Visual analysis - Nick Knight

As part of the creative concept we have been looking focusing on 'how to visually analyse', thinking more on how visuals and images are used to communicate messages, what these messages are and how we as the audience read into them. There are three stages of visual analysis, description, formal analysis and deeper interpretation, using these three stages the task I was given was to analyse, deconstruct and interpret a fashion photograph.

With each stage the analysis builds more, deepening and become more complex; the way I think of it is to imagine that I was describing the image to a blind person with each stage you add a different layer. Starting with the description where it is in it's simplest form focusing on key information within the image such as where the model is standing etc, the formal analysis covers the qualities of the visual such as colour, line, contrast, composition and finally the deeper analysis what you feel from the image, the message it is portraying, the atmosphere and if theres any meaning within the image.

The photograph that I had to analyse was by photographer Nick Knight, heres the analysis I created using these 3 key stages;

Description-

A photograph of a woman standing slightly off centre to the right hand side of the frame, we can see her full height with one leg slightly forward and her right arm raised to her head with the left down by her side holding material, her gaze down towards the left but not really focused on anything in particular. She is standing in an anonymous space that is bare apart from a table and chairs to the left of the woman just behind her making her the focal point of the shot; there is a cloth placed over top of the table with two, three tier cakes placed on top with one just in front of the other while the cake in the background has been positioned on a cake stand so that it can still be seen but adds layering. Apart from this the rest of the pictoral space is empty, with no back drop to the image. The model is wearing a dress and veil which goes down to just below her knees there is also a decorative piece around her neck.

Formal analysis-

The image contains strong, solid colours mainly featuring a monochrome colour palette, with black being the predominated colour within the shot, being used for the key elements such as the dress which the model is wearing and the table and chairs to her side. In contrast to this they have incorporated a selection of pastel tones in a subtle way, mainly featuring pink tones in particular adding warmth to the otherwise shadowy image. The selection of pastel colours has been used in small amounts but breaks up the image giving it a more visual depth. Within the image there is more of a linear aspect with some slight painterly elements; these linear aspects provide a structural feel to the image with some of the strongest lines in the image being featured on the model, with the design of the dress having an architectural sense to it although this is also represented in the two cakes on the table next to the model, versus the more painterly factors than can be seen in a small quantity such as the veil and the head of the model where there is a whimsical feel. It also appears that the models body has been manipulated to make her the focal point of the images, this relates back to the linear aspect. There is a very simple composition to the image with a plain background not taking any focus away from the objects/ model in the foreground.

Deeper analysis/ semiotic analysis-

Within the image there is quite a negative, dark mood being reflected but with the image featuring a young woman we wouldn’t stereotypically think this. There is some suggestion that she has gone through a heartbreak from the inclusion of a veil and the two cakes by her side which we usually picture as being associated with brides and weddings; this could be telling us a story of the young woman being left at the altar on her wedding day. With the pairing of the black dress mixed with the veil it could also be seen and suggest a sense of mourning; dating back to the Victorian era and before this woman in mourning and especially widows would cover their heads with caps or ‘veils’ as a mark of respect and conservatism. There is also an overpowering darkness sensation being implied through the lighting used within the image, this could give the interpretation that everything is all collapsing on her at once and she in struggling to cope, going back to the idea that she has been left at the altar (where she thought that she had found the one) it now almost seems as though there is nothing left, the perception of losing hope. This use of lighting also creates quite a sinister, mysterious and angry atmosphere, this conflicting thought between whether it is a bridal inspired image or is there a deeper meaning.

Conclusion-

In conclusion when I was first given this image to analyse the thought that came to mind almost straight away was ‘bridal’, this was from the veil and the inclusion of the two cakes but after looking at it again it was clear that there is a deeper meaning to the image almost a ‘depressed bride’; this can be seen through the contrast of light and dark and also through the inclusion of the pastel shades against black, which is the predominant colour throughout the whole image, including the main focal point of the dress draws you in as soon as you catch a glimpse of the image.

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