For this exercise I have taken four photographs to show:

• An oppressive, cluttered space
• An open, honest, simple space containing one intriguing item
• A stark, empty hostile space
• A warm, friendly cosy space

For each of the photos, we are to consider how they feel and what meanings are implied. If they are not quite doing what was intended, the exercise is to analyse why this might be the case.

Image 1 – An oppressive , cluttered space

I was out walking in the village and happened to peer into the barn and saw this very cluttered interior – it was perfect for this exercise. The feeling is very definitely oppressive, cluttered and possibly a bit threatening. To make the content visible I’ve adjusted the exposure, but in practice it is very dark space.

The image works at the literal level because:

• there are a lot of different items in the shot
• the items are not stored in any identifiably organized way
• there is a mix of colours
• some bags (to the right) have split open and the content is spilled onto the floor
• Many of the items are old and could be in a state of disrepair
• the ceiling is low
• very little light

In terms of any meaning conveyed, I think that this image could have a number of possible meanings attached, including:

• The age of the items and their disrepair could signify that the owner is both old and struggle financially or old and struggling physically to maintain his/her equipment
• That the owner, young or old, couldn’t care about the equipment or signify they don’t care in general
• That it is a good place to hide something; a treasure or a body (!)
• That the clutter and oppressiveness have caused normal humans to abandon it which has made room for animals or ‘hidden’ characters

If I were to use this scene in a movie, it would be to figuratively show the clutter of a long life and how by holding onto everything life can become oppressive.

Image 2 – An honest, open space containing one intriguing item

OK, this was not my most original image but I really struggled with this one.

I think that the point of showing an open, honest simple space with one intriguing item is to set up the feeling in an audience that something is not quite right even though all appears to be normal. The one item that doesn’t fit should create a sense of dis-ease or suspicion that something is not quite right.

I don’t watch horror movies but I would imagine that a shot of the interior of a house, for example in the sitting room with everything calm and in place would be disturbed by a creepy looking doll lying on the floor or sitting on the couch grinning stupidly which would be the overt way of using this type of image to indicate that something is wrong. A more subtle way would be a perfectly modern and clean kitchen with everything packed away and just a pen lying on the counter. The pen would not look threatening but it would be at odds with the rest of the scene.

At first I thought my image didn’t work terribly well because I saw the intriguing item as the trigger for the audience to work out that something was wrong and the result would be bad in some way. However the intriguing item can also be the trigger for something humorous to happen.

My image works at the literal level because:

• The colours are bright
• The image of a calm garden with not much happening
• The yellow and blue of the Minion stands out from the green grass but matches the dandelions
• It’s ridiculous that a soft Minion would be out in the garden
• There’s not much else to notice if it weren’t for the Minion

In terms of meaning, the image could convey:

• The ridiculousness of the situation that can only lead to more silliness or the start of an absurd adventure
• Loss and abandonment (of a life, a hope, a dream, a Minion!)
• That even the most unexpected of characters can step out and discover the world or themselves

Image 3 – A stark, empty hostile space

This image has a very clinical and functional feel to it and there is nothing inviting about the space. There is something mildly disturbing about the image.

This image works because:

• It is devoid of people
• The lights are harsh with a lot of reflection
• The floor is a cold, hard shiny blue
• There are no soft edges anywhere

It could mean:

• What ever goes on in the rooms off from the corridor is done without compassion, something very functional
• It could represent the coldness or harshness of the people who work in the building

 

Image 4 – A warm, friendly cosy space

This image makes me feel relaxed and comfortable and that all is at peace with the world.

Why this image works:

• The softness of the duvet and soft toys
• The sleeping girl
• No sharp lines anywhere
• Soft light but not so soft that you can’t see what’s going on

What this image could mean:

• A peaceful and content environment
• No conflict
• A feeling that the world is safe

I’m not convinced that this image was completely successful. Although it is a clearly cozy situation, I’m not sure there is enough in the image to make it a cosy space. I would need to show more of the space and less of the person.