Contrasts, Details and Meaning
Published by GHC • Jun 20th, 2007 • Category: Junior Bloggers, by Madelainaby Madelaina, age 11
During the week that GHC has been taking a well-deserved break (and I hope you had a fantastic time) I read over the blog that included the picture writing contest. That set me wondering, Every Picture Tells A Story…
“A picture says a thousand words” is a saying among many people. That quote is linked strongly to how “every picture tells a story.” If you look at a picture, you might see a family posing in front of a landmark, the breathtaking scenery of a mountain range, a trickling river or wild plains of grass and blossoms. But closely, there is a meaning hidden beneath the layers of colour and shapes.
Take a photo of a father and daughter for example. Imagine a carefree man seeming to have no troubles of work or stress, sporting a plump, happy-go-lucky toddler with the wind blowing her brown ringlets across her smile-wrinkled face. Behind them stands a fountain, no bigger than three metres, with historic designs and carvings in the stone and marble surface. The water trickles endlessly in sweet melody and dances lightly in the air as it spits out of the mouth before tumbling back into a pool of light sapphire.
That picture should keep you going for a while. First, you just think of them probably on a memorable holiday. But if you ponder deeper and think about writing an essay based on that picture, will you know enough to write?
The description above consisted of more than eighty words; that can give you a head start. Look at the situation at hand — you might want to know the reason for their holiday, when the time is, where the location is, and what season it is depending on the surroundings like flowering plants or migrating flocks in the background. Depending on what clothes they might’ve been wearing, you can guess the weather, and by the wind driving across the little girl’s face, you can presume the temperature. This can help you, as when you’ve found out all the details you will know how the weather is going to be, in case you planned a holiday there as well.
Famous photographers use different angles in their pictures, mainly to give detail, perspective, style or interest. Some might modify them on their computers, making them lighter, darker or monochrome (which means black and white). They might add shadows to give suspense, or lighten it up to fill it with pride and joy. Based on what you see, you can judge roughly what the main focus or intention it is that the photographer has brought to you. It is also the same thing when you are drawing or painting.
Some paintings appear abstract, straight, simple or detailed. Abstract art can be considered as similar to what you call slang when you are concerning speech, but there are times when abstract art contains more meaning than highly detailed ones, like how “damper” means bread in Australian slang, has it got anything to do with “damp”?
As you know, many creations are given names and they can appear to be cryptic at times. Names cover some of the meaning of the picture, or a fraction of it. Some names can leave you to think about what the picture represents, and it takes you on a long journey on the Train of Thoughts.
So you see, one simple picture of a tree can set you off wondering about it, and judging by the surroundings and colours, it gives you an idea of the situation. This sort of reflects on daily life; sometimes, nothing is what it appears to be, but look closely and you can discover what is. In other words, you can realize the different aspects of life and think on the good and positive side. Think happy if you’ve got a bad mark on a test, tell yourself you can do better next time, and see the “F” written on the page as something you want to and *will* beat. Be curious, as curiosity can lead to learning more.
It is hard to keep on track all the time, as your mind is a fascinating structure of your body. But, there are times when true meanings are for you to discover, and what you first see is just a clue. And I advise you not to stare at a flower bud for four hours!
Editor’s Note: Although Madelaina’s latest post isn’t about horses, we thought it was very insightful and might inspire some to participate in the “Every Picture Tells a Story” contest (and of course we found a way to include a horse). ;)
Thanks Madelaina!
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THis is a great, wise post! Great Job Madelaina!
You did such a great job on this blog!! You are really an inspiration to me!!
Good job, good job, good job! I read the whole thing. And I loved it. Such a good article! Fabulous!
You’re an inspiration to me also. This blog is extraordinary. I’ll never think of a photo the same way again. Great job!
You inspired me and did so well on this blog! Good job! And I promise you I won’t stare at a flower bud for four hours! lol
Thank you everyone and GHC for the picture, it looks great!
Madelaina:how do you do such amazing blogs!?!? it makes me think about what your saying,and it also makes me slightly annoyed! this is amazing,Keep up the good work!
I agree with Animalsrkool! I’m so jealous of you! When you write it makes me think of you as an adult who wrote that and not a kid! That’s good! Your blogs are awesome keep up the good work!
I agree with Animalsrkool and Marisa! Your blogs are just so great.
Thanks guys. All you have to do to write something good is feel like doing it, then that’s it. :) I’ve read your stories and I can tell you will all be great authors one day!
That makes sense,i really felt like doing that blog on partnership,and that was probly my best one,thanks!
It was a very good one too Animalsrkool. Keep it up!
:D Thank You :D
This is a pretty cool blog! You totally changed my perspective of pictures! And since I love photography this will help when I take photos too! Thanks Madelaina!