Text and Image

As a visual communicator text and imagery are very important aspects to consider in design, as together they communicate a meaningful message. With the use of text added to an imagery helps give the photograph a deeper meaning. Without the use of text integrated into the photographs, you're left in suspense making presumptions of the imagery not knowing the true meaning.  The use of text helps amplify the message your trying to communicate to viewers. 

http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/wearing-i-have-been-certified-as-mildly-insane-p78352

Gillian Wearing has a collection of photographs of people with  'Signs that say what you want them to say and not Signs that say what someone else wants you to say'. What I find so intriguing about these collection of photographs, is that she hasn't forced the public to write what she would like to photograph, she has let them write whatever thoughts or feelings their going through at that current time, making the text true and meaningful.

People make presumptions of people by the way they look and present them selves. The way Gillian Wearing has let the public write what their thinking makes you realise how many times we miss judge people by looking at someone.

With the photograph above of Gillian Wearing's work, without the text you would think this person is an ordinary man. The note saying 'I have been certified as mildly insane', gives you an indication this gentleman may suffer with mental health issues. With the use of the notes written by the person, helps you gain a true insight to the gentleman's character and personality.

With photography and imagery combined the text is not always true, sometimes text is used to make you see a photograph in a different light, than what it actually is to make it more intriguing and fascinating.

http://anthonylukephotography.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/photographer-profile-richard-avedon.html

With Richard Avedon's work there's no text giving you an indication about the person that's being photographed, all you have to go by is your own instinct making presumptions of this gentleman. I believe this is why text works much better with imagery, as it helps prevents the intentional message from getting lost. However sometimes the photograph will have no text, as the intention is for readers to interpret the photograph in their own way, leaving viewers in suspense.