Mr V Mashige

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ACTIVITY 5.3

Having study-read section 5.2.5 in the prescribed book, analyse

figure 4.7 (Paralympic games in Beijing) in study unit 4 and describe

how many of the codes that apply to volume duality and graphic depth

factors are used to create three-dimensional depth in the photograph.

The swimmer and her coach represent positive volume in that their appear-

ance has substance Ð they can be touched. The roof in the background re-

presents negative volume or space. The most obvious graphic factors con-

tributing to the creation of depth are the relative size of the two people in

relation to the venue, as well as the overlapping of planes. Height in plane is

the third graphic factor that contributes to readers' depth perception, which is

combined with linear perspective. Notice how the vertical and horizontal lines

converge and seem to move closer to one another in the distance. The fact we

can see much more detail in the foreground (eg the people and the patterns on

the roof), which diminishes in the distance, indicates that aerial perspective

also applies. Although the camera's position and angle are below eye level and

are tilted upwards (worms'-eye view), a vanishing point is not clearly created.

There is not clear evidence of cast or attached shadows either (probably be-

cause Notan lighting was used).

5.2.6 Area orientation as a code of form

Aspect ratio (the height and width of a photograph, film, or television screen, or the

form or shape of a photograph) and size of the objects or people are two structural

codes of form which a communicator can select or manipulate.

Although traditional television screens have a 3:4 aspect ratio, note the different aspect

ratios used in the different figures in the study guide and the...