"Rhetoric of the Image"

The "Rhetoric of the Image" is a concept from cultural theorist Roland Barthes that examines how images communicate messages and influence viewers. It explores how visual elements—like symbols, colors, and composition—are used to convey ideas, emotions, or ideologies beyond just showing what is literally there. Essentially, it considers how images persuade or shape perception subtly yet powerfully, much like words do in speech or writing. This understanding helps us see images not just as pictures, but as deliberate tools that influence our thinking and feelings.