pof objects, shapes, and
figures in photographs in which gives
meaning.
Settings
Have symbolic significance and
influence our response to a photograph.
This includes: dry, soft, sharp, green,
rural, etc, etc.
Objects
shapes and figures which
could be people, animals,
places or objects. An object
can be used through a number
of ways for shortcuts in a
message but relies on the
understanding of the symbol
and it's usage.