Subjectivity of interpretation is inescapable despite the commonalities, and this is very clear due to these two pictures. Every person who views both these pictures will have a different interpretation for both, that is for sure... There could be numerous reasons for different interpretation of these pictures which could be due to cultural differences, ie people from different cultural background might have differed interpretations and perceptions of these pictures due to their different cultural influences.
It could also be a result of the non verbal cues portrayed in these pictures, perceived differently by varied kinds of unique people. nonverbal cues are an extremely influential source of meaning which occurs when a stimulus other than words creates meaning in the mind of a communicator.
In technical terms, there are many types of non verbal communication. In this case however, the two dominant ones are Kinesics (gestures or body language) and Haptics (touch).
I feel that these two types of non verbal communication are most prominent in helping the viewer to perceive and interpret these pictures because body language of each of the two people in each picture is extremely different and contrasting from the other which almost forces the viewer to feel differently about both the pictures.
Haptics, i.e. touch, only amplifies the difference and body gestures. The touch in both is visibly different which helps exxagerate the body gestures.
You might have thought very differently of these two pictures, however they indeed are both of two professional massages in process, and yet look different and give the viewer different impressions... why?
what was your interpretation/perception and why?
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ReplyDeleteHey Pooja,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I think the different impression occurs since in the first picture the set of the massage is totally different from what we expect. We commonly think of a room which is shown in the second picture. So this lets us think of a strange situation.
In addition to that the man looks different from "normal" masseurs (or at least what is our expectation to be a normal masseur). THis man has a little bit of an erotic appearance due to his well formed body and the tatoo. The common understanding of a masseur is probably a little guy wearing white attire.
So we see that we follow common scripts and in the case that anything is different than we expect it or how our script lets us understand, we feel that it is strange.
This post really gives me something to think about. The concept of perception however is very subjective influenced by numerous factors including culture, technology, language and science. Perception often conflicts stereotypes. I'm looking forward to reading more of your interesting posts!
ReplyDeletethe massage in the first picture involves more than just a touch the masseurs body is also in touch with the womans - though i took it as a massage as you can clearly see the table - i see the point you are trying to make - our interpretations of what we see or experience are influenced by our past, our culture, family values etc. every human being is the conditioning he/she gets from parents, family, friends and people you work with. i agree that in the first picture the masseur is nothing of the stereotype most of us have established in our minds and thus we may feel differently - tho i do feel that the touch is also quite different - like i said that his body is on hers - so it is not a simple touch... am sure many women would want to know where this masseur is... lol - interesting posts...
ReplyDeleteHey Pooja,
ReplyDeleteWell, you are so true about our interpretations.. Everyone has a different point of view, everyone has different way of expressing their views.Well, I think, it some how true, what we think is from what we have been thought, what we have seen( etc: values at home, and the environment we have been living in).
I think everything is based on how we have been living and what we learn on the way in life...As time passes, we see many new things, and we learn to differentiate many things. So, from my view, everyone has a different thought and interpretation on everything.
Well, interesting topic thou, do write longer post next time..with more pictures and videos...would be really interesting...
-Poonam Jassani-
The top picture is very enticing. I feel like going for a massage after this. It seems very relaxing and i could really use that. A massage according to me is the best cure for stress. I think that the lower picture captures the more delicate side of a massage while the other picture is the more physical one.
ReplyDeletei agree with what vishal says,the lower picture seems like the delicate massage and it seems less provacative, the body getsure feels soothing an comforting and i could reall use one :)
ReplyDeletehey pooja.i think that yes non verbal cues do actually relate to perception.how we perceive something.i like the pictures.it gives a clear view of what u were trying to talk about
ReplyDeletewell done
hmmm well this article of your makes me think about unspoken communication such as eye contact and touch... which very often people misunderstand or dont interpret in the manner it should be. so its made me think more on how one should react to such communication.
ReplyDeleteThe common theme in both the photographs are people being massaged. However what sets them apart is the body language of the masseuse. Other non verbal cues that also seemed to have affected the percievers mind, is the enviorment in which both the photographs are taken as well as the clothes worn by both the masseuse and the person being massaged.
ReplyDeleteperception of anything you see varies from person to person depending on ones thought process. ones thought process is cultivated over time by huge no of situations faced and background. so it is imperative before making any interpratations one must always try to understand the mind and perception of the other people also.these two are pictures of massages but one is a typical massage as is the norm and the other can be said to be a sensual massage which again if you know the people involved can be percieved and iterpretted on that basis.
ReplyDeleteput together, both pictures convey different stories. very interesting the way you put it.
ReplyDeleteyes our impressions are influenced by our experiences. well...coming out of 6 flights over 8 days i feel like a massage...so i am gonna go for one. cheers.
To me, both the pictures appeared to be those of professional massage.
ReplyDeleteThe second one gives an impression of a gentle, peaceful, relaxing massage at a spa or some such place, whereas the previous one gives an impression of a more energetic, almost violent massage.
There is some ambiguity about the first picture. It can be interpreted in many ways, whereas I could not think of any other way to interpret the second picture.
Why is this so? Is it association of the pictures with our thoughts, ideas and experiences? If yes, then each individual should interpret both pictures differently.
However, I am quite certain most viewers would agree on their interpretation of the second picture. If so, then it is not only our experiences, but something more that is communicating the same idea across to multiple people.
I agree. The two pictures have distinct differences which could mean different things. For one, in the first picture, the people are in close proximity. Also, they are both wearing very little clothes. Lastly, the second picture appears much more professional because it is conducted in a room and it implements different massages like the hot rocks.
ReplyDeletehi pooja...
ReplyDeletethe top pic is definitely very very suggestive....even though it is just a massage...and the lower one definitely brings no other thoughts...than actually getting one...or going to the spa...
our culture is such..where its very difficult to percieve the first pic as anything else but something errotic and sensual...
its really interesting though picking up 2 pics and comparing their glaring differences even though the basic theme is the same..a massage..
i think i really need one!!
take care.
poonam bindal dhandania
The second picture first. Thats pretty straightforward. It appears to be a picture of a man getting a massage in a proper environment from a professional masseur. I dont think there is any ambiguity about that picture.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture is more interesting. At first glance, it is suggestive. A deeper look makes it appear that the man is giving accupressure or some sort of therapy to the patient. But then why would he do so in an open environment. Also, his orange pants and tattoo on the forearm hardly make him representative of a certified therapist. Maybe I think too rationally. For me, this picture has lot of contradictions to make cohesive sense. Maybe its meant to be like that....
A really interesting post and well analyzed! The varying interpretations due to cultural differences is a very valid point. This post really proves that we mustn't have fixed ideas about things because What You See IS NOT ALWAYS What You Get
ReplyDeleteThe first picture is very intense.
ReplyDelete* The man ( if a masseur?, then shows intensity in effort)
* the woman ( if getting massaged, then shows intensity of pleasure)
Hence this connects with an intense personal feeling of the viewer.
The second one is very formal, in terms of effort, setting and effect. Hence the viewer perceives a formal impersonal character.
The two pictures, though may be of a similar situation, are very different in character and depth.
Its actually quite hard to believe that the picture on top is just a massage! But that's perception, as you've rightly pointed out.
ReplyDelete