Photo- Visual Literacy

Eshet-Alkalai points out to the shift from alphabetic literacy to Photo-Visual Literacy, in which icons have become the new letters. This Photo-Visual Literacy is based on the notion of using vision to think.

If we look for example at our computer desktop, at out car panel or at the cellular phone, weíll see that they all give us iconic information. These photo ñvisual signs serve as shortcuts for action and do away with the mediation of the cognitive skill of deciphering and understanding the alphabetic symbols.

Photo Speaks A Thousand Words

Each one of these photos speaks volumes. The range of emotions and thoughts that run through the mind of any person who views these photos varies. No one person has the exact same feelings as any other person who views these photos. One person may feel a stronger connection towards a photo of D-day, well another may feel more strongly about the picture of famine in Africa. The fact that everyones emotions varie is proof that more time is needed to be spent on photo-visual literacy, and the effects it has in everyday society.

Since the days of early man we have identified pictures with specific meaning. It seems more emphasis needs to be applied to photo visual literacy seeing how it connects with us much easier. Proof of this is the fact it was one of the first forms of written communication. This is represented above with the Egyptian Hieroglyphics and there translated meaning.

We read with shapes not with letters.

http://www.1000topics.com/jumbled-letters-still-readable/

Above is a link that shows how the human mind can still read a completely misspelled paragraph. This shows how the human brain through years of learning how to spell, read, and write sticks with basic function of shape to interpret the meaning. This is a perfect example how we identify more with shape then a specific letter.

Why is visual literacy important?

We live in an increasingly visual culture. We are surrounded by images everywhere in our lives. By looking at and studying photographs with your students, you will help them better understand the complexities of their world.Visual literacy is defined as the ability to understand communications composed of visual images as well as being able to use visual imagery to communicate to others. Students become visually literate by the practice of visual encoding (expressing their thoughts and ideas in visual form) and visual decoding (translating and understanding the meaning of visual imagery).It is important that students learn to recognize and understand the often-complex messages of photographic images.

HOW TO READ THE PICTURE

How to read a picture? That seems very pretentious. A picture may be read for itself alone as clearly as a printed page. Look at this link below.
http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/visual/diglitnews.pdf
What you have discovered?

I-Phone Words Not Needed

The I-Phone is a perfect example of how new technology is evolving to incorporate Photo- visual literacy. People are now capable of finding desired applications on there phone by simply looking for the specific picture and pressing it. The symbol for safari( Internet ) is the compass, this symbol is so well known with Mac ( Macintosh Computers ) users that they no longer need the word internet or safari they simply have to find the picture. This is perfect for communicating with people from all different ethnic backrounds because most can identify with a picture like the compass and understand its meaning.

Technorenaissance: the new literacy