The five 'C's - an
approach to visual texts
1. Context - When was this made? What is the subject matter?
What clues are given for a time frame? Consider clothing, implements - tools,
weapons, architecture, etc.
2. Characters - Who or what is portrayed here? Is it a person? Animal?
Symbol?
What clues are given about who/what they are?
3. Color - What colors, if any, are used? Do you think they were used
just for visual appeal?
What is the mood or tone established by these colors?
4. Composition - Look at the use of space. Is one image bigger than
another?
Is that to suggest a relationship? What kind of relationship? Is the entire
space used?
Why or why not? What is the foreground? The background? Do either suggest
importance?
5. Construction - Someone consciously constructed this image for a
purpose.
Who do you think made this? Why? For what audience? Who would connect with this
image?
Who would not?