Body Language - Does a Picture Paint a Thousand Words?
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Photo Challenge for the Month – Body Language. That was the title of the article on a website that I follow.
Hmm...that sounds easy enough I said to myself, but then I did a second take as the explanation that followed said that – “show body language or communication in a picture without showing the face”. Now, that’s something else! That’s a real challenge!
How can you show communication in a still picture without showing the face?
How indeed, when Kinesics or the study of body language, reveals that more than 70% of non-verbal communication is expressed through the eyes and facial expressions.
Oh no! What photo will I submit for the challenge?
Does A Picture Paint a Thousand Words?
Can you really show communication in a picture without showing the face? You can, - that's great! Because for a while, I thought it was too hard to do.
I was really stumped on how to proceed with the challenge. Then I remembered the saying, “a picture paints a thousand words” as well as the song that starts “If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you”.
So I embarked on looking for pictures in my files that communicate without showing the face.
Finding Pictures that Paint a Thousand Words
Look what I found - these pictures have been sleeping in my computer.
Do they say something or anything at all? You be the judge. See if you agree with the messages I wrote for each picture or you can tell us what you think is the message.
Are you game? Let’s go then...
Body Language - Write Your Own Message
I have written some possible messages beside the pictures but you are welcome to write your own. Let’s do this together, shall we?
Picture 1
a) sharing
b) caring
c) I love walking under the rain with you
d) _______________________write your own message
Picture 2
a) if we hold on together
b) my, what big hands you have
c) we are one in the spirit
d) _______________________write your own message
Picture 3
a) we can’t go on meeting like this
b) My feet are killing me
c) is it the left or the right foot first?
d) ____________________write your own message
Picture 4
a) don’t leave me Dad
b) I can’t move my neck
c) how is the weather up there?
d) __________________write your own message
Picture 5
a) mother’s love
b) she is mine
c) oh no, you don’t touch her
d) _____________________write your own message
Picture 6
a) come on, I need light
b) Hosannah
c) hey, over here please
d) ____________________write your own message
Picture 7
a) how much longer?
b) I love the view from down here
c) Psst, check your zipper
d) ___________________write your own message
Picture 8
a) it’s cold out here
b) you and me against the world
c) I wish this will go on forever
d) __________________
write your own message
Picture 9
a) heaven, I’m in heaven
b) I trust you
c) my, what long nails you have
d) _____________________write your own message
Picture 10
a) gimme, gimme, gimme
b) this one’s for you
c) more, I want some more
d) _____________________write your own message
The Study of Body Language
There is actually a field that is involved in the study of body language. It is called kinesics .
This study includes all forms of non-verbal communication that uses all kinds of body movement including those of the eyes.
According to kinesics , 70% of our communication is usually non-verbal. So we get cues about what somebody is saying through facial expressions, gestures, body movements, and the like.
Some body messages can indicate aggression , like a threatening look; forgiveness , like a tap on the shoulder; love , like a kiss on the brow; flirtation , like a certain look in the eye; and other non-verbal messages.
During the Victorian era (or the Spanish era in the Philippines), males and females who are a-courting, have even developed a language of communication through the flick of the fan, or the wave of a handkerchief.
Check out this website.
If You Want to Know More About Body Language
These websites will tell you more about Body Language
http://www.positive-way.com/body.htm
http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/body_language.htm
http://www.qondio.com/the-study-of-body-language-kinesics
Body Language - Without the Face
So, can you communicate in pictures without the face?
Yes you can! And I discovered that after the face, the hands are the most expressive part of our body.
Question - can you guess which photo I submitted for the challenge about body language?
Answer – none of the above! Why? Because I forgot about the deadline, that’s why! Ugh!!!
Oh, well, I had fun looking for pictures anyway. And I even had more fun putting the pictures together for this hub.
I hope you had fun too! Shall we talk?
Some of my other Photography Hubs
CommentsLoading...
Thought of another one for number 6...Hey. Is this the line for the bathroom?
