Analise MartinShields’ photograph of two young footballers. What are the denotations and connotations of this Image? You can write your answer in a descriptive prose or make a bullet list if you find that easier.
Connotations Denotations
The picture for me isn’t exceptional as I didn’t play football but I can see where it would bring back memories for some and the connotations that the image implies.
- The first condition I see is friendship. Two young boys going to play football their arms around there shoulders reinforcing the connotation of friendship.
- The black and white have connotations of time around 1960, but for me, this goes against the grain its a contradiction as the footballs the boys have are not from that period also the trainers are from the nineties.
- The waste ground as connotations of 1960 when the slums of the past were being demolished and replaced by modern housing, and at first view, you could believe that, but on further viewing, it becomes clear that the picture is relatively recent the lamp post keeps jumping out at me.
- The Boys are walking on the rough ground implying the road on the left is is probably still in use.
Denotations
- The picture shows spare ground prime land for developing.
- Old houses that look like they are to be demolished.
- A road to the left that looks disused.
- Two boys in football kit.
Exercise Six
Download from the OCA student site tear sheet of newspaper in which the Shields photograph was originally published.
“The first condition I see is friendship. Two young boys going to play football their arms around there shoulders reinforcing the connotation of friendship.”
- In the statement above there is an implied relationship to the article The bond that builds up between boys when brought upon council estates.
“The waste ground as connotations of 1960 when the slums of the past were being demolished and replaced by modern housing, and at first view, you could believe that, but on further viewing, it becomes clear that the picture is relatively recent the lamp post keeps jumping out at me. ”
- The statement above relates to the image as I have Identified the demolishment and the rebuilding of new homes as mentioned the article. The date is, of course, wrong by about 20 years but I have identified this in my text, see the bold above.
“The black and white have connotations of time around 1960, but for me, this goes against the grain its a contradiction as the footballs the boys have are not from that period also the trainers are from the nineties.”
- On viewing the article and seeing the connotations of the past then realising that it is a relatively recent Image has made me conflicted it is if the picture is trying to tell lies.
My perception of the image has changed only by the context the image, was used, and overall I think I did a pretty good job of deconstruction of the images without the benefit of the text. On a personal level, I don’t think the image, is the correct image for the article. The article was about starting a new refurbishing rebuilding and looking forward to the future with new homes and new starts for the tenants.
As I viewed the image, I was only sent back in time not forward it reminded me of the 60 and 70 when as a boy I remember old Houses being demolished Factories being knocked down and the waste ground everywhere for short times at least. On the other hand that could have been the intention of Shield reminding people that we can’t stay in the past, we must move forward leaving the past behind as a happy memory, removing the old to make way for the new.
OCA Photography Two. barry511915 