basic strategies in reading photographs.pdf

7/23/2019 Basic Strategies in Reading Photographs.pdf

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Basic Strategies in Reading Photographs

Of course, you know what you like.But would you like to know moreabout how a photograph is composed? By learning what visual elementsthe artist uses to communicate with you, you may appreciate better why

you like or don't like a particular work of art. In the presentation below, theconcepts are illustrated with photographic works. Click on the work for alarger image of it and then click on BACK to return to the presentation.

Nuovo thanks the Museum of Photographic Art(MOPA) in San Diego forallowing us to adopt one of their papers for this presentation. Artistic

examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All images are copyrighted by thephotographer, Jack Leigh. All rights are reserved.

Index

ObjectiveBasic VocabularyVisual ElementsComposition

Objective:

To develop visual literacyLearn the basic vocabulary used in formal analyses in the visual arts

Combine content information with formal analysis to "read" (analyze)photographs

To enhance your appreciation ofphotography it is necessary to develop the skills to makecareful visual analysis. While everyone can easily discuss the contents of photographs ("what

you see"), most need more training to learn about formal analysis used in the visual arts.Formal analysis focuses on an artwork's "formal" qualities, or those visual elements that give it

form. These include: shape, size, texture, line, space, etc.

Formal analysis provides a basic common language in the visual arts. However, a descriptionof a photograph based only on formal analysis would be incomplete. Photographers make

decisions both about composition (arrangement of visual elements) as well as content(meaning) when taking photographs. Consequently, it is important to consider the artist's

intentions for making a photograph of a particular subject. Finally, the historical and socialcontext in which a photograph was made must also be carefully considered.

An important note: each image offers a variety of interpretations. Therefore, the informationprovided in this resource for each photograph should be regarded as a starting point fordiscussion and not as a conclusive interpretation. There is no one correct answer when

interpreting works of art. We encourage you to carefully examine photographs to develop yourskills for analyzing photographs and to explore your own personal interpretations.
http://www.mopa.org/http://www.mopa.org/


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General Vocabulary Used in Photography

The following words are the basic vocabulary used in describing photographs.

abstract: an image that emphasizes formal elements (line, shape, etc) rather

than specific, recognizable objects.

content: the subject, topic or information captured in a photograph.

direct approach: confronting a scene in a straight-forward manner, withoutusing unusual angles or distortion.

documentary photography: photographs whose main purpose is to record aplace, person(s) or event.

expressive: concerned with communicating emotion.

geometric shape: simple rectilinear or curvilinear shapes found in geometry,such as circles, squares, triangles, etc.

intention: reason(s) why the artist made a work of art.
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landscape: an image that portrays the natural environment.

objective: a point of view free from personal bias, which attempts to consider

all available information with equal regard and fairness.

organic shape: shapes based on natural objects such as trees, mountains,

leaves, etc.

representational: an image which shows recognizable objects.

subject: the main object or person(s) in a photograph.

theme: a unifying or dominant idea in one work of art or in a collection ofworks.

Visual Elements

Practice the use of these words by asking the following questions:

focus: what areas appear clearest or sharpest in the photograph? What do

not?
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light: what areas of the photograph are most highlighted? Are there any

shadows? Does the photograph allow you to guess the time of day? Is the

light natural or artificial? Harsh or soft? Reflected or direct?

line: are there objects in the photograph that act as lines? Are they

straight, curvy, thin, thick? Do the lines create direction in the photograph?Do they outline? Do the lines show movement or energy?

repetition: are there any objects, shapes or lines which repeat and create

a pattern?

shape: do you see geometric or organic shapes? What are they?

space: is there depth to the photograph or does it seem shallow? What

creates this appearance? Are there important negative spaces in additionto positive spaces? Is there depth created by spatial illusions?

texture: if you could touch the surface of the photograph how would it

feel? How do the objects in the picture look like they would feel?

value: is there a range of tones from dark to light? Where is the darkestvalue? Where is the lightest?
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Composition of the Photograph

The words here will allow you to think about how visual elements combine within a photograph to create a

composition.

angle: the vantage point from which the photograph was taken generally used

when discussing a photograph taken from an unusual or exaggerated vantagepoint.

background: the part of a scene or picture that is or seems to be toward the

back.

balance: the distribution of visual elements in a photograph.Symmetrical balance distributes visual elements evenly in an

image.Asymmetricalbalance is found when visual elementsare not evenly distributed in an image.

central focus: the objects(s) which appears most prominently and/or most

clearly focused in a photograph.

composition: the arrangement or structure of the formal elements that makeup an image.

contour: the outline of an object or shape.

contrast: strong visual differences between light and dark, varying textures,

sizes, etc.
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framing: what the photographer has placed within the boundaries of the

photograph.

setting: actual physical surroundings or scenery whether real or artificial.

vantage point: the place from which a photographer takes a photograph.
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