Begin by considering the format of the images
and their placement in the picturebook
1.Where
is the text located? Are the images separated by borders or white space, Why?
I’m
analyzing the digital picturebook. The
text is located in the right side of the frame of the picturebook. The images
are not separated by thick borders in this book. Some images have thin, crisp black outlines,
others have small, crisp white lines. I
think these subtle and limited borders are present because it keeps true to the
simplified idea of children’s book. It
is also fairly minimalist in design, which I think links to the ideal of all
the characters being simple and relatable.
2.Are
the illustrations double page spreads, single page images, collages,
overlapping images, or portraits?
In
the online version we watched, the illustrations are on one page with the text
to the right. Very simple and direct.
3.Consider
the series of images in the picturebook. Do the images change over the course
of the book? Do they get bigger, smaller, change?
The images in the picturebook remain the
same, except in a few cases the frame is a bit smaller and possibly
square. The size change usually directs
the attention to the sole figure in the space that is in an emotional state,
like when the mother calls out for her son when he disappears off the bench.
Select an image from Voices In The Park to
consider. Use the following questions to guide your analysis. Take a
Screen Shot of the Image and embed the image in your blog.
1.What
is fore-grounded and in the background?
The foreground of the image
is composed of the beginnings of the path and the tree line with the grassy
park. The background is dominantly taken
up with the trees, forest in the back, and the two children’s figures are
central in the background along with the two playing dogs that are to the right
in the field.
2.Consider
the path your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye
first? Why is that element salient?
My eye is caught immediately
by the figures in the distance. The tree
line along the path leads the eye straight to them. It helps that the trees are dark in color
compared to the rest of the greenery of the park. The light color of the gravel path helps us
in our eye movement as well.
3.What
colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader?
The image is dominated by
brown trees and green grass. The trees
have a hint of orange and red, but still remain dark. The contrast in color has a huge effect on
the viewer, because it adds complexity and intrigue to the image.
4.Consider
the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed?
How does this position you as a viewer?
The white space around the
picture in the story acts like a framing element. The image has limited negative space due to
the layout of the elements. This cramped
style helps us feel equally covered by trees in a park and lends us to
emotionally connect to the picture.
5.What
is the reality value or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick
figures?
The illustrations are very
life-like, while keeping cartoonish qualities.
But they are not soo cartoonish as to become too simplified. They are just enough to keep the figures
interesting and relatable.
6.Are
there any recurring patterns in the images?
The recurring patterns in
this image are the trees that frame the pathway along the lane.
7.Are
there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are
these important to consider?
The only thing that sticks
out in the image to me is the odd tree on the left. It would have disrupted the symmetry of the
image, but the artist put the dogs in the same place on the opposite side of
the lane, which adds weight and equalizes the tree and balances the image
successfully.
8.What
is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors,
contrast, gestures, lighting?
The artist is trying to lead
our eyes back to the talking figures in the distance. They are the focus. The lines of the path and the tree trunks
lead our eyes straight to them. It also
helps that the grass surrounding them is a lush green, which helps them pop out
in the background. The trees cast some
shadow, but the bright grass overpowers those subtle shadows.
9.Are
there any recurring symbols or motifs in the images?
I think the recurring motif
in the image is carefree child-like spirit.
I think the message of the image is heightened by the carefree, playing
dogs in the right background. Innocence
and purity could be immersed in this idea as well.
10.
Consider the style or artistic choices? Are they
appropriate, and how do they add to the meanings of the picturebook?
I think the style adds to the
appropriateness of the book. The artistic style is very real, while maintaining
a free cartoon-like presence. It is very
successful in keeping the child-centered qualities of the book and its
messages.
11.
How are the images framed? Are there thick
borders or faded edges?
The images are framed with
tiny borders of white or black. A few
have faded edges. This keeps a loose
quality to the work and keeps it simple.
12.
Consider the setting of the story. How is this
realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically?
The setting of the story is
in a park. We see several characters
interacting in that space. We then get
previews from each of their separate stories and backgrounds. This is realized through the straightforward
use of images and character plot developments.
The innocence is more metaphorically represented through the charming
way the characters were drawn.
13.
Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are
certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power,
control?
Size and scale always is
deliberate. Elements are larger than
others to create visual power or emphasis.
This does add to the meaning and power of images, depending on what is
being sized largely. The oversized
picture of the mother when being described/viewed by the little girl helps
convey her mood of anger and dominance.
Size and scale is very important when necessary.
14.
Consider the viewers point of view. Do characters
directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced?
How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?
Characters don’t directly look at
the viewer. We see the characters at a
distance in most of the story. The characters
are close up in some cases, but only when they are in a state of heightened
emotion, like when the mother calls out in panic when her son disappears from
the bench beside her. Distance plays a
huge factor in how we perceive messages.
We either feel like we are a part of it, or that we are being held at
arms length. This happens in a variety
of ways in the picture book, and al very successfully.
Resources
No comments:
Post a Comment