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Thirteen Ways to Look at a Black and White Photograph by Ryan Jerving
College Prep Writing English 101
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Overview Jerving suggests the following 13 ways to look at a photograph when beginning a critical analysis. The list, as the author admits, is certainly not exhaustive. It is also important to note that these elements may have different significance depending on the image. Use this guide as a starting point to help you interpret and write about visual images.
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Cropping The artist decides what is included or excluded
Frames the reality of the image Why were the choices made? How do they impact the meaning? Cropped image Original
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Visual Cues How the eye is directed through the painting
Use focus, color, rule of thirds, z-pattern, visual pointers, etc.
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Aesthetics Creating art beyond the fact Beauty and a message
Go beyond freezing a moment in time Use artistic approach to create emotional meaning
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Characterization The environment surrounding the character
Implies social connection to the world Subject’s relationship with environment
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Costume Dress and appearance Existing objects in the images--props
Can suggest social status, ethnicity, occupation, religion…
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Framing How the subjects are positioned relative to one another
Centered, isolated, visually balanced…? Use these element to create meaning and establish relationships
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Camera Distance How far or near the camera is to the subject
Importance often given to the percentage of frame the subject occupies Long shot emphasize surroundings Close shots emphasize individuals
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Camera Angle Camera location high versus low angle
Impact’s viewers’ perception of the meaning Creates a relationship between viewer and subject Can indicate power or vulnerability
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Lighting Artists use light to create mood Creates expression
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Camera’s presence Subject’s awareness of camera
May be third person perspective Sometimes acts as first person narrator Subject’s attitude toward camera can reveal what is being represented
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Genre The type of image: news, landscape, portrait, still life, nature photography, art pictures… May engage viewer stereotypes the impact perception
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Representing representation
Photographer examines other visual representations Compares and contrast two visions of the image
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Photos in their institutional place
Where and how a photo is viewed impacts our creation of meaning Context helps understanding and meaning creation Image size, location, viewing situation
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Other Element to Consider
Color Symmetry Movement Lines Background versus foreground Focus Tension
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Other elements… Color
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Symmetry
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Movement
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Focus Background & Foreground
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Tension
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Line
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