Rose argues that because we live in such a visually oriented culture, we should become adept at utilizing images to understand the world around us. This is a very "academic" read, but useful for those interested in learning how to interpret culture.

Rose highlights how our own interpretive lens (our experiences in life which shape who we are) influences our presentation of images. For example, two different people viewing the same image on Facebook may have completely different interpretations of what is taking place. I have Facebook friends that live in Boise, ID, and also friends that live in Turkana, Kenya. When I post an image, what do they see? They see the same event, and the same facts, but they interpret that image through completely different contextual lenses.

As cultural researchers, we too must be aware of how our own perspective influences our interpretation of data, and how we report that data.

Rose details not only the theory behind the methods, but also the strengths and weaknesses of each method. For anyone doing serious ethnography, this book is essential reading.