VCE Outdoor & Environmental Studies Resources

Unit One: Motivations for outdoor experience
Area of Study One: Understanding outdoor experiences

Media portrayals of nature and outdoor experiences

Nature and images of natural outdoor environments figure prominently in the media. There are two significant uses of images:

a. They may be used to add emphasise, clarity, or explanation to a discussion relating to the natural environment; or,
b. They may be employed to add impact to an unrelated issue. (Often the case in advertising.)

Questions:

1. There are two key words in this area: Images and Media. Describe what these terms mean in the context of this area of study.

2. Why is it that images of the natural environment can have a powerful impact on those viewing them?

3. Find images of the natural environment that serve to inspire:

fear, awe, contemplation, excitement, happiness, peace

4. Share your findings with others and discuss whether each person agrees if the images you have chosen correlate with emotional responses listed.

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