Hi coffeesnob my friend,
Thanks for being the first one here! What imaginative descriptions! I love them!
It's looks like you had fun!
Yah, sorry I missed the deadline too. I suppose it wasn't meant to be.
Thanks again for the wonderful opening salvo!
I am disappointed for you! I'm positive your pictures would have won! Great hub - loved your descriptions :D
Great hub! I was definitely thinking "my what long nails you have," for number 9..lol So cute!
Hi Enelle - thanks for dropping by and for leaving a heart warming comment! Did you have the same descriptions too?
Hello herbivorehippi - Hahaha, we think along the same lines!
Thanks for the visit and wonderful comment!
Hello friends,
I will be out of town for a few days. So I might not be able to answer your comments right away.
Anyway, enjoy and have fun in this hub! Let your creative juices flow.
I'll see you soon!
Picture # 9 is to cute. I am tryin to think up some kinda cute slogan !
I loved it, jill! I am bookmarking this! GREAT JOB!
My kaibigan...
quite an interesting hub you`ve got here. I liked the approach and originality of it! I enjoyed it because I am a very kinesthetic person! I thrive on communication by touch! Very nice job, Jill!
Thumbs up!
Warmest regards and infinite eternal blessings,
Al
Wow, thanks for the fun hub. I checked your hub out right after I came home. Love the pictures--as for guessing the body language--well, I'm __________ can you see? Anyway, I had fun trying to figure it out. Thank you so much.
Very good and interesting hub. Picture N°9 is marvelous. Rated up, well done jill.:)
A great hub Jill! Working out body language without facial expressions isn't easy but taking away movement as well!!
Amber:)
I like the tsinelas (slippers) dividers...
Hi Friends,
It's good to be back! I'm happy that you posted comments while I was away.
I had fun reading all of them.
Hi Tony,
Were you able to think of a message or label about picture #9?
Thanks for dropping by friend!
Hello Ann,
Great to see you here. Thank you very much for your heart-warming comment!
Mystique my kaibigan,
Thanks for the upbeat comment!
I'm happy that you could relate with this hub. Being kinesthetic makes it easier for you to communicate without words. That's really great!
Salamat kaibigan!
Hi anglnwu,
It's nice to see you my friend! I'm happy that you had fun with this hub.
I think I can see _____ what you are trying to say. Ha ha ha. We understand each other, right?
Thanks again my friend.
Hello hypnodude,
Thanks for the visit and wonderful comment! I love picture 9 too.
Hi Amber,
It's nice to see you again!
I really appreciate your heart-warming comment. Thank you very much!
Yes, I discovered it's rather hard to show some communication without the face and body movement, but it certainly is possible.
Thanks again!
Hi MM - that's nice to know! Thank you very much!
I liked #8!
Hi FCEtier - nice to see you here!
Great, what message did #8 tell you?
Miztahcool would like to give you 5 icicles for creating really cool hubs. That's just his way of saying thank you for dropping by.
Good ones!
Here is my attempt:
1. Together again
2. Believe!
3. Nice meeting you here!
4. Will I ever grow up?
5. That sun is so bright!
6. Raucous crowd scene
7. I'm tired!
8. I love you.
9. Oh boy! Oh boy! A treat!!!
10. Please...over here!
Hello miztahcool - Thanks for the icicles! They are exactly what I need because it's hot in our part of the world right now. Temperatures have been in the mid 30s degree C for the past few days!
Thanks for dropping by and the upbeat comment!
Hi Peggy - it's nice to see you again!
Thank you very much for joining in the fun. Your messages are great!
Body language really say a lot, right?
1 - don't step on my foot
2 - enough clapping already
3 - I don't know if we can do this dance in flip-flops
4 - daddy, what a big chin you have
5 - size of this kid's head, she ought to carry me
6 - I'll trade you these 3 candles for one of those hats
7 - I remember being this little
8 - I bet we look even better than this scenery
9 - is that a chicken leg? the vet said I should not eat chicken, but...
