The Power of Images: From Postmodern Art to Memes Page: 118
This chapter is part of the collection entitled: UNT Scholarly Works and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
118 Chapter9
f 4Y J
4JFigure 9.3.
Spatial Arrangement. The people on the left are closer to each other; therefore, they
will be perceived by the viewer as having a closer relationship than the people with
more space between them. [epicstockmedia] 123RF.com and [vejaa] 123RF.com.
The closer the person or object is perceived to us, the more intimate connection we
feel with them.17 Many advertisements depict people and objects closer than they would
usually be experienced in person.18 In addition, people or objects that are depicted as
below our point of view are perceived as having less power, compared to those who appear
to be looking down on us and so are perceived as having more power.19
The spatial arrangement of visual elements in an image is known as a composition.20
Compositional elements include placement, information zones, framing, and modal-
ity.21 The placement of objects or people closer to each other conveys a sense that they
have a connection or closer relationship than those that are placed in more contrasting
positions.22
An image can be understood as divided into information zones of center, left, right,
upper, lower, and the sides.23 An artist will place a person or object in the center or upper
section of an image to convey a sense of greater importance, while placement on the sides
or bottom conveys a sense of less importance.24 The concepts of before and after are also
communicated by depicting a scene in the left quadrant as before and the right quadrant
as after.25 This way of reading before and after may have something to do with our idea
of linear time or the art history technique of narrating in panels from left to right to tell
a story unfolding in time.
Framing is a compositional device used by artists and photographers to guide our focus
and to decide what part of the image to include and exclude from our view.26 Framing can
be accomplished by cropping an image to create edges or placing white borders around
a photograph, etc.27_;, -
_
x4
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This chapter can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Chapter.
Barham, Rebecca; Guo, Xuan & Mikler, Armin R. The Power of Images: From Postmodern Art to Memes, chapter, 2021; (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1836242/m1/4/: accessed March 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .