Compositional Analysis of Images

Compositional Analysis of Images DRAWING ON KRESS AND VAN LEEUWENS CONCEPTS OF THE GIVEN AND THE NEW IN READING IMAGES: THE GRAMMAR OF VISUAL DESIGN (1996), PERFORM A COMPO ­SITIONAL ANALYSIS OF ANY TWO OF THE GIVEN IMAGES. An Image is a tangible or visual representation of a person, a place or a thing. All images carry a meaning which can be understood differently by different people in different situations. Composition is the way in which something is put together or arranged or the combination of parts or elements that make up something. Malcolm Barnard in Approaches to Understanding Visual Culture (2001) suggests that we concentrate on the looking and analysis of images by focusing on elements of visual culture that are said to be intrinsic or internal to the work; elements such as shape, line, colour, texture, and layout or composition. (Barnard, 2001, p.168). An image can be analysed through its composition and drawing on Kress and Van Leeuwens concepts of the Given and the New a compositional analysis of two images will be performed in this essay. Kress and Leeuwen argue that the left of an image is assumed to be The Given and the right to be The New meaning that the left is something which is already known and the right is the key information which is not yet known or agreed upon and thus creating the salience. Speaking of salience, before we analyse the images it is important to know the three principles of composition. INFORMATION VALUE: The value of an element depends on its placement as different zones of an image have different values attached to it. SALIENCE: The most eye catching element of the image can be realized by factors as placement, size, contrast, colour, sharpness, etc. FRAMING: The dividing lines created by elements or actual frame lines disconnect or connect elements of the image representing if they belong or not to one another. (Kress and Leeuwen, 1996, p.177). They argue that this theory can also be applied to magazines, newspapers, advertisements and diagrams. Magazines and newspapers tend to have pictures and articles on a left/right axis. The structure of sentences also work with the theory. Other theorists like Ron Needham and Freud had diverse views of the Left and Right of an image with left being bad and right being good and left being sinful and right being righteous respectively. When analysing the below image of   The Creation of Eve by Lorenzo Maitani we see that God is placed on the left who was there already and is thus considered as Given while the woman Eve the new creation is on the right regarded as the New. The placement of Eve in the image is not exactly in the right one can argue as majority of her body is placed in the centre of the image. Michelangelo, on the other hand, in his famous painting The Creation of Adam on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, placed God on the right. (Kress and Leeuwen, 1996, p.181). The theory did not hold much weight as now it was man who was the Given and God as the New. Furthermore, considering the diverse views God being on the left makes him bad and sinful with man being good and righteous The above image by Lester Beall Rural Electric Programme 1937 can also be analysed as the Given and the New by understanding that the house on the left is Given and the bulb on the right is New. The image is targeted at the rural or countryside location where light was not common at that period of time making the bulb which has the words LIGHT printed on it something new which has never been there before, thus implying that the house can now have light, if you see the sentence structure (the house can now have light) Kress and Leeuwens theory seem to be working. But if one reversed the sides then the bulb will be the Given which is available to the house making the house New. The house will be regarded as new because it has got the light in it. The theory of Kress and Leeuwen did not live up to the expectations once more. Every person looking at an image would have a different interpretation of the image depending on the time, culture, situation and environment, the concept cannot be taken as wrong or right as every viewer has his own ability of thinking and can portray any meaning of a given image according to his choice. Analysing images through a theory means analysing images through the same lens which will certainly take away the true meaning of the image. Kress and Leeuwen admitted that their theory does not work for every image which has been proved by analysing the above two images. Before concluding this essay your attention would be needed on the point that when making am image the maker has a message that he wants the people to know or draw attention to and if the viewer interprets it differently the viewer would not know if has got the right message which was intended unless and until he asks the maker or studies what the exact message was. Theories cannot be depended upon while interpreti ng images as every viewer has his own way of encoding messages, I would like to close with a quote (Stuart Hall, 1997, p.9): It is worth emphasising that there is no single or correct  answer to the question, What does this image mean? or  What is this ad saying? Since there is no law which can  guarantee that things will have one, true meaning, or that  meanings wont change over time, work in this area is bound  to be interpretative a debate between, not who is right  and who is wrong, but between equally plausible, though  sometimes competing and contesting, meanings and  interpretations.!   Bibliography Kress, G Leeuwen, V (1996) Reading Images: The Grammar of Visual Design, Routledge. Barnard, M (2001) Approaches to Understanding Visual Culture, Palgrave Macmillan. Hall, S (1997) Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices, SAGE.

