The Gaze

Humanities Division Ateneo de Davao University

Bong S. Eliab

Look vs Gaze

§  Look: a perceptual mode open to all

§  Gaze: a mode of viewing reflecting a gendered code of desire.

What is a Gaze?

§  Viewing recorded images: viewer’s gaze a voyeuristic dimension

§  to gaze: more than to look at §  Carries a psychological

relationship of power. §  The gazer is superior to the

object of gaze.

Forms of Gaze: “who is doing the looking”

§  Spectator’s Gaze §  Intra-diegetic Gaze §  Direct (or extra-

diegetic) Gaze §  Look of the Camera

Other Forms of Gaze

§  Gaze of the Bystander §  Averted Gaze §  Gaze of an audience

within the text §  Editorial Gaze

Direction of Gaze §  How a depicted person

gazes out of the frame §  Forms of attention

directed: §  towards other people §  To an object §  To oneself §  To the reader/ camera §  To middle distance (state of

reverie)

Intensity of Gaze

§  Sharp: focusing on the other person’s eyes

§  Clear: focusing about the other person’s head and face

§  Peripheral: having the other person within the field of vision

Ranges of Formality

§  Intimate: up to 18 inches

§  Personal: 18 unches to 4 feet

§  Social: 4 to 12 feet §  Public: 12 to 25 feet

Proximity of Gaze

§  Long Shot §  Extreme Long Shot §  Medium Long Shot §  Mid-Shot §  Medium Close Shot §  Close-Up §  Medium Close-Up §  Big Close-Up