VisualStoryTelling

The first thing I “see” with this image is the fear of goods being held. The emotion is a little lacking in my opinion but the message is clear. It says “your goods are here but you can have them” which evokes emotion and sets in fear. Framing could be better, maybe workers load/unloading the goods. I would like to see more action in the photo.

Although this image does not have any subjects, the first thing I notice is the RED coloring. Marking the highest percentage of tariffs. I have always hated graphs but I would say this one has done a good job by showing the important info, and keeping it very minimal. What I would want to see in the image but is not is a highlighting on the “Agriculture”, it is miss leading because all the media pushes is how everything will go up in cost.

I had to save the best for last, the iconic red, white and blue suite with the MAGA hat. The action in this picture is not the best, I can not pick out what he is saying and or why. What I did notice was the image is speaking to the viewer by color. This image would not have the same effect if it was in black and white. This red color is popping out and the photographer did a great job with the colors. Yes you can see the red visually but I am talking about how it makes people feel, red is typically used for a negative or “angry” meaning. This image served its purpose very well.

Sources: Fox Business, The Guardian, New York Times, Farm bureau

Recently, the topic of tariffs has become a major point of discussion across the United States, and it’s not hard to see why. As a country that relies heavily on goods imported from around the world, from electronics and clothing to machinery and raw materials. Changes in trade policies have a direct impact on consumers, businesses, and the overall economy. I chose to focus on this topic because it touches every aspect of our daily lives, often in ways we don't immediately recognize.

This image captures exactly what it needs to, the first feeling and or though I get is “what is he doing” which for a narrative that would be against the raise of tariffs is perfect. I get that these sources need to come off as “professional” but an artistic touch they could have added would be a speech bubble. The thought that the image tells visually is very spot on and you can only exaggerate from there.

I chose these images because they help create a visual narrative that reflects what many people already feel, even if they don’t fully understand the issue. In my personal experience, most people aren’t sure what tariffs are, how they’re implemented, or when they take effect. These visuals capture the confusion, frustration, and uncertainty that often surround the topic. The expressions, color tones, and graphs all reinforce messages that many have already been talked about. That can be dangerous. When we rely solely on media portrayals, we risk mistaking opinion or narrative for fact. That’s why it's so important to approach complex issues like tariffs with a critical eye and a willingness to look beyond the headlines (all narratives have some bias to them).