how to write about photographs:
There are many ways to write about a photograph. This writing frame is a general template on how to write about a photograph. To write about interpretations and effects/impacts on the audience or viewer in more detail, see the Interpreting a Photograph page. This analysis can be done in first person or in third person, and is generally a good way to zoom into each aspect of the photograph and combined with the interpretational analysis, can produce an amazing piece of writing. This is a writing frame that I have been using since the start of secondary school and has been very useful, not only in photography, but in art, textile, history, and many other subjects across the board.
1: Describe it:
3: Interpret it:
1: Describe it:
- What do you see?
- How would you describe the photograph?
- How would you describe the photograph to someone who cannot see it?
- How would you describe the colours/composition/content/ focus of the it?
3: Interpret it:
- What title would you give the photograph and why?
- What do you think was happening at the time that this photograph was taken?
- What do you think the photograph is trying to convey and how did you come to think this?
- Does the photograph remind you of anything?
- Do you recognize the photograph, or the style of it?
- What do you find unique, and new?
- What interests you the most about the photograph?
- What can you say about the lighting and the colours that build up the photograph?
- How does the photograph make you feel?
- What do you think is the most important part of this photograph?
- Why do you think the photograph was taken?
- What would you ask the photographer?
- What do you think is good about this photograph and why? What is not so good about the photograph? Why do you think this?
- What do you think other people would say about this photograph?
- What do you think is most memorable about this photograph?