semiotics

Semiology, or semiotics, is the idea of a science of signs and originates from comments in Ferndinand de Saussure's general theory of Linguistics(1916) but was not developed further until after the second war Saussure stated:

" it is... possible to conceive of a science which studies the role of signs as part of social life. it would form part of social psychology, and hence of general psychology. We shall call it semiology (from the greek semeion 'sign') it would investigate the nature of signs and the laws governing them. Since it does not yet exist, one cannot say for certain that it will exist. But it has a right to exist, a place ready in advance. Linguistics is only a branch of this general science. the laws which semiology will discover will be laws applicable in linguistics, and linguistics will thus be assigned to a clearly defined place in the field of human knowledge". (Saussure 1983, 15-16; Saussure 1974, 16)

Apart from Saussure other key academics working in in this field where Umberto Eco(b 1932) Jacques Lacan (1901-1981) however Semiotics only became a major approach in Art and photography Studies in the late 1960's, due in part to the work of Roland Barthes(1915-1980) with the translation of his popular collection of essays entitled Mythologies(Barthes 1957) Barthes observations of different cultural phenomena made him propose that everyday culture can be analysed in terms of language of communication both visual and verbal. Barthes integrally associated myths or culturally specific discourses.

In terms of photography Barthes takes the image away from the Artist and makes it the property of the viewer. For the record I have another 2 years to understand why this highly subjective viewpoint is relevant. I was told recently by an art intellectual friend that I should embrace semiotics and any other type of psychoanalysis in order to A complete this course and B to ascertain the level and success that I strive for. And even though I understand this viewpoint, I find it bemusing that a person with seminally no photography skill has made rules, don't get me wrong i like Barthes writing. But struggle to see the point. Why critique for critique sake. I freely admit it is important to understand the concept of semiotics, i just do not know if it will change the puntum of the pictures I take.

after all to quote cs lewis

Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.

for the record please do not misunderstand my viewpoint I recognize the importance of semiotics especially with regards to advertising and the strategies that are used in order to market consumer items to us. The use of the signifier or message portrayed by the image, and the signified the implication behind that image. To give an example please see image below.

soco ad

The advert above is a Southern Comfort the caption reads Southern Comfort between friends

making the (signifier) in this image the group of friend obviously enjoying each other company sharing laughter and stories over a glass or two of Southern Comfort , what is interesting to note is that in the image no single individual in the ad is holding a glass, however the bottle of Southern Comfort in the foreground of the advert send a message the (signifier) in that if you drink southern comfort you will have great friends and great time..

DreadiKnight