1. Visual Literacy Modern Literature Mrs. Sudbrink

2. Visual Literacy The ability to understand, interpret, and evaluate visual messages Based on the idea that pictures can be “read”

3. How are pictures literature? Created with the same purposes as traditional literature: –Which are? We will explore: –Photography –Politics –Advertising

4. Importance of Visual Literacy YOU USE IT EVERYDAY! Icons on our phones Logos for products Instruction manuals for furniture

17. Visual Literacy Terms Photography Angle- The vantage point or direction from which the artist photographs the subject Focus- Clarity or blurriness of the image Foreground-The part of view that is nearest to the observer Background- The area or scenery behind the main object of photo

18. Visual Literacy Terms Retouching- improving or repairing a photograph through slight alterations or additions Frame- The border of a photograph Lighting- manipulation of light and dark Symbolism- Anything concrete representing an abstract idea Crop-Cutting the edges of a photograph to produce a better picture or fit a given space

19. Visual Literacy Terms Visual Weight- Ability of a region or object in an image to draw attention to itself Bias-prejudice in favor or against one thing, person, or group, usually in a way to be considered unfair Propaganda-information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view

20. How to “Read” a Picture First: Analyze the composition –What is in the foreground/background? –Is anything arranged in a particular pattern? –Are there any geometric shapes? –Curvy/straight; thick/thin lines? –Is the visual weight of the photograph balanced?

21. Rule of 3rds Avoid placing subject in the center of the frame Split frame into three sections horizontally and vertically Place subject where lines intersect

22. Rule of 3rds Cont. www.mrprensky.infowww.photographymad.com mangabatgrachelle.wordpress.com

23. Rule of 3rds Cont. www.desertus.com www.scm.ulster.ac.uk Stephaniebrayblog.wordpress.com

24. More on “Reading” Images Visual literacy starts with basics- much like traditional literacy First- Identify what you see. What is in the picture? Second- Is there any action or activity in the picture? Third- Pay close attention to tiny details

25. More on “Reading” Images Start to infer –Facial expressions –Clothing –Background light/objects –Condition of objects in the photo The final question- What is not in the frame? –Remember- photographers can crop? Why did they choose this frame? What is just outside the border?

26. Migrant Mother by Dorothea Lange What does this picture say? What is its message?

27. “Migrant Mother” Details Taken in 1935 Picking peas at a farm in California Working for the FDR Administration to document the conditions of migrant workers during the Great Depression

28. Photo by Ansel Adams Ansel Adams Photo

29. Visual Literacy Politics Terms to know: –Bias-prejudice in favor or against one thing, person, or group, usually in a way to be considered unfair –Propaganda-information, especially of a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view

30. Political Imagery, Cont. Presidential Photographs & Appearances –The White House has a Communications Department Built of advertising and television experts Job description: Make the President look good in photos or on television

31. Do you think this picture was a lucky shot? www.digitaljournal.com

32. Political Imagery Most shots are “photo-ops” –Designated times when photographers and news outlets may photograph political figures WHY?!

33. Political Imagery

34. Used to push political agendas –The following photo was taken when President Obama was working hard to gain approval for his Affordable Care Act. What is this image saying?

35. Political Imagery

36. Compare This

37. To This

38. Compare This

39. With This

40. What are your thoughts on this?

41. Visual Literacy with Advertising and Magazines Magazine Covers are ADVERTISING –They are used to get you make a purchase Think about magazines you have seen? What do they all have in common?

42. Visual Literacy Magazines What is the number one factor a magazine editor must consider when designing each cover and feature of a magazine?

43. Visual Literacy Magazines Audience will determine: –Cover Model (dress and appearance, too!) –Headings –Color Schemes –Topics Presented

44. Visual Literacy: Magazine Editors must also consider:

45. Visual Literacy:Magazine Interpret these magazine covers: What symbolism is used and what biases are shown?

46. Identify the symbolism in this cover:

47. Magazine Cover Parts Masthead: Magazine title and logotype Dateline: Month and year of publication often with the price Main image: Cover model of main object on the cover Coverlines: Story headlines/teasers of what can be found in the magazine –In the 1950’s newsstands saw a boom in printed materials, as a result we have the covers we see now

48. Magazine Cover Parts Main Cover line: in the largest font- sometimes taking up ¼ of the cover page Left third: Most important part of the cover! –Some shops cannot place magazines so that the full cover can be seen –The left third of the page must be recognizable and consistent –Must have short, easy to read cover lines –The “Top Fifth” is important in most supermarkets

49. Magazine Cover Types Poster- Style

50. Magazine Cover Types Traditional

51. The Image Not centered on the nose Women’s weekly magazines will typically not use household names, but someone who looks like the woman a reader would want to be. Woman will be made to look younger than readers Male directed magazines like Esquire will use men who are in circles in which its readers would like to be

52. The Image Continued Background will often compliment or contrast with the clothing of the model Many editors avoid white black and green Red stands out but can be overused Different contrasts are often more effective

53. Image Continued Use of numbers suggests that there is a lot of content in the magazine –Editors use numbers like 162 rather than 100 The Bigger the Better People prefer images of individuals with wide-open pupils –A sign of attraction in every day life

54. Dick Stolley’s Mantra "Young is better than old. Pretty is better than ugly. Rich is better than poor. Movies are better than music. Music is better than television. Television is better than sports... and anything is better than politics. “ Has existed in the magazine editing world since 1980

55. Dick Stolley’s Amended the final line to “And nothing is better than the celebrity dead” –This is after John Lennon’s death and his cover was the top selling cover –Until Princess Diana’s death years later.

56. Completing your Analysis Analyze image –Amount of the person shown –Facial expressions –Clothing Analyze text –Size –Font type –Font colors Analyze the distribution of the two –Balance between font and image –Which seems to be more dominant/are they equal?