After discussing the components of visual rhetoric in class and reading a chapter on the subject equivalent to the length of War and Peace, I feel as though I have gained an understanding of what makes a visual aesthetically pleasing, lasting, and rhetorically effective. Visual rhetoric is just like verbal discourse—it conveys an argument or message persuasively by using the elements of ethos, logos, and pathos, however, solely using and manipulating images or text. Visuals help people to internalize the issue since the analysis of visuals varies considerably upon the interpretation of the viewer. Understanding the underlying message of a visual is not as simple as it could be deduced from hearing a speech directly; you have to infer the message for yourself based upon what you interpret the meaning of the image to be. Why do some images automatically convey the same message to people? What constitutes an “iconic image”? In class, we looked at a few examples of famous images that mostly everyone was probably familiar with. In my opinion, images become iconic when each viewer can interpret the same meaning from the picture. For some reason, this image stands out and makes a lasting impact on the viewer. Iconic images do not rely solely on their explicit underlying message to impact the viewer, they use a strong sense of rhetorical elements, like pathos, to help the viewer connect directly with the image, and thus internalize the same emotion felt by the subject of the photograph. In this sense, the iconic image takes advantage of the kairos represented by the picture, and allows the viewer to feel as though they were there at the time the photograph was taken. In my experience, iconic images always seem to appeal to pathos, capturing an emotion that was felt at the time the picture was taken. Let’s take a look at some examples:
Let’s take a look at another iconic image that goes along the lines of Vietnam War protest, however is portrayed in a completely different light:
This image is from Woodstock in 1969. Amongst the other iconic images of Woodstock, this one really strikes me. In the background, we see people sleeping in blankets and trash scattered everywhere on the mud-laden ground. In the middle of the photograph is a couple embracing amongst the unfortunate conditions of the festival portrayed behind them. Their embrace, and the image depicting it, represents what Woodstock’s message was all about—peace, love, and happiness.
Finally, let’s take a look at another iconic image:
In this photograph, Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, is captured walking into Little Rock Central High School in 1957. This image is extremely striking to me. The image portrays the bravery of Elizabeth Eckford as she walks into the school despite the crowd of white protestors yelling at her from behind. I don’t know about you, but my view automatically centers on the white woman directly behind Elizabeth screaming in outrage. This is another palpable appeal to pathos—the expression of the white woman versus that of Elizabeth describes the kairos of the Civil Rights Movement and the struggles faced by African Americans toward events that seem so trivial to us now—such as simply walking to school.
Images courtesy of: the-reaction.blogspot.com, articlesnydailynews.com, amcop.blogspot.com
All of these photographs are extremely memorable and dramatic, and I think the photographers did an amazing job capturing all the emotions into a still image. These pictures force us to look at and reconsider life from a more serious perspective, which is a big change from our normal, everyday perspective, when we don't take life too seriously. I feel that the last two pictures are especially powerful because they depict people persevering in tough situations. By sensing the courage and strength shown by the people in those images, we feel inspired to bring out the same courage and strength in ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe photographs are so powerful and the photographers did such an amazing job capturing the moment with really works the pathos aspects of rhetoric. The Kent State shooting photograph really evokes a lot of emotion and you can almost feel the pain that Mary Ann Vecchio is feeling as she is by the dead student. The black and white coloring of the photograph also gives it a more dramatic effect.
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