In class I've begun looking at semiotics. It's a way of looking at visual images. All images reflect the dominant ideology (the existing set of beliefs) of the time. With this image seen in Paris Match, the image depicts a boy who is seen as patriotic. He is supportive of france and represents the equality in france. The messages being portrayed here are false however media can be seen to represent information and themes in this appealing manner.
looked at Mythologies which is a book by Roland Barthes published in 1957. It's a collection of essay which examine contemporary social value system to create modern myths. He looks at the semiotics of the process of myth creation; his work's considered to be a key aspect of cultural studies. The term myth would often be associated with legends but for Barthes they were the dominant ideologies of our time. All texts are re-presentations of the world. We can identify that images can be manipulated and media can be used to represent something specific.
- "denotation is what is photographed, connotation is how it is photographed (Fiske 1982,91)
This cover of Paris Match is a good example of the way media is used to represent and maintain a "myth". In this case the myth of the french empire which is accomplished by representing it as 'natural'.Following the view of Barthes, I am able to see how media is presenting a "myth". The boy on the front is used to represent the apparent eqauality in the french empire and as barthes states they wish to convey that there is no "colour discrimination".
This myth is created through use of the boy who speaks to an audience on an emotional level. He represents youth and innocence as well as unity and which will have an emotional effect on the audience.
Rhetoric of the image
Roland Barthes also defined a straight forward description of a text as "denotation". He explained that "connotation" is the given to a text when society interprets added layers of associated meanings from the text. For example when a word has a literal meaning such as the concrete noun "chocolate" this would be "denotation". This word may have symbolic/cultural meanings associated with it such as romance which is known as a "connotation".
Pride (2014)
The image has many connotations that link with the name of the film ("pride") in various ways. People are shown to express their pride with their body language. Thos in the image have bold stances; the hero shot has been used to show this sense of pride. Those in the image appear to be happy and many show with their facial expressions that they are shouting or yelling. The megaphone would also have connotations with being being bold, loud and gaining attention.This wish to be loud could be associated with a wish for attention which, in this context, the audience would understand to be likely. Body language such as this as well as the large group of people holding signs and flags would signify that this is an important event and march. The background assists with this as it is very iconic and therefore it is likely that this would be a way of gaining attention and it is likely people are marching through the streets. The colour of red is very bold and could be used to signal a warning that these people are willing to fight for their rights. Contrasting with this however white is also included in various places. White often has a connotation with meaning peace which could be interpreted by the audience as a wish for peace.
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You have given solid accounts of the research that you have done into semiotics and how representation is constructed. You have conducted background research into media theorists. You are starting to use media language confidently and to show the ability to analyse visual imagery. An excellent start.
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