framing and storytelling

what does the relationship between a person and the word “out” suggest? the answer seems to be straightforward: the person is “outside” and not “inside”. let me explore this answer with reference to a photograph.

the sense of being “outside” is often enhanced by a barrier – like the red barrier in the photograph - which suggests that there is an “inside” but what this precisely is, is unknown as the edge of the picture cuts off what is on the right side of the barrier. this adds complexity to our seemingly simple answer. another question arises: who is the person whose relationship with the word “out” we are looking at? we do not know as the frame fragments the person, only showing the feet and the lower part of the legs. the shoes might evoke the picture of a women, but anybody can wear such shoes regardless of their gender. we also do not know why the person is outside, that is, why they are excluded or what they are excluded from. and, we do not know how the person in the picture experiences being excluded as their body and face are not shown. they might be happily smiling or sadly crying, they might accept being excluded or try to crash the barrier. it is the relationship between the fragmented person, the barrier and the word “out” that creates new and unexpected content for a story. will the story that you tell be different from mine?