There are many different ways to communicate depending on what a person is trying to say. Sometimes a speech is best or a letter or sometimes just talking to a person directly is the best way to connect with another. However, sometimes words can be misinterpreted and can be confusing. Sometimes images are more powerful than words and are better at communicating emotions and perspectives to people rather than words. Of course, depending on the person, a picture can be interpreted differently and while different interpretations are not bad, the images that are open to interpretation are intended to create discussion and should be received differently by different people. The power of a picture or image can be extremely impactful on many people and can be seen in many different ways. An image has the ability to create emotions within the viewer such as happiness or sadness. While the reaction of the viewer can differ from person to person based on how a person interprets the image typically have some intentions of creating a certain feeling using various visual techniques. An artist or designer may use certain colors to create an emotion of sadness or play with light and shadows to create confusion, fear or distrust within the viewer. Regardless of the technique, every image has a message that is purposeful and intended. In the music video, “Heartless” by Kanye West, the director uses several colors, different shades of light as well as angles and depth to communicate the emotion of sadness, loss of love and unhappiness.

A sense of loss is the first emotion that is felt in the video when the video is first presented. The first scene of the video, “Heartless” the opening image creates a sense of emotion that shows a man on the street with a car in the foreground and a series of apartment buildings in the background. The sky is dark, but not gloomy, as there are stars that are seen above the street scene. The colors of the scene are one that would be recognizable on any street scene; lights beaming from windows, street lamps, a dark road and buildings that are dimly lit. The solitary figure of a man walking down the street gives a sense of loneliness; with no other people present, the emotion of solitude, loneliness and being without any support are projected on to the viewer. The cool colors of the street scene reinforce ideas of loneliness and even a sense of despair. The contrast in depth with objects in the foreground and the man standing alone in the background also contribute to the emotional distance which is present. The buildings seem to close in on the small solitary figure. This gives the viewer a feeling of cold and being alone as the dark buildings close in on the individual. Since the viewer is looking at the solitary man from afar, there is a symbolic emotional gap that the viewer has for the man; caring somewhat about him out of curiosity but not really concerned.  

The video “Heartless” also presents emotions that reveal the challenges that com with someone that is loved but not loved in return. The contrast to this image of loneliness can be seen in the other scene where a woman looks seductively into the viewer’s eyes. In this image a woman is colored in shades of dark blue, black and indigo; all colors that give off a dark but still romantic mood. Bright lights flash and move behind her as if she is dancing at a club or some lounge with music. The shadows that are created provide a seductive and overtly sexual image as the shadows show the curves, the body outline and attractiveness of the woman in general. This woman wants the viewer to want her, but she does not want anyone in return. The emotion of lust and longing draws the viewer draws the viewer to keep looking; staring at the woman intently trying to figure out her thoughts. This image contrasts with the loneliness as the woman could offer comfort to an individual if only at it was possible to discover what she was thinking. She is a temptress; someone that lures men into wanting her, only to leave these men lonely, walking down a street without anyone to care for them. The image of a temptress as someone that can offer comfort for another is something that all people can connect to; wanting to be wanted and wanting to be loved, which is communicated through the images and colors presented in this video.

Loneness is also present in the video with the street scenes that show a figure walking down a street with flashing lights and bright signs. In a city, there is usually a person for everybody, but this man is all alone, no one to talk to, walking without a specific direction or purpose. Since the man does not have a direction, but still around people, this scene communicates a sense of being without anyone to care for or about. The brightness of the buildings contrasted with the singular man walking alone creates a loneliness that happens when someone does not feel love or affection.     

A single image can be powerful when it comes to communicating an emotion. Anger, sadness or even the unknown can be communicated in such a way that the viewer may receive some, one or all emotions intended by the director. The music video, “Heartless” Kanye West presents several different emotions to the viewer. First there is the feeling of loneliness as represented by a single figure on a deserted street and then there is the emotion of desire with the image of a beautiful woman enticing a person to look and admire her. The feelings of love and loneliness, which are contrasted in the same images with colors and lighting, all create different emotions, mixed emotions, that people often feel when they are in love or thinking they are in love. All of the emotions can be seen in these two images and it is clear that the author wanted to communicate such ideas as the use of such colors and imagery reveals such intentions.
