In a world increasingly preoccupied with the visual, it has become essential to understand the dynamics of images and be able to interpret them skilfully. Outlining our relationship relationship to the visual from ancient times to the cyber-present, Understanding the Visual shows the reader how to analyse the structure, conventions, contexts and uses of the visual in Western cultures. Richly illustrated and crossing the fields of cultural studies, communication and media studies, film, art, design, and sociology the authors show how to make sense of visual objects of all kinds.

Author Biography

Tony Schirato teaches and researches in the areas of cultural theory, media literacy, and sport and the media. He has co-authored books on the work of Michel Foucault and Pierre Bourdieu, and also on communication and cultural literacy, globalisation, Asian cultural politics and visual culture. His most recent book is on sports culture. He is currently co-authoring a book on the work of gender theorist Judith Butler. Jen Webb is Professor of Creative Communication at the University of Canberra. With Tony Schirato, she edits the Understanding Contemporary Culture book series.