How to Convey Meaning in Your Photos

[Vikdaddy]

I'm a communicator by profession, and I studied the subject throughout college and university. One of the fundamentals of communications studies is the meaning of 'signs' - better known as 'semiotics'. Signs are anything that communicates a meaning or emotion to us.

This is also an essential concept in good photography. We can get hung up on composition and technique, but what's more important than the message you're trying to convey? This article has reminded me of its importance; I hope you find it useful.

http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/how_to_convey_meaning_in_your_photos/

[Graham Harcombe]

Good reading, thanks Vik. Provokes a lot of thought.

[Rose]

A great article Vik thank you!

[Judith]

This is really interesting.
I am well aware of the use of symbols/signs in other art forms but it's interesting to apply this on photography.

[KB]

Great share, thanks Vik. I'm also a fellow communicator, so appreciate it that bit more :)

[Marinade Spatula]

Very interesting and I while I liked the quote "semiotics tells us things we already know in a language we can't understand.' I didn't think it applied here. Having done anthropology and seen the different styles of photography from around the world here and elsewhere, this all makes sense to me. It's what can make the difference between a descriptive or decorative photograph and one that is a work of art.

[Mimo]

Thanks for posting! I am a total believer in photos carrying messages or being vehicles for communication.

[Starfisher]

Fun to see Im not the only one fond off bogs, the photo on the blog looks like one I have in my facebook taken in the local bog...lol

[Quinn]

Interesting subject - thank-you for posting!

[Dennis Dantic]

@vikdaddy Thanks for this. Very interesting and thought provoking.

[Yoella Offir]

Thanks for the article and it looks interesting. It is a subject I think about a lot and intend to learn more deeply as I get a little better in technical matters of photography. I do not like the caption of this article though since it suggest a kind of formula or direction for creating instant meaning in photos. I do not believe I this. Of course there are also all sort of communications in photos even in those who lack any aesthetic , and the meaning depends also on the context: art, news, memory, documentation etc.

[Vikdaddy]

@yoelao Yeah you're right it does; it should be something like 'why meaning is important in your photography', or something similar.

[The Steve From 2010]

That was nice, ta @vikdaddy