How text can change our first impressions and understanding of an image.

The meaning of an image can be misinterpreted if the viewer is not provided with the necessary written information corresponding to the image. Elements of images without text which can lead them to being misinterpreted are, firstly if the image has a very small amount of detail, an unfamiliar image which has been taken away from its usual context or an image which been cropped down from its original size and so allowing the viewer to only see a small section from the whole image.

By not providing information about an image can be done on purpose to make people look deeper into the image and allowing for each individual to decide their own interpretation of what is being portrayed.

However the use of text with an image can also conjure up misinterpretations and therefore can affect the message in which the image is portraying. Where an image alone could have no obvious meaning and so does not communicate a message to the viewer, by adding text can instantly change ones impression.

An example of how a plain image can be influenced when a simple piece of text is present, is; The Treachery of images by Rene Magritte, which include, ‘This is not a pipe’ and ‘This is not an apple’

With a first glance, this painting looks very simple with just a single unanimated object on a plain background, and so giving no sense of emotion or thought provoking insight. However when you notice the writing underneath the object, ‘this is not a pipe’ the viewer starts to look more deeply into the image and starts to question what in fact the image is of.

“How people reproached me for it! And yet, could you stuff my pipe? No, it's just a representation, is it not? So if I had written on my picture "This is a pipe," I'd have been lying!” ¹

These painting therefore caused debate due to the interaction between the image and the text.

Another example of how text can influence an image is if it is purposely placed to force the viewer to either look at certain areas first or to almost ignore areas and to highlight others to ensure the message is obvious and so an almost superficial communication.

  [1]   Torczyner, Harry. Magritte: Ideas and Images. p. 71.