Case study of culture text analysis
I’ve chosen a picture by one of my favorite photographers, Annie Leibovitz, as a cultural text to analyze.
For my analysis, I’ve used several layers:
- Composition
- Space
- Depth
- Color
- Light
In my opinion, the analysis of cultural texts can aid Game Designers as it empowers them to craft captivating and genuine gaming experiences by comprehending and integrating cultural aspects like customs, icons, legends, and societal values. This approach ensures games resonate with a wide range of players, steer clear of stereotypes, and promote inclusivity, resulting in heightened player engagement and satisfaction.
Explanation: this is my subjective point of view of this picture.
The cultural text that I have analyzed is Annie Leibovitz’s ‘Wonderland.’ This picture is featured in her fashion album.
You can purchase her album from various sites, including Amazon.
The title ‘Wonderland’ is a nod to ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ capturing the whimsical, fantastical nature of photos where anything is possible.
Leibovitz masterfully melds light and shadow, blending fairy-tale fantasies with elements inspired by Renaissance painting. The nature of her work was also influenced by great artist photographers such as Richard Avedon, Helmut Newton, whose photos were powerful, sexy, contemporary, and bold.
Composition
In the composition of this picture, the rule of thirds (golden ratio) is evident where the area has been divided into nine parts and meticulously constructed.
Let’s first look at the right part of the photo, where we see a standing figure that takes up more than half of the space from the bottom vertically, i.e. ¾ of the image, and the second, or central figure, which takes up exactly the same amount of space, but from above. So in this place there is a kind of contrast, but also a symmetrical action, which introduces harmony. As these two characters in this photo are quite heavy by weight (in an artistic context) in perception, they need to be balanced and this is done with the help of a third figure that lies on the table.
We also notice a specific geometry here, specifically a reference to triangles, the characters are arranged in a triangle, and the cone on the character’s head on the left side strengthens this atmosphere even more.
We can conclude from this basic analysis that the primary character that the viewer should particularly focus on is Alice, who seems to be the character in the middle, it is also higher than the other characters, thus creating that visual interest and sense of balance. This sense of balance, however, goes a bit beyond the template, because high boots rather exude the lack of this balance. However, this was again balanced by the arrangement of the legs, which also closes in a stable triangle.
This composition is quite open, though the figure standing on the floor is tightly framed and lacks space from the bottom, which could suggest approaching a compositional error, i.e. the asymmetric frame of the photo. But again, this procedure it was balanced by positioning the feet like a ballerina, suggesting lightness, almost as if the character was about to fly away if she just dropped the broom from her hands. This creates a balanced feeling in the lower part of the image, but this treatment adds a sense of uneasiness. It can definitely be said that this was intentional.
We can also take note of the interplay between symmetry and asymmetry in this composition. Placing Alice in the middle, along with the central axis of the arch, creates a certain symmetry, as I have also described above. However, objects that are on the floor or industrial objects, of an industrial hall add an element of unpredictability to the image, which strengthens the surreal character of the whole scene. One could say that the image gains a slightly oneiric atmosphere thanks to these treatments.
This composition is also characterized by a wide perspective in the way of framing, it is not a portrait frame. Exaggerates the depth and slightly distorts the proportions, contributing to e.g. to a surreal atmosphere. This increases the sense of scale and makes that the scene in the photo appears larger than it actually is.
Despite Alice being positioned centrally, we do not see her entire face, we only see a scream, while the figure in front of the right has her entire face visible. These are two extreme emotions at the same time, which may suggest that perhaps Alice’s face is not what we think it is at first glance. We also see connotations between Alice’s skirt and the hair of the figure in front — that is, the similarities in color.
Space
It is worth noting the very well-thought-out use of negative space in this photograph, which refers to empty areas that are undeveloped or only minimally used to direct the viewer’s attention to Alice. Empty areas balance the frame, giving space for breathing, also emphasizing surreal elements. Alice has been integrated into the space between the wooden mixing paddle and the large pot, in a way it is her frame, i.e. also the composition — this emphasizes the role of Alice as the main character even more.
The space depicted in this photograph also contains symbolic elements, such as the etched stairs in the photo’s background. It suggests an exit, or a window that may symbolize a portal or gate to another world and is a compositional contrast to the stairs and the windows — they are even at the same geometric height, in the same plane.
This space also contains industrial elements, a factory or an industrial hall, although we may have the impression that it is a kind of surreal kitchen, which is also emphasized by the fan, which is a symbol of the heat that can prevail in the kitchen, or the melted frosting, which is partly visible on the table and under it. Bags that can contain ingredients needed in the kitchen. So are cakes, eggs, fruit, and a food processor with a bowl half filled with egg yolks.
Depth
The photograph displays three distinct depth layers. The first one describes the figure in the front of the frame on the right, the next layer is a table with figures, frosting, cakes, even a windmill and stairs, and the last layer is an industrial background.
The used geometry of the stairs gives a sense of creating depth not only when we look horizontally at the photograph, but also a sense of height, which is also nicely outlined by the reflection of light on the stairs that falls from the opening in the building, which is also part of the composition and symmetry.
Color
In the first place, the viewer’s attention is drawn to the three figures due to the use of a light color in the foreground, where the whole thing is rather gloomy, kept in browns and beiges. The white color makes the characters stand out from the background. We also see that the figures in front are very well lit. Noteworthy is the rear lighting, which was simulated by a slightly open window or a crack in the wall of the building. The whole scene seems to be dominated by the colors of rust, beige and brown, and yet the figures in white balance the entire space described in this photograph.
Next, note the reds that come in the form of fruit and the dishcloth under the table, which is nicely formed and looks fresh, which contrasts with the dirty cloth on the floor. It can be said that it is a symbol of abundance, splendor, or wealth. However, here, in this scene, I would go further with the analysis and find a correlation between passion and sensuality, which is undoubtedly emphasized by Alice herself through the appropriate arrangement of the lips, which may seem like a scream of passion. So red a nicely formed cloth subtly emphasizes a note of passion and desire, and a dirty one lying on the floor emphasizes desire, but in the negative, more hyperactive, impure, restless sphere, but also as something that can disappear in a moment, which it is visible in the look, the face of the first person from the front.
Light
The light in this photograph is surreal. We do not see the main source of light, but only that which comes through a hole in the wall— perhaps it is an offset part of a window or a connecting wall. This light cuts off the figures from the background. The frontal one, on the other hand, emphasizes the nature of all the main elements, including the characters. As we do not know where the front bright light comes from, we can be tempted to say that it was a deliberate procedure to create the illusion of sleep, mystery in correlation with back lighting. Analyzing further, we see a certain streak of light that is on Alice’s height. It may suggest a window in the roof, the beam of which is directed mainly at Alice, which can be seen by her light-up hair and the side of the body, clothes.
Of course, the incoming light in the upper right corner carries a certain symbolism as I mentioned earlier, i.e. a portal, a gate to another world. It can represent a metaphorical passage to another realm or signify the entrance to the fantastic world of Wonderland. This element adds depth and intrigue, thus inviting you to explore the unknown. The light that falls very hard on Alice can symbolize a kind of transformation — this is also manifested in her desire. This may represent a moment of awakening or a key turning point in the story described in this photograph.
