Photographic Message

what does the image  denote / conote ?

Roland Barthes - photographic message - VLE and printout in book
The Rhetoric of the Image
(the meaning behind it )

camera angles
backgrounds
iconography (ie flags)

emmission - the image is being made
transmission - the image is being seen
reception - where the image is seen

trick effects     photoshop, creates a new meaning/image
poses/objects   contrasts, angles
syntax             layout, text+photos
photogenia      shows what cant be written

The image is denoting two men stood in front of a row of flags, we can also see a symbol Camp David between them. The photograph is connoting that these two powerful men are working together, this is shown by the way the flags are all integrated on the stage and in the way the united front is shown by the symbolism in the Camp David emblem, the rope surrounding the plate resembles to us the two countries being united.
However the two men both want to be seen as working together their alone-ness is highlighted by the way they have been shown on different sides of the frame. The words chosen can be analysed themselves; they are going to go to war in order to stop death and destruction which is a juxtaposition of its self.
The low camera angle elevates the two men and makes the audience look up to them, furthermore the facial expressions have been chosen specifically to connote different messages; one of agression and commanding power, another slightly more neutral expression which shows calm reserve.