Media Literacy (VISUAL LENS)

"Visual literacy is a learned “reading” of

images. Semiotics is the study of how the

reading of signs and symbols together

communicate complicated ideas in the

form of codes (Lester, 2000). Just as basic

textual literacy uses vocabulary, metaphors, 

and genres, visual literacy employs

 colors, icons, and various media

to communicate ideas and feelings to

readers. Grounded in the senses and

surrounded by a context, both basic and

visual literacy rely on active construction

of meaning through a process of interpreting 

codes and signs."

Reference:  Abilock, D. (Photographer). (2003). Power lens. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6DFAmexYq7vMTFmZjZhNWItZWY5Ni00NzdhLWIxYzItMmE4NmI0MGI5NzJl&hl=en

I chose this section of the text because I feel like images are a HUGE part of our world, and this generation. Children, adolescents, and younger adults today tend to be able to receive information in more of a visual manner, rather than textual or even digital. Before a law was passed against it, advertising companies, like Coca-Cola, would flash images on the screen of a movie for about 0.25 seconds. This quick view of an image could start a thirst for that product--images control us! Stop signs, billboards, trees beside the road, McDonald's signs, brand names--all of these give direct messages to our brains, allowing us to be either informed, persuaded, or dissuaded from anything.

Images tend to spark situations or thoughts in our minds, which lead to certain emotions or actions. The following video shows images that are entertaining, and surely spark emotions :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n66t4aZA8to