Optic Strategy Graphic Analysis

O=Overview Look at the graphic as a whole. What is happening in the graphic? Your statement should be a complete sentence that describes the visual with enough detail so that someone not looking at the visual would have a general idea of what is contained in the visual.

P=Parts of the graphic Break the graphic down into sections. Describe the placement of objects on the canvas. Name everything that you see. Describe color, lighting, and placement, attitude, sizes, orientations, and movement in the image.

T=Title What would you title this graphic? After you are given the actual title, tell why you think the artist used this title.

I=Interrelationships Analyze the relationships in the graphic. How do objects, or colors, or people relate to each other in the graphic? What seems to be the most important “relationship” in the graphic?

C=Conclusion Draw a conclusion about the graphic as a whole. What does this visual mean? Summarize the message of the visual.

Look at the graphic below. Write everything you notice in your journal. Be prepared to discuss.

OPTIC Example Overview: This is a photograph of a man standing in front of large boat chains on a dock.

OPTIC Example Parts: Man - White/unremarkable, Center, Arrogant/driven, Adult, In front of ship chains Boat chains - Gray/steel, Center, Powerful, Huge, Behind man Dock/pier - Gray/dirty, Bottom, Strong, Large, Below man and chains Watch chain - Silver/white, Center, Small, Diminutive, coming from man’s vest pocket

OPTIC Example Parts continued: Tophat - Black, Center, Tall, Appropriate, On top of man’s head Boots - Black, Bottom, Used, Medium to large, Holding man up Cigar - Black, Center, Powerful, Large, In man’s Mouth Suit - Black, Center, Used/comfortable Fitting On man

Optic Example Title: What title would you give this graphic?

OPTIC Example Title cont.: Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Launching Chains of the “Great Eastern” is the actual title of this graphic. What does the title mean? Why did the author use this title? This famous portrait was taken as part of a series of photographs by Robert Howlett that documents the construction of the massive steamship The Great Eastern on the banks of the Thames. It is a powerful image in which the British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), who was the ship’s creator, projects all the confidence and ambition of the Victorian era. Howlett portrays Brunel in his ‘stove-pipe’ hat and stacked-heel boots to give him height and presence. His formal clothes are dishevelled and muddied from the site. The backdrop is dominated by the chains of the stern checking drum. This controlled the slow slide of the ship down to the water’s edge, where it was launched by being lifted on the tide.

OPTIC Example Interrelationships:

OPTIC Example: Conclusion: A man’s impact can be much more immense than what would be judged by his size alone. A man’s power is not relative to the forces that get in his way. Man can overcome obstacle just by the sheer power of his will. A man sets his own limits relative to what he believes he can conquer.