1. Analysing an Image
CONTEXT Understanding the wider context and underlying themes gleaned from research and used to inform your opinion
RESEARCH Research using a variety of secondary sources and collecting comments, quotes and discussion points
QUESTIONING Start with writing down key words and simple questions to get initial primary response and raise further areas for research
What? The Artwork
Who? Subject Matter
Where? Location
When? Time/Period
How? Process
Why? Meaning
Books
Periodicals
Magazines
Newspapers
Galleries
Museums
Internet
TV/DVD
Radio
Biographical information about the photographer
Political events of the time i.e. wars, suffragettes
Social & Cultural Norms I.e. fashion movements,
Ideologies I.e. Far Right or Liberal
Technology I.e. inventions and means of communication
Art Movements I.e.Bauhaus, Futurism
Quotes & key points by specialists and academics
Consider past work and common trends in career
How does the work fit in to the history of Art & Photography?
Compare other artists from the time
Structure your response using the following three headings:
FORM (Image Content)
This is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ - what is going on in the photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the photograph to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.
PROCESS
What has the photographer used to make the photograph? Consider the materials and media ie. colour B&W, film, digital, other. Give consideration to composition, lighting, and any digital processes etc
CONTENT
Having researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the photographic work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?

2. ‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame
FORM (Image Content)
This is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ - what is going on in the photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the photograph to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.
PROCESS
What has the photographer used to make the photograph? Consider the materials and media ie. colour B&W, film, digital, other. Give consideration to composition, lighting, and any digital processes etc
FLUENT EXAMPLE
This is a black & white photograph by Brassai, the French photographer ( ), of a lady and her lover/partner socialising in a café and chatting over a drink of wine. She is animated and holding his chest, whilst he looks into her eyes and embraces her. The picture was taken indoors and there is a mirror behind them.
The picture is taken from head height looking down at the couple. This allows us to see their reflection in the mirror and have an overview of the scene. The scene may have involved the use of flash as their skin, white clothes and glasses are highly reflected. The existing light is most probably artificial and low in strength with some natural light from nearby windows. There is little distortion on the face, so he has probably used a standard mm lens
TITLE: Le Couple d'amoureux au bal des quatre saisons, rue de Lappe
DATE: 1932
ARTIST: Gyula Halasz aka Brassai ( )
CONTENT
Having researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the art work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?
Brassai was someone considered to have “mythologised Paris as a romantic capital, capturing couples, bar fights, music halls and brothels.” Looking at his work it is clear that he was interested in the lives and behaviour of people in a large metropolitan city, choosing to document it as an intimate city, although not afraid to show its rough edges. This particular image cleverly manages to convey two points of view, where the lady is smiling contently and lovingly in front of the camera as she hugs her lover, but the mirror shows another, more sinister side, where she appears to be grimacing and ‘keeping up appearances’. It raises questions about how our public and private emotions are constantly challenged by the expectations of society. In this case, the glamour and fashion of the 1930s implied a culture of sophistication that influenced many women of the day.
KEYWORDS
Write down any key words you associate with this art work.
Reflection
Intimacy
Social
Illusion
Deception

3. ‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame
TITLE: Omaha Beach
DATE: Robert Cappa
ARTIST: June
CONTENT
Having researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the photographic work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?
FORM (Image Content)
This is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ - what is going on in the photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the photograph to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.
PROCESS
What has the photographer used to make the photograph? Consider the materials and media ie. colour B&W, film, digital, other. Give consideration to composition, lighting, and any digital processes etc
‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame
KEYWORDS
Write down any key words you associate with this art work.
Insert Picture

4. ‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame
TITLE: Kim Phuc
DATE: 1972
ARTIST: Huynh Cong
CONTENT
Having researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the photographic work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?
FORM (Image Content)
This is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ - what is going on in the photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the photograph to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.
PROCESS
What has the photographer used to make the photograph? Consider the materials and media ie. colour B&W, film, digital, other. Give consideration to composition, lighting, and any digital processes etc
‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame
KEYWORDS
Write down any key words you associate with this art work.
Insert Picture

5. ‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame
TITLE: The Sunbaker
DATE: 1937
ARTIST: Max Dupain
CONTENT
Having researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the photographic work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?
FORM (Image Content)
This is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ - what is going on in the photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the photograph to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.
PROCESS
What has the photographer used to make the photograph? Consider the materials and media ie. colour B&W, film, digital, other. Give consideration to composition, lighting, and any digital processes etc
‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame
KEYWORDS
Write down any key words you associate with this art work.
Insert Picture