CGD218: Visual Literacy in Business

When considering magazines like National Geographic, or social media like Pinterest, it becomes evident that photography plays an instrumental role in visual communication. However, creating an impactful photograph is not always easy.

Your textbook explains the importance of design and composition in successful photography. For this discussion, locate a photograph (either on the Web or in print) that strategically uses at least three elements of design (e.g., balance, color, asymmetry, etc.). Then, paste a link to the photograph (or, if it is in print, upload a scanned copy to the discussion forum or the web), and explain which elements are utilized, and how they affect the overall impact and message of the photograph.

Possible Resources

• 13 Photographs That Changed the World  (http://www.neatorama.com/2007/01/02/13-photographs-that-changed-the-world/)
• Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews – TIME.com  (http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1631993,00.html)
• National Geographic Photo of the Day  (http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/?source=NavPhoPOD) *

 

Example: 
Link to Photo: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/svartifoss-waterfall-iceland/

I chose photograph of Svartifoss, Iceland, taken by Giacomo Ciangottini, and displayed on the Photo of the Day section of the National Geographic website.

This photograph utilizes asymmetry (particularly, the rule of thirds) with the waterfall on the left. This asymmetry is balanced by the dark section of rock in the upper right corner of the image. The photograph also utilizes line, in that the waterfall, the lines in the cliff, and the slope of the area around the lake all work together to guide the eye from the upper left, directly down the photograph, and toward the bottom right. Finally, its use of color conveys an overall impression of a natural, albeit, majestic scene.

Guided Response: Respond to at least two of your peers with feedback on their analysis of the photograph they selected. Do you see the same design elements they did? Do you agree with their interpretation of how these elements impact the overall photograph? Can you find any additional design elements they did not address in their post?

 

Like photographs, motion pictures are a significant medium for visual communication.

Watch at least three documentary trailers. (Recommended: iTunes Movie Trailers: Documentary(http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/genres/documentary/)
 

Based on one of the trailers, what do you think is the intended message of the documentary? What are motion pictures able to do that photos and still images cannot, and how does that impact the message being communicated? Can you think of any ethical concerns or controversial issues related to the use of motion pictures as a communication medium? Explain.