The Royal Bee
Frances Park and Ginger Park
Analyzing Visual Images
–What is fore-grounded and in the background?
Song-ho and his classmates, the classroom, palace, or Song-ho's home
–Consider the “path” your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye first? Why is that element salient?
The People. They have very intricate clothing designs.
–What colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader?
Darker/warm colors. This gives a very emotional effect on the reader, it makes you feel for Song-ho.
–Consider the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed? How does this position you as a viewer?
The white space contains the text. It is a vast change in compared to the full bleed photos. The text changes page to page, so it helps the reader know where the illustrations end, and the full story behind.
–What is the “reality value” or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick figures?
There is a definite realistic feel to the photos, but the look painted which adds a level of abstraction.
–Are there any recurring patterns in the images?
Outfits are similar and the hats are repetitive on many pages.
–Are there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are these important to consider?
No there are not. It is important to consider due to the fact that these things can disrupt the story or confuse the reader.
–What is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors, contrast, gestures, lighting?
The artist focus' a lot on the lighting for faces. They put a big focus on emotion the characters hold and trying to make the mom seem as tired as she seems. The brush stokes are vertical, leading the reader to look at the photos upside-down.
–Are there any recurring symbols or motifs in the images?
The hats are repetitive, this shows that the privileged were wearing hats, whereas until the end Song-ho did not.
–Consider the style or artistic choices? Are the appropriate, and how do they add to the meanings of the picturebook?
We believe they add to the story, due to the fact this story takes place in the past, and puts the reader in that mindset. It also adds to the cultural feel of the story.
–How are the images framed? Are there thick borders or faded edges?
Thick, this line divides the images from the text.
–Consider the setting of the story. How is this realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically?
realistically. The photos take up a majority of the page and really give the reader a feel for where the story takes place and allows them to feel
–Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control?
Depending on the page, the photos change size due to where in the story the reader is. Some are close up, whereas others are far away. The school is usually bigger in comparison to his home.
Consider the viewers point of view. Do characters directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced? How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?
The viewers often are gazing upon what is going on in the story. There are a few pages where the characters look directly at the readers. Instead of seeming like a story we were just viewing, we felt apart of it.
Analyzing Visual Images Pt. 2
Where is the text: Always sectioned in a white block
Are the illustrations double page spreads, over lapping, ect.?
They are mostly 1 and 1/2 page spreads, some smaller. All focus on dark colors. Some photos are closer than others.