Weican Feng
Visual analysis is used to convey the aesthetic or formal qualities of an image. It is relevant with what may happen in the life.
According to Barthes’ (1977a) suggestion, ‘the photograph analysed offers us three messages: a linguistic message, a coded iconic message, and a non-coded iconic message’. And the press photograph is a message which is formed by a source of emission, a channel of transmission and a point of reception’. Although the emission and the reception of message are relatively unchanging, the message itself is certainly different. This metaphor is really impressed on me. Everyday we accept all kinds of information actively and passively. Sometimes I do not notice that these images may change my perception of the world potentially. Some images may touch my heart when they express essential and inner layer of what may have happened in my life or what I have never experienced before. For example, I live a relative peaceful life, whereas Syrians have to struggle for their life. When the images present the living situation of them, the belief of ‘peace and love’ perhaps becomes more universal.
And when we analyze the photograph, Barthes(1977b) indicates that it can be found that the structure of the photograph is not isolated. The linguistic accompanies with the image to express the message. Hence, the content of the photographic message is the literal reality. But on the other hand, Barthes explains that the image is not the reality and the message is without a code. Besides, he insists that ‘the linguistic message is thus twofold: denotational and connotational.’ With only image signs, different people absolutely hold different opinion. Linguistic message may assist to give instructions. ‘In other words, the sign of this message is not drawn from an institutional stock, ,is not coded, and we are brought up against the paradox of a message without a code’ ( Barthes, 1977a: p35).
Reference
Barthes, R. 1977a. “The Rhetoric of the Image”. In Image, Music, Text, 35–51. London: Flamingo.
Barthes, R. 1977b. “The Photographic Message.” In Image, Music, Text, 15–31. London: Flamingo.
MCS923 Group 5 