
Visual texts are images within a text that create the exact image the author wants to give the reader. While there are many different forms of visual texts, comic books are the most popular form of visual texts today simply contain various pictures with words on one page usually creating a scene showing what the characters are saying at the time. However, not all visual texts are on paper, movies have pictures or scenes that also give the audience the exact image that the director would want to give. There are many different visuals in Rihanna’s “We Found Love” music video, however there is one in particular that creates the theme. This single image creates the theme of abandonment which is represented by her being alone in the corner. In this image, Rihanna is seen in the alone in the dark, sitting in the corner. 

This music video depicts a drug fueled relationship taking its course only to end on a deadly note. One scene in particular happens at 3:50, where she is found sitting alone in a corner of a rundown inner city apartment in the dark. In this image it is obvious that she is in major plea for help to escape the drug controlled lifestyle she lives. The darkness of this image is caused by low lighting which gives the viewer the feeling of abandonment. The low lighting in this image hides her face completely from sight making her facial expression disappear and leaving the viewer relying solely on her body language. Her body language is important during this shot because it appears that she may have been in a struggle. She’s in the corner half dressed, however the low lighting causes her face to be hidden so the idea of her being physically abused is in the air for question.

The next visual plays an important role throughout the scene that the director is trying to create. On the screen during this scene, a giant eye is seen overlapping the entire image. This eye contributes to the thought of this scary drug influenced life and flashing the eye creates the effect of multiple quick blinks. Blinking of this eye could mean reality is standing in front of her in the corner. This visual aspect of the scene adds to the theme of abandonment that is seen within the image.

This scene seems to takes place in a rundown apartment, in where it seems to be an urban environment. The shadow of objects we seen the floor shows that the environment is becoming hopeless due to drugs, and this is not a happy place to be when you are supposed to be in love. Scenery in a music video is about complimenting music with visual aid, whether it be a happy, joyful theme, or a sad, dark theme. This particular scene creates the theme of abandonment from herself, and reality. Sitting in the corner of a rundown apartment in the dark alone represents her abandoning her original life to live this fairytale, while reality is watching her suffer. 

This purpose of this visual is to make the viewer aware of drug abuse and its effects on people today in society. The purpose of this image is to represent the emotions of people suffering from drug abuse regardless if it is abusive or not. This scene has many symbols that represent that she may have been abused, such as her being cramped in the corner half-dressed, alone in the dark. The effectiveness of this visual is very strong, by bringing the awareness of this issue to the viewer and sending the message that drug abuse is a growing problem that needs to be resolved. 

The overall design of this image is well put together, bringing in many elements that all have different meaning, but tie everything that the director wants to bring the viewer in one message. The effect of this image design creates an emotion that not only the affected feel, but also the emotion that this type of relationship is real, and that people suffer from this on the day to day basis. This visual is directed to today’s young adults that know someone or are in a drug influenced relationship themselves. The purpose of this is to remind that what you love is not always good for your own well-being. 

There are two sides in a relationship that is influenced by drugs, but they both originate from the same issue. One side of the relationship is the abuser side, and this usually happens when someone begins to feel less of a person. They feel the need to assert their dominance over their partner to feel good about themselves. However, on the other side you have the person being abused. Rihanna is the one being abused in this video and it is seen through scene 3:50 with her cramped alone in the corner. In this case she feels like this is really love and does not retaliate simply because she feels it is right. The elements in this particular shot say a lot about the situation that she is in, based off her body language and the lighting it does not appear to be an enjoyable experience.

In this scene the director uses low lighting, a rundown inner city apartment to create an uninviting setting. This image can mean many things; however, it is clear that the theme abandonment is obvious. Understanding drug abuse and how it affects not only the person abusing, but the people around them allows the view to understand the image more clearly. Unlike comic books there are no words within this visual, therefore the director gave the audience a chance to interpret what they see. By doing this, it allows each viewer to take away a different message of what’s going on within this visual.
