Photo Connotations Task

For the first part of our course, we were set an exercise to go out and photograph moments that can connote different meanings and structure, focusing on the shot types and angles of the camera.

One still image we captured denotes a subject holding an object above their head. With this shot, we wanted to connote 'danger'. By taking the image from a low angle, towards the subjects feet, we give the impression of a threatening nature, as the view of the subject makes them seem tall and powerful against the inferior subject we assume is below screen. This can count also as a point of view shot (POV) as it seems the position of the camera is believed to be the victim of the subject in the still image. The fact that the subject's face isn't visible connotes the dark nature of the image, and shows how evil the subject is shown to be. The dimly lit background with a single strip of light above the subject also allows the picture to connote evil with Chiaroscuro, the duality between the dark shadow and the light strip behind as many horror/slasher films are associated with darkness and shadows, which is exactly what our image depicts.

Danger

Another of our images we captured denotes the subject alone in a vast space. With this shot, we believed we could connote 'loneliness'. This image was taken from eye level. This conveys a deeper meaning that this loneliness for the subject is normal, conveyed by the camera angle. We decided that this image needed to be shot as a long shot, far away from the subject. This creates the feeling of isolation, and showing the empty surroundings allowed us to further enhance our understanding of the loneliness of the subject. Their is little detail on the subject, with barely visible facial expressions, this is because we wanted to use our shot as an establishing shot, and make the viewer imply why the subject of the still image is alone.

Loneliness

The next image we took, we wanted to depict 'weakness' To do this, we decided that we needed to do a 'Low vs High' shot. By positioning the camera up high, with the subject down low to the ground, we can depict that the subject is inferior and weak, compared to the camera which we can assume is a person of high power due to its position. This shot includes an object in the background, (a wet floor sign) so to keep focus in the foreground, on the inferior subject, the blurring of all of the shot besides the primary subject allows us to highlight the focus on the feelings of the depicted person.

Weakness

The final image we took denotes 'strength'. The low camera angle allows us to depict power and superiority, and with the ambient light around the subject, it gives us the sense of artificial power, as the lighting isn't natural, showing the subject's power isn't natural either.The medium shot, showing the upper body and head of the subject allow us to highlight the body language and emotion of the character/image. The subject is just off center, which impacts the shot, as it shows that they are the main point of focus.

Strength