Digital images and the z-axis

This article argues that while a semiotic analysis of composition in the screen, page and image has significant heuristic value, this would be further enhanced were it also to take into account surface and depth. It is argued that these two aspects of composition are critical for successful reading/viewing of images, and especially for digital images and their navigation. Semantic primitives, or primes, for space (where/place; here; above; below; far; near; side; inside) are employed in this argument for the development of a more comprehensive analysis of spatial integration for the screen, page and image.