Reading Photographs and Paintings Critically

Project Checklist

Inside the Frame

When you read an image critically, you can ask questions about itscomposition.

Dominant contrast and intrinsic interest. Where does youreye land first when you look at the photograph or painting?What is the most important object depicted? If characters orpeople are in the image, where are they looking?

Spatial relationships. If there are people in the photograph orpainting, what is their spatial relationship with one another?How far is the viewer from the subjects in the frame? (Close?Far away?)

Placement in the frame. Where in the frame are the most importantsubjects? Is anything important on the edge of theframe?

Color, shapes, texture, lighting. What stands out about theuse of color? Is there a wide range of color? How do the colorscontrast with one another? Is there any relationship betweencolor and the work’s meaning? Are there any noticeable patternsin lines, edges, or other geometric shapes? Is the sceneor object brightly illuminated, or are there heavy shadows? Arethere sharp contrasts between light and dark? Do color, shape,texture, and lighting create a realistic or more abstract image?

Content of the frame. Who or what does the image show?What is happening in the image? Why do you think the photographeror painter chose to show this content? Does the photographor painting seem to leave anything out, or is there anyindication that something important may be just out of view?

Technique. Are there any regions or elements that are insharper focus than others? Photos: Does the photographer usean unusual angle? Why or why not? Does the photographer useany filters to affect the colors or details? Paintings: Does thepainter use any unusual means of applying paint or other material?What kind of paint does the artist use? How would youdescribe the painter’s brushwork?

Beyond the Frame

You can also ask questions about context.

Original context. What can you learn about the photographer orpainter? When and where was the photograph taken or thepainting made? Are there any social, political, or other circumstancesthat “contain” the image in the photograph or painting?

Immediate context. How is viewing a photograph or paintingin a textbook different from viewing one in a museum? Wouldthe photograph or painting have a different meaning if it wereon the cover of Life magazine? Cosmopolitan? On display at ayard sale? Hanging in a Barnes and Noble coffee bar?

Questions to Ask about Images and Graphics on Websites

Do the images and graphics help explain the verbal content, orare they the primary content of the website?

Does the image have a clear purpose or meaning in relation tothe verbal content of the site?

Does the image overpower the rest of the content on the Webpage, or is there a good balance between verbal and visual information?

Are the images and graphics original, or do they appear to beborrowed from another source?