How to Describe a Photograph

The goal of this instructable is to walk you through the process of visually analyzing a photograph. The focus will be on explaining how to describe a photograph using semiotic materials.

The semiotic resources you will use to describe the photograph are:

• Objects
• Colours
• Settings
• Participants
• Viewer Positioning

The first step in analyzing this photograph is to deconstruct the objects that are present in it. When analyzing a photograph objects must be viewed as inducers of ideas. Take a look at the objects in the photograph and try to think of the ideas that come to mind when you look at them. For example, in this photograph we can see balloons and roller blades. The first word that might come to mind is "fun" because those two objects are generally connected to the idea of having fun. Think about the objects and their relation to the entire photograph. The ideas you get from the object should generally be connected to the overall feel and theme of the photograph. If the idea you come up with does not fit the photograph well, then the object may be denoting another idea you have not considered. Also think about the objects and how their induced ideas might connect to each other.

It is important to realize how colour can be used to analyze an image. Take a look at the colours within your photograph. What feeling do you get from the colours you see? The colours within an image influence its mood and tone.

Here are some examples of how we can use colour to evaluate possible meaning within an image:

Hue: range from the warmth of red to the coldness of blue

Brightness: truth as opposed to darkness (meaning that a bright image is more trusting, a darker image could be more sinister)

Saturation: exuberance as opposed to tender and subtle

Purity: modernism and certainty

Modulation: Different shades that are real colours (a sense of realism vs idealism)

Differentiation: are there many different colours or are they mostly the same?

Luminosity: transparent and glowing

In this example image there is no colour. However we can imagine what colours might be present in the image. This generally seems like a happy photograph. The children are smiling and excited so we might think that it is bright outside. It is likely that if the image had colour it would be light. Perhaps the balloons and the tablecloth would be vibrant colours. It might be sunny out because we can see shadows. We might say that there is a full range of colours based on the fact that the objects and subjects of the image are all different from each other. Pay attention to this range of colours to see if they harmonize. You should be paying attention to the colour schemes instead of standalone colours. Meaning you should look at all the colours as a whole and see how they come together to create the mood and feel of an image.

Think about the overall landscape of the image you are analyzing. Think also about what the landscape might represent. An example would be mountains used as a metaphor for challenges and obstacles in life. You should be using what you see in the image to gain an idea of the mood of the subjects present. Think about how the landscape makes you feel after looking at it. Now think of how the landscape would make you feel if you were present in that landscape, this is a good way judge the tone and feel of an image. In our example image, the kids are in what seems to be a small town. One way we might decide that it is a small town is by the small lampposts and the small looking shops in the background.

The participants in an image can have an impact on the mood that is portrayed. There are a number of factors to consider when analyzing an image in terms of the participants.

Here are some of the factors you should think about:

• Poses
• Individuals and Groups
• Individuation and Collectivization
• Categorization
• Generic and Specific
• Non-representation

Think of pose as body language. The amount of space that is being taken up, the level of relaxation or intensity, the sense of comfort or discomfort. In our example image the children are standing back from the monkey with arms crossed, hands in pockets, and concerned expressions on their face. We can see how these pose details could invoke the sense that they are nervous and reserved about approaching the monkey. Try to think about how this can relate to the overall mood of the image in terms of the feeling of fun and excitement.

Pay attention to how the participants in the image are presented. Are they in a group or individualized? Using our example image we can see that the children are on the right side, grouped together and in a line. We might say that they are depersonalized because there are four of them so the focus is on them as a collective. On the other hand, the fact that the monkey is alone already places more attention onto it compared to the children. It is more personalized because it stands out individually. This is further emphasized by the fact that the children have all eye on it. Pay attention to how the participants seem to interact with each other in an image, this could tell you where the focus is supposed to be directed.

Keep categorization in mind when analyzing photographs. Consider what the participants are wearing; kinds of dress, hairstyle, body adornment, etc. Think about how you can group the participants together in terms of their similar appearance. We can analyze an image by separating groups of participants. In our example image the children can be grouped together because they are wearing the some clothes and roller blades. Furthermore, they share the same stance and general expression. The monkey on the other hand can be grouped into its own category based on appearance alone.

Determine if the participants are represented as individuals or a generic class or type. Again, look at what they are wearing, how they are standing, the expression on their faces. Perhaps their age. In our example image the children can be genericized because there are four of them wearing and generally looking the same. The monkey is represented as an individual because it is significantly different from the other participants (the children). Keep an eye on the details from participant to participant.

Photographs can be analyzed by the ways in which they position the viewer in relation to the participants and subjects. It is important to have an understanding of the various viewer angles, degrees of interaction, and proximity to the scenes in the photograph.

There are three primary visual resources that we can use. These include:

• Angles of Interaction
• Distance
• Gaze

The vertical angle can be associated with themes of superiority/inferiority and with strength/vulnerability. Consider this when analyzing an image, it might indicate the importance or seriousness of the image.

The horizontal angle can be related to the level of involvement and detachment that we feel to the events and subjects within the image as a viewer. If the events and subjects are in the dead center of the image then we might feel more connected and involved. But if we use our example image to demonstrate the horizontal angle we can see that the subjects are on either side of the image. The level of engagement revolves around the monkey and the children as opposed to the monkey, the children, and the viewer.

The viewer gaze and distance again relates to the involvement of the viewer. A neutral line of sight will be straight on and would invoke a sense of closeness or neutrality. A viewer privileged shot would be if the viewer was looking down at an image. Meaning that the viewer is above the subjects, possibly invoking a sense of power or superiority. A viewer subordinated shot would be the opposite of this. The subjects would gain that aspect of power or superiority. Think about it in the sense that the image is more important than the viewer.

In our example image, we could say that the viewer is at a neutral line of sight. We are not above or below, and feel involved with what is happening, like we are watching it unfold a few feet away. When analyzing an image, think about the viewers connection and interaction with the image by observing the angles at which the image is oriented. You should also think about the distance between the participants and evaluate their level of intimacy.