Semiotics

Semiotics is to do with the use of visual codes. Signing is vital to human existence as it underlines all forms of communication.

A denotation is what is literal and a connotation is what we associate with an object or person. for example the denotations and connotations of the heart are

Denotation

• Blood                                                             You could say that the heart denotes/connotes....
• People                                                            The heart has denotations/connotations of....
• Life
• Medicine

Connotation

• Love
• emotion
• Strength
• Passion
• Valentines day
• Bravery

Other terms relating to images

• Cropping- cutting out parts of the picture. This means it has been done for a reason and could influence your view of the image.

• Framing - Positioning the focal point within a natural frame e.e buildings, trees, window frames

• Depth - foreground, middle ground and back ground which are important in terms of texture and makes the image have a 3D effect. 

Semiotics in moving image

• Tilt the camera up (low angle shot) indicates power and authority.
• Tilt the camera down (high angle shot) indicates small or vulnerable.
• A close up (standard, big or extreme) indicates intimacy, insight or emotion. 
• Long shot gives context, scope or used for establishing
• Fade in or out (transitions) indicates a start, beginning, opening or the close, ending or conclusion.