Company Evaluation Essay

A: Evaluation: Company Q is a small grocery store chain working on being profitable in a large city. Company Q had a couple of stores that were not profitable and were in an area rated for higher crime, so they chose to close these two stores. The social responsibility choice by Company Q was abatement, choosing to remove the stores from the negative environment (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2008). Company Q has by request, been offering high margin items, specifically organic products which are considered a health conscious choice for customers concerned with the environment. These items have to be fresh and being perishable after being displayed for the day result in discarding or wasting by throwing the food away, which is of concern to the community. The community has a food bank which asked for donations of this organic food hoping to help those in need, but Company Q turned them down and showed no real interest in helping the community with the excuse for concern over possible fraud or empl oyees stealing the food that was claimed to be for donation. The social responsibility for helping those in need is being avoided by Company Q simply because they claim concern over fraud by employees. This choice by Company Q may give them a negative reputation for the community (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2008). Job seekers may not want to work for Company Q if they see it as not being socially responsible and the possibility of being stereotyped as a possible thief just because you work for Company Q. The employees may have lower morale because of the negative reputation and disgust towards management for the lack of trust as an excuse for being socially irresponsible towards those in need. This choice may also cause a drop in current shoppers and a choice by possible new shoppers to choose to shop elsewhere. Recommendations: 1. Regarding the stores that were closed in the higher crime rate section of the city due to loss in revenue, the employees and customers or primary stakeholders would be negatively affected. These individuals might not be able to find employment elsewhere and the customers may not be able to travel to another store to remain satisfied customers. This likely being  the case, Company Q has a social responsibility to improve this situation. They can reopen the stores, hire security employees, and install security cameras to discourage the theft problem. This will restore the positive attitude with the employees and customers. This will restore relations with the community and the suppliers. 2. Company Q by request has made a good choice to offer the health foods, though they are high margin products. However, the customers have been asking for years for healthy foods, so the responsibility of Company Q remains that they should sell much more in the health food line. They should choose to sell as much of the lower priced items in the health food line as possible. The community wants the healthy food and it is an important step for Company Q to care about the health of the community as well. Taking care of the community from a healthy standpoint is an important social responsibility that reaches out to the health and mental attitudes of all those who chose to take advantage of a healthy diet. The next step is to choose an ethical way to give back to the community as a social responsibility for the unsold perishable items. To relieve the concern of employee bad behavior, Company Q could draw up an agreement with the local food bank such that they would have to pick up the day-old products and sign a check sheet list of items that were accepted on the given day date. This would create accountability by the food bank personnel and eliminate the possibility for employee theft. It also would yield a positive attitude in the community for Company Q and possibly increase their bottom line making it attractive to shareholders. 3. Company Q has a responsibility to their employees to restore relations with them, as well. Company Q might explore the possibility of donating their time through volunteerism with employees who are willing to sign up for a given number of hours per week at the food bank. Therefore, Company Q would be showing their concern for the community and persons who are less fortunate. This will restore employee trust to know that they work for a company who is socially responsible by giving back to the community and employees would appreciate the opportunity to participate in a volunteer outreach to the food bank. These changes would improve the employee morale. This will get some recognition by the community and likely, some of the secondary stakeholders including media may want to air Company Q on TV relating the donation to the food bank of the day-old food and may film the  employees donating their time to the food bank. This could help Company Q with their interest in the community and shareholders by possibly making their stock go up and increase their sales in all of their stores. References Ferrell, O., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2008). An Overview of Business Ethics; Ethical Issues and The Institutionalization of Business Ethics. In O. Ferrell, J. Fraedrich, & L. Ferrell, Business Ethics Ethical Decision Making and Cases (pp. 4-85). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Global Citizenship

