Visual Analysis Essay

Visual Analysis: Week 3 1
Visual Analysis Essay
Kylee Weber
Visual Communications
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Visual analysis a process a viewer goes through when interacting with an image. This is
when two important lessons about the creation of memorable pictures comes into light.
According to the textbook, Lester states, “(1) A producer of messages should have an
understanding of the diversity of cultures within an intended audience. (2) She should also be
aware of the symbol used in images so that they are understood by members of those cultures,”.
Visual analysis is a process that we as viewers interact with on a day-to-day basis. However, a
majority of the time we cannot identify it because it has transferred into a normality.
Lester describes 8 ways that visual analysis helps understand an image. These 8 ways are
production, content identification, functional, expressional, figurative, rhetoric-moral, societal or
period, and comparative. These 8 functionals allow a viewer to identify several different aspects
of an image to fully understand the meaning behind the visual. When a viewer is on the function
of production, they tend to focus on how the image was physically produced and how other
elements combine within a frame. The next function a viewer can use is production. This is when
the viewer identifies the image physically produced and how are the elements combined within a
frame. This can be seen as if an image is staged or if it natural. Context identification is where
the major elements and story is identified within an image. This is seen as attempting to identify
the true meaning behind the image and going through a process to identify any triggers that could
lead you towards a meaning. Functional way is the context of the image and how it was put to
use, this the caption or how it was posted on media and content of the image. The next function
is expressional, this allows a viewer to identify the emotions conveyed and the feelings within
the image. This can be identified with facial expressions within the image. Figurative function is
what are any culturally sensitive elements. This can be identified through symbols and metaphors
throughout the image. Rhetorical-Moral is what responsibilities the producer has to the viewers.
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This is why the creator made that image in the first place. The next function is comparative, this
is where the viewer identifies the culture and timeline of the photograph. Identifying this is from
context clues, time stamps and so on. The final function is comparative. This is when the viewer
identifies similar works from the creator and identify how it fits within his family of work. All 8
of these functions help identify new and creative things about an image that can allow a clear
understanding of the image itself.
The process of visual analysis is step by step when working through an analysis stage.
Lester states that there are 9 steps within the visual analysis process. The first stage is to make an
inventory list. This is where you make a list of everything you see within the image. The second
step is composition, this is where the viewer identifies the pictures elements and ask the
question, “How do individual parts contribute or distract from the picture as a whole?”. Visual
cues are identified as the third step, this is where the viewers identify color, form, depth, and
movement within the image. They specifically take note how they interact and conflict within the
image. The fourth step is the Gestalt Law, this is the visual communication theory of Gestalt and
how is contributes to the understanding of the image. To complete this step the viewer must
identify and get comfortable with the theory of Gestalt. The next step is semiotic signs, this is
identified with ironic, indexical, and symbolic signs within the image. Semiotic codes is the
following step, this is where metonymy, analogy, displaced, or condensed codes are identified
and how they contribute to the image itself. The seventh step is cognitive elements, this is
memory, projection, expectation, selectivity, habituation, salience, dissonance, culture and words
contribute the understanding of the image. Purpose of the work is the next step, this is where you
ask yourself the questions, “Where do you think the picture was made, what do you think is the
images purpose, is it news, art, scientific, a personal snapshot, or some other type of image?”.
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The final step is image aesthetics, this where we identify anything compelling within the picture
and makes the viewer want to view more art similar to image.
Visual analysis is something we come into contact every day. This process can be done
everyday activities such as watching movies or television, looking through scrapbooks, going
through social media, and looking at pictures on the phone, or on walls. Visual analysis can also
allow amazing memories flow back into our memory. Being able to identify and interact with the
process will force the brain to think about the memory that the picture was taken. For example, I
created a scrapbook full of all my high school adventures. I have recently started one for my
college experience. Going back through my scrapbook has allowed me to push myself to use
visual analysis to remember memories. These tools from visual analysis has allowed me to
identify new things about each photograph or image each time I look at it. Visual analysis can
also allow you to feel connected to others when you weren’t necessarily in the image itself. I
have looked through my parents wedding pictures hundreds of time. Each time I open up their
wedding book I find something new that allows me to feel more connected to my family,
especially my parents. The idea of visualizing all the aspects of the images allows me to feel as if
I was there in the picture and attended their wedding.
In conclusion, visual analysis has several barriers hidden within the process. The barriers
that the viewers will face depends on the creativity and availability to identify all important and
key parts to visual analysis. There are main points to identify when viewing an image and when
these points are identified it will allow the viewer to have a clearer understanding of the image
itself. The process of visual analysis can be described in 9 steps and each need to be encountered
thoroughly. Visual analysis is a process that allows a viewer a complete and clear understanding
of the message and the image itself.

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Work Cited:
Lester, P.M. (2017). Visual communication: Images with messages (7th ed.) [PDF edition].
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Visual Analysis: Week 3 1

Visual Analysis Essay

production, content identification, functional, expressional, figurative, rhetoric-moral, societal or

understanding of the image itself.

I was there in the picture and attended their wedding.

of the message and the image itself.

Lester, P.M. (2017). Visual communication: Images with messages (7th ed.) [PDF edition].

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