Photo Analysis

Photography Analysis

Research using a variety of secondary sources and collecting comments, quotes and discussion points: Books, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, galleries, museums, internet, TV/DVD and radio.

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

1 Context (The particular time, place, culture and society in which it was produced.)

Understanding the wider context and underlying themes gleaned from research and used to inform your opinion

• Biographical information about the artist
• 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 into the history of Art & Photography?
• Compare other artists from the time
• When was it made? Where was it made? Who made it?
• Who was the work made for?
• What do you know about the artist?
• How does the work relate to other art of the time?
• Does the work relate to the social or political history of the time?
• Can you link it to other arts of the period, such as film, music or literature?
• Does the work relate to other areas of knowledge, such as science or geography?

2 Content (The subject of a piece of work.)

Having researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?

• What is it? What is it about? What is happening?
• Is it a portrait? A landscape? Abstract?
• What does the work represent?
• The title - what does the artist call the work?
• Does the title change the way we see the work?
• Is it a realistic depiction?
• Have any parts been exaggerated or distorted? If so, why?
• What is the theme of the work?
• What message does the work communicate?

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 of works.

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

Direct approach: confronting a scene in a straight-forward manner, without using unusual angles or distortion.

Documentary photography: photographs whose main purpose is to record a place, person(s) or event.

Expressive: concerned with communicating emotion.

3 Form (the biggie! - Looking at the formal elements of a work.)

Use the terms below to spark a response.

Abstract: an image that emphasizes formal elements (line, shape, etc) rather than specific, recognizable objects.

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

Organic shape: shapes based on natural objects such as trees, mountains, leaves, etc.

Focus: what areas appear clearest or sharpest in the photograph? What do not?

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? are there any implied lines?

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 addition to 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 darkest value? Where is the lightest?

Composition of the Photograph

Angle: Where is the camera placed in relation to the subject? This can affect the way the viewer perceives the subject.

Colour: What colours have been utilized and why? Have they been edited, are they local? What does colour add?

Angle: the vantage point from which the photograph was taken; generally used when discussing a photograph taken from an unusual or exaggerated vantage point.

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. Asymmetrical balance is found when visual elements are not evenly distributed in an image.

Central focus: the objects(s) which appears most prominently and/or most clearly focused in a photograph.

Emphasis: resting place for the eye. Eye returns there. Emphasis creates a center of interest.

Composition: the arrangement or structure of the formal elements that make up an image.

Contour: the outline of an object or shape.

Contrast: strong visual differences between light and dark, varying textures, sizes, etc.

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.

Rule of thirds: the placement of the subject one third or two thirds of the way down, not in the centre. Asymmetrical balance, achieved by the rule of thirds, contributes to variety and sharpening.

Classical balance: a centered subject. There is little dynamism in this compositions and it is used in ads that are supposed to appeal to the very rich, often seen in high end magazines.

4 Process (How has the work been made and what techniques were used.)

• What has the artist used to make the work?
• Consider the materials and media.
• What are the lighting considerations?
• Has it been presented in a special way I.e. as an installation?
• What materials and tools were used to make the piece?
• What is the evidence for this?
• Do sketchbooks provide any clues as to how the work developed?

5 Mood (How the photographer has created a certain atmosphere or feeling.)

• How does the work make you feel?
• Why do you think you feel like this?
• Does the colour, texture, form or theme of the work affect your mood?
• Does the work create an atmosphere?