Studium/Punctum

Within photography there are many meaningful messages. The theory "Studium", meaning something cultural, that is fascinating and "Punctum", referring to what is prominent from the image.  The principal piece of the design draws the viewers attention to make them stop and think. Many photos have a story that is shocking or bizarre. This is dependant on what the viewer perceives and how they de-code the story.  This is achieved by pin-pointing the de-coding and identifying the message occurrring, etc.

Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus - A young man in curlers at

 home on West 20th Street, ...

trans.ilga.org

Here the photographer Diane Arbus takes a photo of a very "UNATTRACTIVE" transvestite, having strong bone features and a long face instantly draws your attention as the viewer. This photo would  attract instant attention for this time period which is most likely to be the 1960s- 80s evidenced by the type of rollers in the mans hair. The story is of a man openly happy to have his photo taken, portrayed by how he is posing,with a fag hanging from his fingers. This bizarre, unconventional photo attracts the viewers attention with its eccentric, unattractive image.

Diane Arbus

thecesarsalad.blogspot.com

A elderly, middle-class couple overwhelmed at the sight of a giant in their own living room. The main Punctum would be, how come there is a large man standing in an old couples home?. The couple are both presented as very respectable and clean cut. The giant is quite opposite, scruffily dressed. This helps makes him instantly noticeable to the audience. Normally in the 1950s  such large people were rarely heard of and would be considered as a 'Freak'. Here, Arbus demonstrates Punctum in a humorous scene, whereas Studium would be demonstrated with a charming scene of an elderly couple in their own home greeted by a BFG.