Connecting Essay 4

This image uses visual aspects to explore what is going on within the mind of the person within the photograph. This creates a statement about hyperreality as it shows how how the audiences emotions and connotations drawn towards the image can be manipulated by Photoshop. I used a harsh light on one side of the face in order to create contrasts within the image, causing the opposite half of his face to fade into darkness. This use of shadow offers connotations to mysteriousness and obscure thoughts. The position of light allows for a large portion of the person's face to be covered by the red tone. The colour of red offers connotations to violence and anger. The addition of the sharp object pressed against the face of the person holding it is enough to make the audience feel uncomfortable, the harsh light of the image emphasises this as the impact of the object can be seen, deep on the skin. These factors combine to suggest that this person is psychotic and mysterious, without these visual cues the tone of the image would be less prominent to the audience.

This image attempts to depict intense emotion through tone in a simple portrait format. A soft, direct light seems to have been used on the face of the person in order to emphasise shadows within the frame. As a result, aspects such as the muscles in the neck and expression on the face become more apparent within the image. These aspects of the image imply a certain strain on the person's face as if he is shouting. This is a clear example of anger as it is represented through an act that offers connotations to violence. The use of a black and white filter helps to emphasise these tones within the image and make shadows more prominent. However, the composition of the image causes the audience to look into the eyes of the person being photographed. The  soft light reflects from the eyes in a way which make them appear to be watering, as if the person within the image is holding back tears. This tone is emphasised through the use of a dark background which helps to provide connotations to isolation and emptiness. These factors combine to suggest that the person within the image is suffering with something that is affecting him dramatically, causing an outburst of rage.

These two images link under a number of features. Both images use visual methods in order to analyse what is going on within the mind of the people that are being photographed. Tone is a heavy influence as light and colour are used to enhance shadows and draw connotations to different emotions and mind states such as loneliness and anger. These visual aspects act as a prominent influence on the audience in order to manipulate the way in which they perceive the images and the themes present within the frame. Both images use a black background which offers connotations of loneliness in both instances. The use of this implies that the people who are feeling these extreme emotions feel detached from the rest of society and do not fit in.