LEARNING TO LOOK

LEARNING TO LOOK

A format for looking at and talking about photographsby Cass Fey, Curator of Education, Center for Creative Photography boased on the aesthetic scanning chart developed by Harry Broudy and Ron Silverman at the Getty Institute for Educators in the Visual Arts in Los Angeles

Describe the photograph briefly (include size, black-and-white or color, and subject) in a sentence or two. Looking carefully at the photograph, discuss the four categories described here. As objectively as you can, address the properties in each category that seem important for the photograph. Note: This exercise works best when comments and responses relate to something seen within the work. It is not necessary to discuss every visual element.

1. Visual Elements within the photograph--What You See

light and shadow 
Does the light seem to be natural or artificial? Harsh or soft? What direction is the light coming from? Describe the shadows. Are they subtle or do they create strong contrasts?

valueIs there a range of tones from light to dark? Squint your eyes. Where is the darkest value? The lightest? 

focus 
What parts of the image are clearly in focus? Are some parts out of focus? Note: The range between the nearest and farthest things that appear in focus define the photograph's depth of field. 

space 
Do overlapping objects create a sense of space? Is the space shallow, deep, or both? 

shape 
Do you see geometric or organic shapes? Are there positive shapes, such as objects, or negative shapes that represent voids? 

line 
Are there thick, thin, curvy, jagged, or straight lines? 

color 
What colors do you see, if any? 

texture 
Do you see visual textures within the photograph? Is there an actual texture on the surface of the photograph? 



2. Design of the photograph--How Things Are Arranged

angle 
From what vantage point was the photograph taken? Imagine the photograph taken from a higher or lower angle or view. How does the angle affect the photograph?

framing 
Describe the edges of the view. What is included? What does the framing draw your attention to in the photograph? Can you imagine what might have been visible beyond the edges of the picture? 

dominance 
Close your eyes. When you open them and look at the photograph, what is the first thing you notice? Why is your attention drawn there? Are there other centers of interest? How are they created? How do the focal points help move your eye throughout the photograph? 

contrast 
Are there strong visual contrasts--lights and darks, textures, solids and voids, etc.? 

repetition 
Repetition of visual elements can create unity--a sense of order or wholeness that holds the work together visually. What elements are repeated? Do they contribute to a sense of unity? 

variety 
Variety often creates interest. Can you see a variety of visual elements such as values, shapes, textures, etc.? 

balance Is the visual weight on one side of the photograph about the same as the other? How about top to bottom and diagonally. 

3. How the photograph was made--Method/Equipment Used

You can discuss anything you know about the photographic techniques, camera, or film that is pertinent to the work.

4. What the photograph communicates--Feelings/Mood

Based on what you have seen, what do you think the work is about? What does it mean or communicate? How do you know? What words would you use to describe it?