A word about images
Written by Lynne M. Baab
Demand images
When the person is looking into the camera, it creates a kind of demand, because the person's gaze "demands that the viewer enter into some kind of imaginary relationship with him or her." (Kress and van Leeuwen - 1)
Offer images
Kress and van Leeuwen use the term "offer" to describe photos in which the people look away from the camera, indicating that these photos propose or suggest something rather than insisting. Also, photos of a person's upper body or head communicate more intimacy than photos that include the whole body.
1. Kress, G., & van Leeuwen, T. (1999). Representation and interaction: Designing the position of the viewer. In A. Jaworski, & N. Coupland (Eds.), The Discourse Reader. London and New York: Routledge, p. 381.
Using photos...
In all the websites I pored over, I found that photos of people felt more invitational than photos of buildings. Photos of people seemed to be more in harmony with statements of welcome. But there were limits. Some websites had so many photos of people looking into the camera that after a while, those websites felt overwhelming and even pushy, as if too much was being demanded of me. Photos of people involved in congregational activities, not looking into the camera, gave me a window into the congregation's life without demanding anything of me.
...tells a story
This issue of demand versus offer in photos is worthy of discussion. What do you want your website to communicate? That all are welcome? Or that you strongly urge people to attend? Photos contribute to this message.
Groupings of people in photos also communicate the kind of relationships that are valued in a congregation. Photos of people from different generations involved in activities together communicate that the congregation values and nurtures intergenerational activities. A preponderance of photos that appear to be traditional nuclear families indicates that nontraditional families may not be welcome. Photos of groups of people who appear to be from various ethnic backgrounds communicate an openness to diverse cultures.
Next: Consult some "critical friends"
This resource was written by Lynne M. Baab, author of the book "