The subject of the photographer in Halacha

B. H.
Hello, Your Honor.

I get to hear the rabbi a lot (through the audio lessons on the website) and first of all I wanted to thank him for that. I feel like they add a lot to me and in many areas.

Recently I have been thinking a bit about the statement that man was created in the image of God and the ethical implications that are commonly attributed to it. As part of the thought process, I tried to see how Chazal understood this concept and whether and in what way they used it as a consideration for halakhic rulings.

My question is, how does the Rabbi understand the Sages' view on the subject and did they use the principle of the image as a ruling consideration (not just as a means of explaining existing laws)?

Additionally, how does the Rabbi understand the following words of Rabbi Akiva: Rabbi Akiva says that whoever sheds blood nullifies the image, as it is said, "Whoever sheds blood by another, his blood shall be shed [for in his image He made man (Genesis 9:6)]" (Tosefta, Yevamot 8)? What does it mean to 'nullify the image'? Is this just a metaphor intended to evoke emotion, or is there a significant statement here, perhaps a metaphysical one?

Thank you very much.
And thanks again for the insightful lessons and articles.