A Picture Can Speak a Thousand Words

Manhattan, N.Y., May 26, 2009- When thinking about journalism it has reached different heights in today's world. It's not just about words anymore, but now it incorporates an important visual element. "A picture can speak louder than words."

I had never really thought about this before, but after this past semester at school and being here in New York this though of video and photography has grown. Pictures can speak louder to some when words mean very little. One thought that Andy shared was that not everyone in the world is literate, so pictures and video can communicate with those people when words cannot. Another complete audience is reached when visual elements are brought into the journalistic scene.

I took my first graphics class at school this past semester and began to learn a lot more about the importance of image and color. The term visual hierarchy taught me that color and different visual techniques can take a word or phrase and add emphasis to it in a whole new way. The photography and visual aspects help writers to increase their means of communication and relate to their viewers on new and deeper levels.

The importance of words still exists, but the detailed craftiness of picture, design and graphics add to that importance. Just as in forming an article, being intentional in making decisions is just as important with photography and design. The camera can capture the light in an image and part of the story that the writer possibly couldn't. At the same time, Kenny Irby said that images don't always bring across absolute truth; this is where I think words can come in and continue adding to the narrative found within the photograph.

When it comes to the bottom of journalism, with all aspects relationships are key, according to Kenny Irby. Relationships that are built with those we are interviewing, photographing and recording are crucial in journalism. Building relationships and trust will bring the written and visual portions to an entirely new level.

Irby gives four "C's" for journalists to think about in all aspects of their writing and visual elements: confidence, competence, creativity and courage. With these four elements, a writer's story can reach new levels and communicate more deeply.

I went to The Met on Memorial Day and really enjoyed the exhibits. While looking at the various photographs and paintings, I really enjoyed evaluating and interpreting them. It was awesome to look at the picture and depict its meaning and then looking at the description written next to it to compare. Being at this museum and looking at the different photographs and art helped me come to an even deeper understanding of just how powerful pictures are and the stories that can be portrayed through them.