Words,Text, && FONT!

In this class, I am really starting to notice how text and font actually does change an image and the message. There are many meanings we can interpret from a font alone. The way something is written or even how BIG something is written can display a certain mood or feeling from an artist. When I personally look at a word I think of how I feel about it, versus if I see it in a special font or enlarged, I feel as if I am almost forced to understand where the artist is coming from. Fonts can attract attention and keep audiences interested. For example, in the movie about Helvetica they explained how it was used in a political point of view. Even in an everyday example such as a text message from a friend can be looked at. If I have a friend that sends a text that says “Hi Shayla” I would just take it as them saying hi. If I was to receive a text that read “HI SHAYLA!!!” in all caps, I would think they are yelling, or even excited to talk to me. The text fonts just make everything seem more interesting, because we all know, words are the ultimate distraction.

Awkward much??

This picture is not as awkward as it is "creepy". Although they did follow many "traditions" that we have as a society, such as the mother sitting in the picture and the men standing, there are many aspects of this picture that does not "fit" in with what a family picture "ought" to be like. For example, all of the facial expression from everyone are not suitable for a family picture. The father appears to be very angry, while the mother looks a little scared, maybe they were just in an argument. The daughter seems to be nervous, as if her brother might try something with her. Also, the father's body language is not one that you typically see in a family portrait. His hands on the hips supports the being angry idea mentioned before. No one is smiling nor happy to be there taking that picture. If I was the photographer, I sure would feel "awkward" taking this photo. =)

LIFE

When I saw this picture I knew I had to write about it! I love this. I love the contrast used. The all black everything allows us to really appreciate the light, which is emphasized by the smoke from the man’s cigar. The balance is above the horizon because to me, there is much more going on above the central axis. All, the talking (if any) going on is above, and also the gestures, and the eye contact between the two individuals in the picture. Because the viewers see everything heads on, this picture Is in the first perspective. All the textures in this picture look “smooth” except for the smoke. In my mind I ran with the smoke idea. Maybe it symbolizes a heated discussion. The smoke represents intensity in the two’s conversation. By the woman’s body language, I see her taking advice while the man goes on and tells her how he feels or even recommends a different approach. I would say this picture gives off natural lighting because of the lights on the bottom of the stage shows the shadows of the people. All in all, this picture may give a numerous amount of feelings, or concepts, it depends on the persons looking at it.

Comics && the messages they give...

I personally found this comic amusing because some of us (including myslef) go through this same situation with our parents. It's very self explanitory once reading and veiwing it. A woman is on the phone with her mother explaining that yes she did receive all of her emails, which seem to be many due to the knife she stuck through her laptop. Even though the woman does not physically show her annoyance with her mother, the knife symbolizes her feelings for her; her initial reaction.
The tonal range in this particular comic is from the darkest dark (the knife) to the lightest light (window). This also allows us to focus on the main points that this comic was trying to pertray. For example the light shining on the woman on the phone, to the knife going through the computer. These are the two main components in this comic which get the point across. Everything in the background becomes irrelevant and we can do without actually.
The lines used to draw this comic give off a "fuzzy" texture to me. It does not lead to a depressing thought, but to me it makes me feels as if I am in the room with her and can feel how annoyed she really is. This also can have something to do with the perspective point. This to me, is more of a 2 point angle, the artist/comic allowing us to see this from an angle. Which like I said offers the sense of being there with her.
All arouind I found this comic pretty funny. =)

Love

To me, LOVE does not have a specific image that goes with it, simply a feeling. Love is just the linguistics. Just like McCloud says, we addd our own sensory to things. So, when I thought of love I immediately thought of all the "things" that I have love for. I love people, places, and even things. I could simply post a picture of my boyfriend, my car, or even pizza (all things in which I "love"). But, I chose to display a picture that embodies EVERYTHING that I think love represents.
I chose a picture of my mom and I. This picture is not only one of the people I love the most in this world, but also because we look like we're showing love back to each other. From our body language, to spacing between each other, this picture represents love to me...my mom. =)




PICTURE TAKE TWO:
To me this picture represents the Holidays. It displays everything the Holiday Season is to my family. Every time I look at this picture when I'm away, it gives me something to look forward to when I go home.
Because we assign meanings to things, as a Culture we see an object and assume one thing about it. For example, I look at the hat in this picture and auto think "Christmas." For someone who never heard of Santa Claus before and does not know that he wears one, would just assume my mom is wearing a red hat. This makes the red hat an icon. As a group or culture, we have given that hat a meaning therefore we all think similar thoughts when looked at.
All the happieness in this picture is how the Holidays are viewed in my eyes, everyone "joyful" and cheerful. The holidays bring everyone closer together, hence the reason my mom and I are sitting so close to each other. =)

The.Body.&.The.Visual.

The shapes and lines I drew thouroughly expressed and matched the music i chose to listen to. I feel as if the images we see in our heads go hand in hand with our musical choices. Whether those images are pictures, shapes, object, or even a person. The best way I felt to do this was to simply close my eyes for no distractions and see what my mind and hands come up with.
I listened to pop music and my box was not really filled. There were lots of circles and a couple of stars. I felt pretty happy and "bubbly" when listening so, I'm not too sure if they connected. My gospel box started with little lines, then gradually became larger lines. To me this related because that is how many Gospel songs form, very slow at first and "loud" at the end.
My rap box was totally different from all other boxes. It was filled to the maximum with lines everywhere! I found myself constantly drawing. Looked extremely more passionate than the other lines. Finally my R&B box was almost filled. It consisted of small lines and hearts. Very suttle and calm. Throughout this exercise I really feel like I connected with the music and images relate to not only music, but sound in general.

Talking to strangers

Personally, I have no problem talking to a stranger(kind of weird I know but...hey).
So I decided to talk to someone when I went home for the weekend at a bar. I walked up and met my cool new friend Dave. All I did was introduced myself and the conversation began. It was not hard or even akward. After a ten minute conversation, I learned that Dave wasn't from my hometown, that he worked in the music business, and that he liked my freckles. =) I told him to facebook me b/c I didn't want to give a complete stranger my number. =)