Image vs Photo vs Picture vs Figure vs Illustration – An English Visual Vocabulary Guide

English has many synonyms, with each word having slightly different meanings and functions within a sentence. When discussing visual materials, words like “image,” “photograph or photo,” “illustration,” “picture,” and “figure” are often used. Since these words are frequently utilized, understanding the differences between them is important for mastering English. Broadly, we can identify the following distinctions and definitions:

1. Image:
   • A general term that can include photographs, drawings, graphics, and other visuals.
   • Typically used for any visual content that may be in a computer file and ready for insertion into a design document.
2. Photograph or Photo:
   • A picture taken with a camera.
   • “Photograph” is more formal, while “photo” is more casual.
3. Illustration:
   • A drawing created by an artist (including digital art).
   • For example, the illustrations in books or magazines.
4. Picture:
   • A synonym for “photograph.”
   • Frequently used in newspapers, magazines, etc.
5. Figure:
   • Used in academic texts to refer to images that are cited within the text.
   • Can include photographs, diagrams, charts, etc.

If you are writing a dissertation or research paper, “figure” is the word you should use to label illustrations in your work.

Image in English

Image in English

The word “image” is one of the broadest terms. An image can refer to a representation of something or someone, which may be a physical object like a painting or a digital one.

• Meanings: The word image has several meanings depending on the context. The main definitions of this word are:

  • A picture, photo, drawing or other visual representation of something. For example: The image on the screen was blurry.
  • An impression, perception or reputation of someone or something. For example: She has a good image in the public eye.
  • A description, metaphor or symbol that conjures a certain impression or emotion in the reader or listener. For example: Water, a symbol of life, recurs as an image throughout her poems.

• Grammar: The word image is a noun that can be singular or plural. In the singular it has the form “image” and in the plural it is “images.” For example: There are many images of flowers in this book.

• Usage: The word image can be used in various situations, but it is especially common in these contexts:

  • When talking about photos, drawings, graphics, diagrams etc. that accompany a text or message. For example: This article has many images to illustrate the main points.
  • When talking about the reflection of something in a mirror, camera lens, etc. For example: The image you see in the mirror.
  • When talking about an impression or perception that we have about someone or something, or that we want to project. For example: He’s trying to project a more presidential image.
  • When talking about the descriptions, metaphors or symbols used in literature, art, religion etc. For example: The image of the cross is central to Christianity.

Photo in English

“Photo” is an abbreviation of “photograph,” and it refers specifically to an image captured through photography.

• Meaning: The word photo is short for photograph, which means an image taken with a camera. It can be in black-and-white or color, and can depict any object, person or landscape. For example: She took a photo of the sunset.

• Grammar: Photo is a noun that can be singular or plural. In the singular it has the form “photo,” and in the plural it is “photos.” For example: There are many photos of flowers in this book.

• Usage: The word photo can be used in various situations, but is especially common in these contexts:

  • When talking about photos we have taken or shown to someone. For example: He showed me a photo of his family.
  • When talking about photos we keep in albums, books, computers, etc. For example: She has a photo album full of memories.
  • When talking about photos used for identification, documents, passports, etc. For example: You need a passport photo for your visa application.

Picture in English

“Picture” is a term that covers almost any visual representation, including photographs, drawings, paintings, and even images on a screen.

• Meanings: The word picture has several meanings depending on the context. The main definitions of this word are:

  • A painting, drawing, photo or other image showing a scene, person or object. For example: He likes books with lots of pictures in them.
  • An idea, impression or thought about someone or something. For example: She had a clear picture of what she wanted to do.
  • A movie, especially in a movie theater. For example: We’re going to see a picture tonight.

• Grammar: Picture is a noun that can be singular or plural. In the singular it has the form “picture,” and in the plural it is “pictures.” For example: There are many pictures of flowers in this book.

• Usage: The word picture can be used in various situations, but is especially common in these contexts:

  • When talking about paintings, drawings, photos etc. that we see, take, show or display. For example: She wanted a famous artist to paint her picture.
  • When talking about an idea or impression that we have or want to convey about someone or something. For example: He gave us a vivid picture of life in the jungle.
  • When talking about movies we watch, make, promote or review. For example: She’s a famous picture star.

Figure in English

In the context of visual representations, “figure” is usually used in academic or professional texts to denote a diagram, graph, chart or schema.

• Meanings: The word figure has several meanings depending on the context. The main definitions of this word are:

  • A person having a certain role, status or character. For example: He was a familiar figure on the lecture circuit.
  • The shape, silhouette or outline of a person or object. For example: She saw a dark figure in the shadows.
  • An image, photo, drawing, sculpture or other visual representation of a person or object. For example: She chiselled a figure out of the marble.
  • A number, numeral or symbol used to denote a quantity, magnitude or other information. For example: Write the amount in both words and figures.
  • An image, chart, diagram, table or other visual representation of data accompanying text, especially in research papers. For example: Please see figure 8 and 9.

• Grammar: Figure is a noun that can be singular or plural. In the singular it is “figure” and in the plural it is “figures.” For example: There are many figures of speech in this poem.

• Usage: The word figure can be used in various situations, but is especially common in these contexts:

  • When talking about people having an important, famous or interesting position in society, politics, history, etc. For example: She was a key figure in the movement for constitutional reform.
  • When talking about the shape or silhouette of a person or object that is visible or felt. For example: He cut out a figure of a star from the paper.
  • When talking about images, photos, drawings, sculptures etc. depicting a scene, person or object. For example: There are several reclining figures in the painting.
  • When talking about numbers, numerals or symbols used to denote a quantity, magnitude or other information. For example: He earns a six-figure salary.
  • When talking about images, charts, diagrams, tables etc. used to visualize data accompanying text, especially in research papers. For example: The results are shown in figure 1.

Illustration in English

An “illustration” is a drawing, painting or created image used to explain, clarify or decorate textual information. Unlike a photograph, an illustration contains an element of artistic interpretation.

• Meanings: The word illustration has several meanings depending on the context. The main definitions of this word are:

  • A drawing, photo, chart or other image used to explain or decorate a text. For example: This book has many illustrations to make the story more interesting.
  • An example or evidence used to clarify or prove something. For example: This case is a good illustration of how the law works.
  • The process or result of creating images for a text. For example: She studied illustration at the art school.

• Grammar: Illustration is a noun that can be singular or plural. In the singular it is “illustration” and in the plural it is “illustrations.” For example: There are many illustrations of animals in this encyclopedia.

• Usage: The word illustration can be used in various situations, but is especially common in these contexts:

  • When talking about drawings, photos, charts etc. that accompany a text or make it more comprehensible or interesting. For example: He is an illustrator for children’s books.
  • When talking about examples or evidence used to clarify or prove something. For example: She gave several illustrations of how the theory can be applied.
  • When talking about the process or result of creating images for a text. For example: He is interested in the history of illustration.

In summary, while there is a lot of overlap between these terms, especially between “image,” “photo,” and “picture,” each has its own distinct context where it is most appropriate. “Figure” and “illustration” are more specialized – “figure” is usually associated with academic or instructional material, and “illustration” has an artistic connotation. Understanding these distinctions is important for mastering English, as it improves your comprehension and precision when discussing different forms of visual media.