How to Analyze a Photograph
Understanding the basic composition of a photograph helps others gain a higher appreciation of the art form and can help photographers improve on their technique. It's not hard to learn what look for in a photograph and what makes one photograph more appealing than another.
Instructions
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Look for the photo's meaning. Ask yourself what is the photographer trying to achieve in a particular photograph. Look for hidden meanings, shapes, symbols or colors that may invoke certain emotions. Look for facial expressions in images that display emotions: nervous, angry or amusement.
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Study the lighting of the photo. Was the photograph taken in a studio, outside right before the sun set or is the subject illuminated by window light? Photographers love to take photos during "golden hour," the hour before sunset or after sunrise where everything turns a golden color and elongates shadows. Also, look for colors and shapes in the photos. Sometimes the photographer uses those two aspects to project a deeper meaning.
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Ask yourself why a photo appeals to you. You can look for certain tricks that photographers use. One is the rule of thirds, when the subject is slightly off center.
Also look for lines that will lead into a subject. Sometimes that may break the rule of thirds for a photographer because the subject could be centered. An example of this is the effect of a subject standing in the middle of train tracks or a tree line can make the photo more appealing. -
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Figure out where the image was taken. Sometimes you can see where it was taken because of foreground framing. Foreground framing takes a piece of the environment and puts it on the edge of the photograph, while still showing the action going on. For example, the photographer could use a fire hydrant in the city while showing fire fighters rushing to a burning building. The possibilities are endless.
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Examine the depth of field and pay attention to the small details. What are people wearing? Does the photograph show a busy street or does it allow you to see a lone man standing beside a wall? Remember photographs show pieces of life and there are times when the art is giving an overarching story. Examine the facial expressions and body language if applicable.
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Look at the photograph's title and step back one more time to look at it from a distance. You can miss bigger things when looking at the small stuff and overlook small things by looking at the big picture. Find the overarching action and soak in the emotion of the photo before moving along.
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Tips & Warnings
The rules presented here are meant to be broken, so analyze why a photographer chose to break the rules with good reason. Look at photographs on a continuous basis, such as those at the Washington Post (see Resources).
