This photo was taken during our anniversay trip to Ludington, MI, last fall. To me, the visual argument is similar to that of the Mackinaw Bridge photo I posted yesterday. Here you have a lighthouse tower poking up above the sand dunes in the distance, a vast empty sky, and a lone human figure striding along the trail. The lighthouse is clearly the walker’s distination, but it seems insignificant, almost not worth the effort. And yet the presence of a person in this photo adds an element missing in the bridge picture: human purpose. In effect, there is a story here. A goal is implied, a question raised. What will be found at the end of this lonely, sandy lane?
Lighthouse Trail
April 4th, 2006 · 2 Comments · Interesting, Me, Photo, Rhetoric
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2 responses so far ↓
1 Cathy // Apr 5, 2006 at 9:18 am
Visual rhetoric is an interesting concept. Like literature there are many interpretations of one picture. Is this a sad, lonely, sandy lane or a peaceful, energizing path to nature? Could be both. Could be neither. Could be something else entirely. It’s up to the viewer. What fun!
2 Jim // Apr 5, 2006 at 12:29 pm
Some visual arguments make stronger, clearer arguments than others. A political cartoon or a public sculpture will be designed from the start to make a point, to convey a feeling or attitude about its subject. With photos, if you don’t doctor them, it is likely to be happy accident if a clear point is conveyed — unless a pro with an experienced eye is taking a bunch of shots and then selecting just the right one . . . Like most amateurs, I am just happy with a good exposure, not too dark or too bright! As for this photo, I would say it is more positive than negative, mostly because the walker seems to be strong and purposeful in her movements.
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