Analyzing the meaning of social images during pandemic lockdown

Abstract

Our paper focuses on the semiotic analysis of images as shot by photojournalists. The photographs we analyze were taken in two different cities in Spain during a period of strict enclosure. For the analysis, we asked photojournalists to select several images. Once we received a selection, we analyzed the content of the images and categorized them. We processed the resulting information through statistical methods. The results show the importance of two variables: judgment and social emotions. While both variables show positive and negative significance, the results indicate the relevance of negative meanings. This may be due to a social logic centered on survival and individualism. This leads us to think that there has been a process of descaffolding during the period analyzed.