Chapter 5 Social Inequality: Any difference in the treatment of people based on age, race, gender, etc.Social Stratification: Refers to the large hierarchical arrangements of large social groups on the basis of their control over basic resources (main forms include: class, gender and race/ethnicity)a) Dominant group: Characterized by a disproportionate share of power, wealth, social status and health care b) Subordinate group: Has limited access to power, resources and social statusPower: The capacity to control resources which allows structures of dominance and subordination to be createdPrivilege: Gained through unearned power that gives dominate members advantagesBarriers: Visible or invisible obstacles that prevent or limit people’s access to resources, opportunities and benefits of membership in society (i.e. visible: public spaces that are inaccessible to persons with physical disabilities, and invisible: immigrants having limited access to job opportunities)Ideology: Ro oted in history and are maintained through social structures that dictate the order of our society (i.e. women’s position is to be a nurturer, a caregiver and a weak subordinate to men)EQUITY VS. EQUALITY Equity: A framework that allows us to pursue economic and social justice for minority groups in society Equity differs from equality in that treating everyone ‘the same’ may in fact pose barriers Though a policy or practice may be applied equally to all, it may have a discriminatory effect Equity focuses on fairness and refers to fair access to resources, opportunities and outcomes, and pays attention to how power is working in society and challenges unfair systems and practices Equality fails to consider history, current contexts and circumstances of individuals and groupsChapter 6 Social action: Involves a group doing something to make the world a better place and is something that anyone can participate inPersonal social action: A day-to-day life decision tha t creates an impact on the world (i.e. recycling, donating, making environmental changes in your home, volunteering, join a community organization, etc.)Social change: Achieving an alteration at any level in society to create a more just and fair situation for a specific individual or group of peopleActivist: Someone who takes a social action in order to attempt to make a social changeSocial Entrepreneurship: Businesses that aim to create social change through their regular practice, using business principles and market economics (i.e. Paintbox Bistro: uses the business of a restaurant in an underpriveliged area to improve the quality of life of people in Regent Park through the love and enjoyment of good food)1) Micro-level: Focuses on working with individuals or PRIMARY GROUPS trying to remedy a problem that affects them (i.e. turning to family or friends for help writing a resume helps to fight unemployment at an individual level)2) Mid-level: Focuses on working with SECONDARY GR OUPS such as communities or committees to ensure local change (SIMON’S EXAMPLES: YMCA and ‘Skills For Change’ – two services in place to assist communities to better themselves through recreation and the building of career skills)3) Macro-level: Focuses on working collectively as groups at the INSITUTIONAL or SYSTEMATIC LEVELS on changing issues at their root cause (SIMON’S EXAMPLE: Pride Toronto – aims to fight for the equality and acceptance of gays worldwide)Fair trade: A trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions and securing the rights of marginalized producers and workers (MACRO-LEVEL CHANGE)Grassroots: Locally based, volunteer-run, formal non-profit groups (i.e. community organizations, joining or volunteering for non-profits or getting involved in politics – SIMON’S EXAMP LE: ‘Stop the Cuts’ – a group rallying against Rob Ford’s budget cuts)SOCIAL JUSTICE VS. CHARITY Charity: A not for profit organization which people give donations (whether financial or volunteered time) that aims to aid social, cultural and environmental issuesSocial justice: A concept based upon the belief that each individual in society has the right to equal civil liberties, equal opportunity through education, economics, etc. and aims to address the root cause of said issues in order to fix them permanentlyCharity alleviates the symptoms of an issue, leaving the root cause unaddressed (can be seen as a temporary fix to a social issue)Charity is giving a poor person some food or clothing, while social justice advocates change in the economic system so that people have more employment and housing opportunities, in order to better feed and clothe themselvesSIMON’S EXAMPLE: Daily Bread Food Bank is a CHARITY that treats symptoms by providing food t o the hungry (mid-level social change) The Stop Community Food Centre treats symptoms and root causes by educating community on food issues, lobbies government and encourages social action amongst food recipients (mid and macro-level social change)Video Examples of Social Change 1) Remix Project: A creative center made for underprivileged youth who want to express themselves through music and/or design that gives them the resources and tools they need to channel their talent (An example of a social justice)2) Idle No More: Aboriginal movement that brings light to issues such as false treaties and oppression in Canada for hundreds of years3) Tom’s Shoes: Provides a child in the developing world with a new pair of shoes for every pair of shoes their company sells (An example of a social entrepreneurship)Chapter 7 Citizenship: A concept that implies membership or identity in a wider community along with a set of rights and responsibilitiesGlobal Citizenship (CENTENNIAL DEFINITIO N): â€Å"Recognizing that we must all be aware of our use of the world’s resources and find ways to live on the earth in a sustainable way. When we see other are treated without justice, we know we are responsible for trying to ensure people are treated fairly and must have the same equitable opportunities as other citizens of the world. We must think critically about what we see, hear and say, and make sure our actions bring about positive changes†Global Citizenship (OXFAM CENTENNIAL DEFINITION): The importance of learning about â€Å"how the world works economically, politically, socially, culturally, technologically and environmentally†Globalization: The increasing economic, social, cultural and political connections that are forming across the world and our awareness of them (includes expansions of institutions as well as cultural developments and exchanges) Spread of corporations and their powers worldwide, labour is cheap, rich countries profit immenselyE conomic globalization: The concept of large companies and money moving easily around the world, whereas people cannot (i.e. Mexicans illegally entering the U.S. for work)Alternative globalization: Social movements designed to take action at a global level against globalization (i.e. Amnesty International, Greenpeace, World Social Forum Conference (where various grassroots groups connect and discuss similar issues and goals for their organizations)Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A legal charter document that highlights the basic human rights all world citizens possess (Designed to create equality and compassion among all people)Notes From Lecture Slides Racial inequality: A certain ethnicity experiencing unfair judgment or social treatment based solely on their raceInstitutionalized racism: Unfair treatment of immigrants within social structures and institutions such as the government, the police force, schools, churches etc. (i.e. police profiling, immigration detention)Econo mic inequality: Capitalist societies allow for profits to stay at the top of the job ladder amongst people who hold positions of power, which results in an inequality among lower level workersGender inequality: Inequality amongst women and men in the workplace – women earn 81 cents for every 1 dollar men earn in CanadaGendered violence: Violence based specifically towards either gender (more common in patriarchal or misogynistic forms towards women by men, i.e. domestic violence, ‘rape culture’)Colonialism: The political control of people and territories by foreign states (often results in racial superiority, implementation of their customs, traditions, beliefs, etc.)Imperialism: A general system of domination by a state (or states) or other regions or the whole worldInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) IMF & World Bank required changes in order to give loans to pay debts Cut spending on state services (education, health, etc.) Sold off public companies to corporati ons, which open borders and markets the corporations

Substance Abuse And Hiv / Aids - 2383 Words

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