Visual Literacy: Decoding Photographs

What to consider when decoding photographs

The following information was taken from: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca

Ideas: Representation and Interpretation

Photographs are a useful primary source of information and can teach us a great deal
about historical events. A photograph is a representation of something real; at the
same time, it is something created by the photographer. It is never a neutral
representation. A photograph reflects the codes, values, beliefs and culture of the
photographer, as well as time during which it was created. The meaning we find in a
photograph is similarly influenced by our culture, values and beliefs. When using a
photograph for historical research, the viewer must take an active role in its
interpretation. This is a decoding, rather than a passive act of looking.

Decoding the Photograph: Questions to Ask

To decode a photograph, it is useful to follow a methodical process consisting of four
stages: describing, analysing, interpreting and evaluating.

Describing
In describing the photograph, you must first make note of as much essential, factual
information as is available. Does the photograph have a title? Who is the
photographer? When and where was the photograph taken? Look at the subject
matter and describe it as clearly as you can. Are there people in the photograph? Is it
a landscape? Does it show the country or the city? List as many facts as you can.
Finally, look at the elements of design: colour, line, shape, value, form, space and
texture. How are these used in the photograph?

Analysing
The photographer makes certain decisions about how the photograph will be
composed, and about when and where it will be taken. In analyzing the photograph,
look at some of these decisions and consider why they were made. First, what can
you learn from the clues in the photo? What draws your eye immediately? Also, look
closely at other perhaps less significant, details. What information can they give you?
If there are people in the photograph, what kind of clothes are they wearing? How
old do the people appear to be? What do you think the relationships between the
people are? What do facial expressions and body language suggest?
What is going on in the background? Do you see any writing in the photo (signs, or
posters, for example)? Are there recognizable buildings or landmarks? What time of
day does it seem to be? Think about overall mood or feeling. Finally, how do the
various elements work together?

Interpreting
In interpreting the photograph, use the information that you have discovered through
your description and analysis to draw conclusions about the photograph. Can you
now say exactly what is happening in the photograph? What is the photographer
trying to say; that is, what is the intent of the photographer? Why was the picture
taken at this time? Why did the photographer select this angle?
Consider what is in the picture and what is left out. A photographer uses the
boundaries of the photograph as a frame. There is always a conscious decision to
focus on some things and leave other things out. How do these decisions affect the
meaning?
At this point, you might need to look at outside information. Do some research in
order to discover the historical context of the photograph. Was it staged or
spontaneous? What was happening in the world at the time? Think about the time
period when the photograph was taken. Does the meaning of the photograph change
when we look at it now, compared to when it was created? Think critically; do not
simply accept the image as a true representation of something that actually happened.

Evaluating
The final stage of your decoding is an evaluation. What do you think about the work?
Make a judgment about the value, the significance and the importance of the
photograph. Is the photograph useful to you in terms of your historical research?
What does it add to your knowledge of the subject? Base this on the earlier
information you have gained.

General Language used when decoding photographs

The following list of language has been adapted from: http://www.mopa.org/

(The Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego)

abstract: an image that emphasizes formal elements (line, shape, etc) rather than
specific, recognizable objects.
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 photographs whose main purpose is to record a place, person(s) or
photography: event.
expressive: concerned with communicating emotion.
geometric shape: simple rectilinear or curvilinear shapes found in geometry, such as
circles, squares, triangles, etc
intention: reason(s) why the artist made a work of art.
landscape: an image that portrays the natural environment
objective: a point of view free from personal bias, which attempts to consider all
available information with equal regard and fairness.
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.
theme: a unifying or dominant idea in one work of art or in a collection of
works
Language specific to a visual elements discussion, with specific questions to ask

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?
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?

Language to discuss the composition of the photograph

These words will allow the user to think about the visual elements combine to create
a composition.

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.
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.
Other Great Photography Websites:

Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/

Life: http://life.time.com/

National Archives of America:

http://www.archives.gov/research/alic/reference/photography.html

National Geographic Photo of the Day:

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/archive/

National Geographic Photography:

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/
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