Today in class, we learned how to analyze pictures for visual rhetoric. Then, we were assigned to find our own image and analyze the visual rhetoric present in that particular image. Naturally, I forgot about this until about half an hour ago (9:15), despite the assignment being due at 8:00. As you can imagine, I was pretty bummed. I mean, this was my first assignment in the class, and I totally missed the bus! In a fit of dejection, I decided to check the website of one of my favorite bands so that I could delay this already late assignment even further. To my immense surprise, they had just announced that over the past five days they had recorded an album and released it for free on the internet! Don't get me wrong, I was still pretty mad at myself for forgetting the assignment, but this made my evening so much better! With this prologue of sorts in mind, I'd like to direct you to my image:
This image is certainly not an example of photojournalism. It visual rhetoric is not inherently obvious, because visual rhetoric makes an argument about something. Because the image does not depict any event or zeitgeist, its rhetoric is subtle. It was released two days ago as a hint that the band was recording an album, something not announced until today. But this photo also provides insight into the band's recording process and mindset during this time. So, what kind of visual rhetoric does it use to convey these things?
Subject Matter- The first things the eye is drawn to in the photograph are the instruments (a guitar and a saxophone, plus another guitar that is harder to see) and the case for some equipment. Further inspecting the photo, one finds that, in addition to the music equipment, there appear to be many things one would find in a home: a bed, drawers, a large record collection. So, one can infer that the recording (at least a portion of it) was done in one of the band member's rooms! (For someone familiar with the band, that is not particularly surprising.)
Focus- The image's focus on music equipment instead of the room that the equipment is in reveals that the band is more focused on the recording process than the normal order of day-to-day life. It shows that the band is willing to sacrifice the comfort of the home in order to make music, which is particularly inspiring.
Audience- This is one of the most important parts of considering the photo's visual rhetoric. The intended audience is close-readers of the band's website (like myself). It was intended to provide a hint that the band was recording something. So its meaning is much more valuable to their fans than to someone who casually sees the image on a student's blog post.
Medium- This image was released online, allowing followers of the band to see it quickly and extrapolate that the band was recording. Had it been a physical photo, it is unlikely that anyone outside of the band would have seen it.
Context- The image had no real context at the time. It was released on line with no accompanying description. Now, of course, it is obvious that the photo was taken during recording.
Action/Static Shot- The image's static nature implies that the equipment in the room has some sort of permanence. Nothing is moving, which means that the space will not be ready to revert back to a simple bedroom immediately. This may speak to the feelings associated with the recording process. In order to record and release an album in five days, a lot of work has to go into it over that period of time. During the recording, it may have felt like it was a permanent process.
And that is the visual rhetoric of a picture I found on Bomb the Music Industry!'s tumblr page! Sorry for the lateness. (For the record, the album is excellent.)
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