10 - thank you thank you thank you
Hi Dolores - it's nice to see you here!
Thank you very much for joining in the fun! Isn't it amazing how many different messages we can think of just by looking at one picture?
I like the tsinelas (slippers) dividers..
Hi moda - Thank you very much!
I love this hub Jill and as always your photos are fantastic! I hope I didn't miss the deadline being one of the last to respond. Here are my captions:
1- Devon and April, last year's champions, practice for the upcoming national potato sack race, despite the inclement weather.
2 - Don't forget to carry Aspercreme. You never know when or where arthritis will strike.
3- You know, Gladys when I was young Hula Hoops came in lots of pretty colors. What gives these days?
4- Hey, I think there's a giant spider on the ceiling.
5- The damn Paparazzi have no respect for children.
6- There's always a heckler during the lecture at the garden gnome convention.
7- Thanks Dad, you always help me to stay balanced. Just don't remove your knee.
8- He was a good friend, but now that he's recovered the forest is his true home.
9- OK Esmeralda, I'm ready to have my palm read.
10- Let me see if you all washed your hands before lunch.
Oh, on a side note, mystery author Jeffrey Deaver has a terrific character, Katherine Dance who's a detective specializing in kenesics. You would enjoy his novels.
Hi Green Lotus,
I don't think there is any deadline to writing comments. Nothing is ever too late especially if it's coming from you.
I am very happy that you dropped by and joined in the fun. I love your messages, they made me smile. Some even made me laugh. I can see that you still have a hangover from Avatar in your caption for picture #8. This is really fun, don't you think so?
Ok, I'll check out Jeffrey Deaver's novels. I love mystery novels and now that you recommend it, I'll definitely look for them.
Thanks very much for everything!
#8 -- Together, we can do anything!
Hi FCEtier - thanks for coming back and posting your caption for picture #8.
How inspiring!
Very interesting exercise. Great selection of photos. You are right, non-verbal is a huge part of communication but little understood. Thanks for making me think.
Hi James - it's good to see you here!
I'm happy that you found this exercise interesting. Did you come up with your own caption of the photos?
It's really amazing how a picture can elicit different interpretations. Right?
You are most welcome. My pleasure really.
A picture truly does paint 1,000 words! Enjoyed!
Hello habee - Thanks for the visit and upbeat comment!
I'm happy you enjoyed this. Pictures do paint a thousand words, don't they?
It's the puppy dog one that I love, it says it all.
" I only have eyes for you"
Brilliant hub, Jill
katyzzz - thanks very much for dropping by. It's so nice to see you! Thanks too for your heart-warming comment.
"I only have eyes for you" is perfect for #9!
Thanks again! See you around.
All the best!
Great Stuff Jill thanks for sharing!
Hello GeneralH - thanks for the visit and wonderful comment! See you around!
God bless!
Picture 4 - Wow! You have a lot of nose hairs.
Great hub thanks for the giggles.
Hello samboiam - Nice to see you!
Thanks for participating in this hub. Your message for picture #4 is funny!
I'm happy that you found something to giggle about.
Thank you very much for the visit and comment.
See you around!
Cool hub!!
A picture sure can paint thousands of words and then some!;)
Hi compu-smart - Thank you very much for the visit and nice words.
How true, how true!
See you around!
Liked your hub.Pictures are fantastic. Looking forward for more of your writings. Joining your fan club and would like to invite you too.
Hello FashionFame - Thanks for the visit and upbeat comment.I really appreciate them.
I'll go over to your page after I post this.
See you around!
Body language does speak for itself. Great topic:)
Hello heart4theword - It's good to see you again!
Thanks for visiting and leaving an upbeat comment.
All the best!
I just love this hub!1. Joy of walking. 2. The hands have it.3. These are so comfortable.Don't you think?4. Some day I am going to be as tall as you. 5. I am tired too. 6.Light my way. 7.I am out of the wind down here. 8. Look at the view. 9. I am so happy to be your friend. 10. Look we all washed our hands. I had so much fun.
great hub i will think about this another time, just stalking Dream On, that cat gets to all the best places.
