A well-known problem in the world today is people’s dependence on technology. Many claim that our generation and the world we live in, is too obsessed with technology. Being so entranced with technology can make one focus too much on their media life and not the real world. In this picture, three women are photographed on what appears to be on a subway, with all of them so focused on their phones. This shows that all three of them are separated and focused only about their own world through their phones. This picture clearly portrays the common theme of today’s world that society is too occupied with technology, and makes us miss out on important aspects of life, such as conversing or getting to know others.  The layout of this photo emphasizes this theme as the women are all separated, and locked in on their phones. The black and white color scheme of this picture also emphasizes the theme by portraying the world around them as bland. The women’s facial and bodily expressions also lead to the theme by showing the discontent this lifestyle brings. A clear theme of individualism, expressed by the layout, color, and facial expressions is shown as these three women are each consumed by their phones.

The most prominent form of communicating the message in this picture is the layout.  In the picture, all three of the women are clearly separated and not wanting anything to do with the other because they are already preoccupied on their phones. A black line that goes down the length of the picture is created in between each of the women from their black clothing. This creates a barrier between each of them and separates the picture into three individual pictures. This is important because instead of all of the women being in one unified picture, they seem to all be in their own separate picture, signifying that they are each in their own world. The main focus of this picture is not the women, but however their phones. This symbolizes the theme that people are too focused on media and technology that they create separate lives on their phones and choose to make that the focal point of their life instead of reality itself. Instead of communicating with the women around them, they are choosing to be preoccupied in the world of their phones, and therefore missing out on the happenings of actual life around them. Another important aspect of the layout is the subway they are on. The subway has generally come to symbolize large cities where there is a lot of life and energy around every corner. The fact that this picture was taken on a subway shows that there are many exciting opportunities for them in whatever city they are in, but instead of jumping on those opportunities, they are occupied in the world of their phones. This again shows that they are missing out on the everyday happenings of life. Through the use of layout, the theme of this picture is clearly portrayed as the women are missing out on opportunities of life because they are too occupied in their own world of their phones. 

Another important aspect of the picture is the color scheme. Even though this is a modern day photo, this picture is taken in black and white to further establish the message. The black and white color appears bland as all of the women’s clothing and the background have no color at all. This exemplifies that living life just through your phone and not paying attention to life around you becomes boring because you miss out on all the possibilities life has to offer. Another affect that the black and white color scheme creates is the barrier between the women. Since all of their outer clothing is black, this creates a sense of a barrier around each individual girl, showing that they are in their own world, and do not want to be bothered. The lack of color also creates a mood of sadness. This mood of sadness evokes feelings and questions of what technology and phones has led to in our society. Because of the black and white color scheme in this photo, the overall theme of lacking the vitality of life because of being consumed by our phones is further established. 

The facial and bodily expressions of the women also show how they are discontent and shut off from one another. Their facial expressions are those of a grimace or dissatisfaction which shows that they are not content and are not living their life to its potential. This strengthens the theme that being so consumed in your phone makes you lose the enjoyment of little things of life. The body language also strengthens the aspect that they are each in their own individual world. The oldest lady in the picture is leaning back against her seat while the girl next to her is upright, and the other girl is leaning forward. These girls aren’t even in the same plane, but are rather different levels and not directly next to each other. This is an example of how their body language creates even more barriers between each other emphasizing how they are each in their own world. They also have their elbows out since they are on their phone, and in doing so they increase their barriers even more. Since their elbows are out, they seem to be pushing one another away. This again emphasizes how these women are in their own world obsessed with the phones and will not let anyone else talk to them. Through the facial and bodily expressions of the women, the theme that being obsessed with your phone can make you miss out on little things in life such as conversations with other people is heightened.  

Sadly, society is at a point today where many people care about their presence on social media or through their phones more than real life. When doing this, one shuts out others and loses the enjoyment of little everyday things such as conversations with others on the subway. In this picture, the layout portrays this theme as barriers are created between the girls and the phones are the main focus of the picture. The black and white color scheme also helps portray the blandness of a life lived through one’s phone and the sadness of what our society has come to. Even the facial and bodily expressions in the picture show how the women are not content with this life and how they are shutting others out. This picture precisely shows the effects of living through our phones and the opportunities we miss when we shut others and our surroundings out. Because of this photo, many may be inspired to put their phone down and talk to the person next to them on the subway.