"What Does this Picture Say? " Blog

Summary: In "What Does this Picture Say?", the author talks about how we interpret different images and what factors help contribute to the way we think about these images. The author talk about the key concept to interpreting images, intertextuality. Intertextuality refers to the way the viewers of images interpret images based on other images that are being put alongside of it. In other words, the interpretation of images are being influenced by other contributing factors such as; location, framing or other images alongside. With intertextuality, people are able to appreciate and critique images and their affects.

Quote #1: "Human experience is more visual and visualized than ever before. In many ways, people in industrialized and post-industrial societies now live in visual cultures to an extent that seems to divide the present from the past" (Pg 1).
I believe that the author just described the purpose of his writing. His purpose is to help people to understand images and their context because the society we are living in today is increasingly becoming more dependent on visual images to portray messages. I agree, today's society is highly depending on images to portray their message to the audience.

Quote #2: "From newspapers to billboards to school textbooks, viewers interpret what they see in the light of what surrounds or is referenced. There is no pure self-referential image free of context or unattained by other images" (Pg 1).
This is basically the definition of intertextuality, determining the meaning of an image by referencing other images that are related or are being put alongside of that image. Every time we see a rhetoric image, we reference our surroundings and what we already know. There is not a single image that can stand on its own or will create it's own opinions without the help of other images.

Quote #3: "Within the give-and-take of discussion, interpreters have the opportunity to clarify their purposes and provide evidence, and to learn open-mindedness in the light of other interpretations. Meanings are thereby enriched as intertextuality is engaged" (Pg 11).
Peoples' different interpretations of images and meaning only enriches the images even more. Using different kinds of intertextuality opens the door for more discussions and different opinions.

Questions: 
1. What is the difference between intertextuality and implications?
2. Do you have to use intertextuality to analyze all images?