Day 1: Its my first blog... this is a big deal.

Hi everyone!

My name is Nicole and I am in my fourth year of completing an honours specialization in English, a major in Spanish and a writing certificate. The purpose of this blog is primarily to track my experiences in analyzing visual rhetoric, but also to share images that I find inspiring, funny and provoking. As we are constantly bombarded with images in our daily lives, I think that it is important to take a moment to think about what we are seeing, and how it affects our mood, curiosity and thought process. The images I will post have done just that: made me think critically about them whether it be in their layout, placement or intended purpose.

This is an image I absolutely love:

http://pinterest.com/pin/126593439495340816/

I found this image on a website called Pinterest.com. I feel that this image really represents me well because it combines two things that I value: fitness and determination. First of all, fitness is extremely important to me, and a part of my life that I take very seriously. I think that it would be pretty accurate to say that I am determined to the point of being incredibly stubborn, and if there is something that I want to accomplish I will work hard to do so. I find the basic play on words in this image to be inspiring in its simplicity. 

The simplicity of the wording is what originally drew me to the image. The very last word the viewer is left with is "possible", and the resounding message that the reader can accomplish their goal (whether or not it be fitness related). In a larger sense, the short message is urging the viewer to look at images or words or circumstances for what they really are: if something seems impossible, look further into its components and it may very well be possible. 

The way the girl's facial expression is frozen mid movement, makes her look very intimidating, which definitely works in favour of the ad's motivational intention. The boxing gloves indicate that she is in the middle of exercising, and again with the shot being frozen in mid-movement, the viewer can really appreciate the force of her body. Also, her right had seems to be punching the word impossible, indicating that it can be broken apart into its components "I'm possible". 

One thing that could make this image slightly stronger, would be to change the colouring of the words possible and impossible, to further engage the reader's senses. 

Hopefully the images motivates you too!

Nicole Alexandra