Hello Dream On - Nice to see you here!
I'm happy that you had fun with this hub! Thank you for participating and sharing with us the messages you got from the photos. I love them.
Pictures really speak a 1,000 words, don't they?
Hello Brenda - great to see you again!
Hahaha, so you are a stalker now?
Thanks very much for the visit. I'm sure you can write a verse or two about some of the photos.
All the best!
1- left right lift left right
2-hands up crossover
3-shuffle off to buffalo
4-is it raining or are you spitting on me Dad
5-keep them closed, dont look we are almost out of here
6-over here , ,take these they will work
7-no way im not going
8- awww dont they look cute down there, someday we will watch our own kids.
9-please dont leave me.. come lay down next to me. . and please put my paw down
10-please pass the purell
great pics Jill .. ur pics are always so brilliant!
Hello wavegirl - it's nice of your to drop by and join in in the fun!
Thank you very much for adding your own messages! Did you have fun thinking about them?
Thank you too for your appreciation and support!
God bless!
Sorry, I'm late. What fun you must have had with these silent photos speaking out loud! Congratulations!
You inspire me to come up with a photo hub- but not this time please. I'm having trouble without my eyeglasses. I left them in Manila when I visited my daughters there. This typing exercise is effort to me. Thanks for sharing this.
Hi Lita - it's nice to see you again!
I don't think we are ever late in visiting hubs. I welcome them anytime, all the time, and I'm happy that you decided to drop by.
Yes, do share your photos with us. I'm looking forward to seeing them!
Hope to see you again soon!
A very nice topic, especially when read by writers who cannot rely on body language to convey their messages. It is an interesting challenge to be understood without facial expressions or even movement in the case of the pictures you've shown here, but you managed to prove that meaning can be conveyed. (Voted up and useful.)
Mike
Mike - what a wonderful thing to say! Thank you very much! You have made me very happy.
Thank you very much for voting up. I really appreciate it.
Hope to see you again!
God bless!
To bad you missed the dead line this is fantastic and oh well we will all get a massive amount of insight out of it. I enjoyed the finish the sentences, fun and thought provoking. Love It! thanks and peace :)
Hi katie,
It's nice to see you!
Yes, too bad, but that's life, sometimes we just miss deadlines.
Anyway, I as I said, I enjoyed the whole process and especially putting this hub together. I'm happy you enjoyed this too.
God bless!
This would be a great exercise for school I think also and for many bonding typing exercises. Great pictures.
Hi Billy,
Thanks very much for your visit and upbeat comment!
Yes, why don't you try it?
See you around!
God bless!
Body language is, indeed, a fascinating topic :)
Hello Trish,
Thanks very much for your visit and upbeat comment.
God bless!
I loved looking at each picture and coming up with my own.
Hi Angela,
Nice to see you again!
Yeah, it's great coming up with your own captions. Would you like to share them here?
Thanks for visiting!
God bless!
Another interesting hub from you Jill! Thanks...I am enjoying the "thinking"....
Hi azure_sky,
Nice to see you again!
I'm happy that you enjoyed this. That's great!
Thanks very much for dropping by and leaving a positive comment!
God bless!
Awesome article. It was definetly was fun putting my own version. Pictures definetly do speak alot of words. Vote you up
Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving an inspiring comment GlstngRosePetals!
God bless!
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coffeesnob Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
Jill, indeed your pictures are more valuable than a thousand words. Sorry you missed the deadline -I amsure you would have been at the top! I like the banner :-)
So here is my attempt at descriptors.
1. Two stepping in the Rain
2. United
3. Discipleship
4. I've got this one, big guy
5. Contentment in her care
6. Hey! I'm back here
7. Settling in for a long wait
8. Wish we could stay here forever
9. Puppy love
10.Freely you receive, freely give