Anchorage is just one way that can determine the meaning of a media text .

1. 1 2 3 Anchorage is just one way that can determine the meaning of a media text. Cropping an image can also alter its meaning. Look at the picture above- By cropping, or hiding, certain sections of the picture the meaning changes.

2. 2 3 4 If section 1 is revealed and the rest of the picture is cropped the meaning changes. BACK

3. 1 3 4 If section 2 is shown … BACK

4. 1 2 4 If section 3 is shown … BACK

5. Finally, the original picture - not cropped in any way.

6. 3 1 2 4 Here is an image from a journalist’s web page. Each cropped section is important in creating new readings for the picture in the same way as the last example. http://cullenphoto.com/_wsn/page4.html

7. 3 2 4 Revealing section 1 creates one version of this image. http://cullenphoto.com/_wsn/page4.html

8. 3 1 4 Section 2… http://cullenphoto.com/_wsn/page4.html

9. 1 2 4 Section 3… opens up lots of other connotations… http://cullenphoto.com/_wsn/page4.html

10. 1 2 4 3 & 4 change focus from his face to his weapon… http://cullenphoto.com/_wsn/page4.html

11. And finally here is the complete uncropped image-with all of its layers of meaning. http://cullenphoto.com/_wsn/page4.html

12. Activity: Download an image and use text boxes to crop areas in order to change its preferred meaning. Add a caption to each new cropped image showing how you can alter a pictures meaning through either, or both processes. Collect newspaper or magazine images . Using strips of card crop the image to create a new meaning. Remember when you see an image it is only ever one person’s version of reality. Remember the beginning of this module-The media constructs a version of reality… for the audience.The media student analyses, or deconstructs, what has already been put together in order to see how it works or how to make sense of it. You should now have a better understanding of how to do it.