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Leanne M Photography
Semester B: Discourse Work
Semester B: Discourse Work
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Monday, 21 April 2008
Semiotics is the study of signs which is a fascinating subject, especially when living in a world full of signs as we do today. After reading the book, “The Basics: Semiotics”, I felt that this quote best described what it is in it’s simplest form:
“Semiotics involves the study not only of what we refer to as ‘signs’ in everyday speech, but of anything which ‘stands for’ something else. In a semiotic sense, signs take the form of words, images, sounds, gestures and objects.” 1
The whole idea and study of semiotics is based upon the works of Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Peirce, who are seen as the co-founders of semiotics. Although their theories on the subject differ slightly, their work has been grouped together to form a more overall study of semiotics. It’s something of which I think is useful, especially within photography. After looking at semiotics, you do become more aware of what you see and also how it can influence you into what you include within your own photographs.
Lastly, I found this another interesting point from the book:
“To decline the study of signs is to leave to others the control of the world of meanings which we inhabit” 2
Even if we choose not to see these meanings and signs, they will still be there and we will still take them in, just subconsciously rather than being fully aware of what we see and hear.
Here is a video I found on YouTube quite useful as an introduction to semiotics. It looks at both Saussure and Peirce and gives an overview as what semiotics actually is.
1. Chandler, D. (2007). The Basics: Semiotics. 2nd ed. London: Routledge , pp. 2.
2. Chandler, D. (2007). The Basics: Semiotics. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, pp 10.
1 comments
Semiotics
Semiotics is the study of signs which is a fascinating subject, especially when living in a world full of signs as we do today. After reading the book, “The Basics: Semiotics”, I felt that this quote best described what it is in it’s simplest form:
“Semiotics involves the study not only of what we refer to as ‘signs’ in everyday speech, but of anything which ‘stands for’ something else. In a semiotic sense, signs take the form of words, images, sounds, gestures and objects.” 1
The whole idea and study of semiotics is based upon the works of Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Peirce, who are seen as the co-founders of semiotics. Although their theories on the subject differ slightly, their work has been grouped together to form a more overall study of semiotics. It’s something of which I think is useful, especially within photography. After looking at semiotics, you do become more aware of what you see and also how it can influence you into what you include within your own photographs.
Lastly, I found this another interesting point from the book:
“To decline the study of signs is to leave to others the control of the world of meanings which we inhabit” 2
Even if we choose not to see these meanings and signs, they will still be there and we will still take them in, just subconsciously rather than being fully aware of what we see and hear.
Here is a video I found on YouTube quite useful as an introduction to semiotics. It looks at both Saussure and Peirce and gives an overview as what semiotics actually is.
1. Chandler, D. (2007). The Basics: Semiotics. 2nd ed. London: Routledge , pp. 2.
2. Chandler, D. (2007). The Basics: Semiotics. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, pp 10.
1 comments