Photo Appreciation

Meaning

• Photo appreciation is a technique through which we actually

analyze the point of view of the cameraperson. We try to
understand the relationship between the camera and the
subject. We minutely define the colour composition, angle of
the photograph and it wants to depict to the viewer. For this it is
very important to understand the photography composition or
grammar to analyze the whole environment.
 Meaning

The Hungarian photographer and artist Lazlo Moholy-Nagy

famously said,

“Anyone who fails to understand photography will be one of the

illiterates of the future.” We will examine photography from a
wide variety of perspectives to provide you that understanding,
and you will learn how to begin to create your own compelling
photographs.
 Photo Appreciation

To enhance your appreciation of photography, it is

necessary to develop the skills to make careful 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.
 Photo Appreciation

Photographers make decisions both about

composition (arrangement of visual elements) as
well as content (meaning) when taking
photographs.
 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.
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All
images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

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

• documentary photography: photographs whose main

Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

purpose is to record a place, person(s) or event.

• expressive: concerned with communicating emotion.

images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

• geometric shape: simple rectilinear or curvilinear shapes

found in geometry, such as circles, squares, triangles, etc.

• landscape: an image that portrays the natural environment.

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

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

to consider all available information with equal regard and
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

fairness.
images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

• 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. orks.

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

• theme: a unifying or dominant idea in one

Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

work of art or in a collection of works.

images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.
 Practice the use of these words by asking the following
questions:

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

What do not?
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

• light: what areas of the photograph are most highlighted? Are

images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

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

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

and create a pattern?
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

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

images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

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

• texture: if you could touch the surface of the

Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

photograph how would it feel? How do the

objects in the picture look like they would feel?
images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

• value: is there a range of tones from dark to

light? Where is the darkest value? Where is the
lightest?
 The words here will allow you to think about how visual
elements combine within a photograph to create a composition.
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

• angle: the vantage point from which the photograph was

taken; generally used when discussing a photograph taken
from an unusual or exaggerated vantage point.
images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

• 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..
 The words here will allow you to think about how visual
elements combine within a photograph to create a composition.
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

• 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
images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

elements that make up an image.

• contour: the outline of an object or shape.

 The words here will allow you to think about how visual
elements combine within a photograph to create a composition.
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

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

textures, sizes, etc.
images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.

• framing: what the photographer has placed within the boundaries

of the photograph.

• setting: actual physical surroundings or scenery whether real or

artificial.
 The words here will allow you to think about how visual
elements combine within a photograph to create a composition.
Artistic examples were added by Nuovo with permission the artist. All

• vantage point: the place from which a

photographer takes a photograph.
images are copyrighted by the photographer, Jack Leigh.
 Tips for Photo Appreciation

To enhance your appreciation of photography it is

necessary to develop the skills to make careful
visual analysis.

While everyone can easily discuss the contents of the

photographs ("what you see"), most need more
training to learn about formal analysis used in the
visual arts.
26/11—Terrorist Attack on Mumbai
 Tips for Photo Appreciation

While analyzing basic common language of

photography, we have to learn:
1. Identify and look closely at photograph
2. decode the clues you find
3. Imagine the circumstances behind the photo
4. Confirm your findings with more research
 Tips for Photo Appreciation
Identify: Observe every clue in
your photo with this exercise
Look at the photo quietly at least for one full
minute
Cover the photo and list everything you
remember seeing
Uncover the photo and look again carefully.
Correct any mistakes on your list and add
anything you missed. Write down any
inscriptions or a caption that came with the
photo.
 Tips for Photo Appreciation

Interpret: Put words to what you are seeing, using only the
evidence in the photo:

 What is happening in the photo?

 Who are the people in the photo? What are they
doing? How are they dressed?
 Location of the photograph—buildings,
landscapes, road, air, water etc.
 Candid or posed photograph?
 When it was taken? Year? Season? Time of the
day?
 Tips for Photo Appreciation

Imagine: Imagine the “context” of the photo

—outside its frame and instant of time:

 Why do you think this photo was taken? Place or

event in the photo?
 What do you think happened just before this photo
was taken?
 What might be about to happen next?
 What do you imagine is outside the frame of the
photo?
 Tips for Photo Appreciation

Confirm: Verify the photo with other

sources.

 However, a description of a photograph based only

on formal analysis would be incomplete.
Photographers make decisions about composition
(arrangement of visual elements), content
(meaning) as well as technical qualities when
taking photographs.
 Photo Appreciation

 Consequently, it is important to consider the

photographer's intentions for making a
photograph of a particular subject. Finally, the
historical and social context in which a
photograph was made must also be carefully
considered.
 Photo Appreciation

 Each image offers a variety of interpretations.

Therefore, the information provided in each
photograph should be regarded as a starting point
for discussion and not as a conclusive
interpretation. There is no one correct answer
when interpreting masterpiece. It is necessary to
examine carefully the photographs to develop
your skills for analyzing photographs and to
explore your own personal interpretations.
 Photo Appreciation

Questions for "Reading" a Photograph

• What is the subject of this photograph?

• What message is conveyed by the photograph?
• Can you determine the location of this
photograph?
• What do you think was the purpose of the
photograph?
 Photo Appreciation

• Describe the photograph--the people, the scene or

setting, the activities, newsworthiness, archival value
etc.
• What do the details --clothing, accessories, facial
expressions, body language, activities, products, etc.--
tell you about the people in this photograph?
• What are the strengths of using this photograph in
learning about the past?
 Photo Appreciation

• What are the weaknesses of using this photograph in

learning about the past?

• How does it compare with other sources for learning

about the past? Is it contradicted by other sources or
does it strengthen your overall knowledge of what is
happening at this time and place?
Thanks