Visual Understanding
Introduction to Visual Understanding
When it comes to visual representation of images, intricate details of the image may hinder an individual from completely understanding what a visual image is trying to convey. In most cases, the detail that may catch a viewer’s interest may not necessary be of significance value as compared to the whole image in totality. As such, the viewer of the image ends up not understanding an image that may be simple in its presentation. An example provided is that of a painting of a moth on the bark of a tree where the viewer focuses more on a section where it is only smudges of paint. This then brings the issue of how viewing the image may sometimes be overlooked due to focus on parts of the image. In order to appreciate an image, the viewer needs to learn how to see the image as a whole rather in parts. The same case applied when a doctor sees a patient and when a parent sees the patient. From the perspective of the doctor, the focus is much more on the parts of the anatomy rather than the whole patient. From the perspective of the parent a patient is a whole person as the parent is more driven by emotion. Emotion becomes important in looking at an image.
Developing visual understating in the appreciation of various images involves three approaches. The first approach is looking and responding followed by analyzing and then communication. In the first strategy of looking and responding, emotion is critical in developing what one sees in an image. Some images may be direct in terms of their interpretation. For instance, an image of a child starving and the background showing a vulture conveys a direct message of how bad hunger is in the Sudan. The message, in this case, needs no complex interpretations. On the other hand, an image where human actors are absent in an image may require more efforts in trying to understand the image. An image having the natural environment may require relations to what feelings and emotions such an environment awakens.
Under analyzing an image, there are several aspects that need to be taken into consideration. These aspects include the focal point, texture, color, figure-ground contrast, proximity, similarity, color, and shape. The focal point is normally an aspect of an image that gets the viewer’s attention instantly. For instance, a red dot in an array of black dots will quickly draw the attention of an individual. Once the focal point has been recognized, it becomes important to consider the figure-ground contrast in the analysis process. In an image, the figure forms the focal point and is what stands out with respect to the background. Figure-ground contrast is critical as it helps in the development of perspective in the analysis. Thirdly, objects in an image may be grouped or ungrouped. Grouping is an aspect that influences the similarity and proximity in the analysis process. Grouping similar objects together establishes a pattern of relationship among the grouped objects. Individuals are inclined to group and organize objects based on size, shape, and texture. The color is important as it helps to bring out emotion in an image. For instance, blue may resemble tranquility or peacefulness whereas a red color may be used to portray embarrassment or anger.
Communication forms the last approach applied to visual understanding. What makes communication difficult is that art is more about experience and perception rather than explained in a language. The other individual has to have an experience or perception of art. As such, the other person having such an understanding can be able to understand the language applied in the analysis of an image such as color texture or proximity.
