HOW TO ANALYSE A PHOTOGRAPH
You may be asked to answer the following questions about a particular photograph:
- What is the historical context of this photo?
- What is the historical significance of the photo?
- Why is this photo iconic?
- How reliable is this photo for telling us more about whatever it is?
- What value do photographs have?
- What mood is captured in the photo?
LET’S USE THE PHOTO BELOW AS OUR EXAMPLE
The Kent University Shooting (1970) Photograph by John Filo, a student photographer, who captured Mary Ann Vecchio crying out and kneeling over a fatally wounded Jeffrey Miller.
The Kent University Shooting (1970) Photograph by John Filo, a student photographer, who captured Mary Ann Vecchio crying out and kneeling over a fatally wounded Jeffrey Miller.
ANSWERS
1. Historical context refers to the time and place, and basic knowledge of what happened in that place, just before the photo was taken. Photos are meaningless without Historical context! You have to provide the context, which is to provide the background to the photo.
What is the historical context of this photo?
This photograph was taken at Kent University, in 1970. It was taken against the backdrop of continued student protest in American universities against the country’s involvement in the Vietnam War. When this photo was taken, Nixon had just announced that the US was going to extend its involvement by invading Cambodia.
2. Historical significance refers to the impact that, that event had in History. In other words, what happened after the photograph was taken? This is really the reason why the photograph has any relevance or meaning attached to it, because it captured that turning point in history and signifies a change in the course of events. Some photo- graphs are, as a result, quite iconic because of the role that they have played in highlighting an event, person or place.
What is the historical significance of the photo?
This photograph captures the horror of a shooting on a university campus, by the same national guard sworn to protect those students. When the army started shooting its own citizens the tide of support turned against the government. As a result of the army’s involvement, and subsequent shootings, more protests occurred across the country, which increased pressure and forced the government to withdraw from the war in Vietnam. This photograph marks the beginning of the end of the US’s involvement in Vietnam and Nixon’s administration.
3. Iconic Photographs
A photograph is iconic because it is representative of an event (context), symbolic of change (significance) and has reached a wide audience (famous).
Why is this photo (above) considered to be Iconic?
This photo is iconic because it came to represent the student protests of the 1960s and 1970s in the USA, against the war in Vietnam. It has since become the symbol of a hopeful nation's lost youth and the power of youth augmenting for political change. Finally, it is famous because Filo's photograph was printed on the front page of Time Magazine and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize.
4. The Reliability of a Photograph
You have to talk to ORIGIN, PURPOSE, LIMITATIONS and VALUE
It is quite acceptable to answer under those headings, or alternatively, to answer in a full paragraph.
ORIGIN: this is the very beginning of the source!
Out of whose mouth did it originate? Or whose pen did the words flow? Or which photographer took the photo? Who gave 'birth' to the source? To answer this, you need to provide a who, when, where and what about the origin.
NB: the origin is NOT the website, or book, where you found the source.
PURPOSE: this is the reason for the source!
Why did they say it? Why was it written? Why does it exist?
To answer this, you use verbs! Generally speaking someone says or writes or takes a photo for the following reasons: to warn, to predict, to boast, to encourage, to motivate, to blackmail, to announce, to respond (to something) and to challenge, etc.
LIMITATIONS: these are the things you need to take into consideration!
Ø Be aware that photos can be altered!
People or things can be cut out of a photo. With today’s modern technology, pictures can be digitally manipulated. These features affect both the meaning and validity of the photo.
Ø Be aware that photos can be posed!
If a photograph is posed, this may not reflect the reality of a situation. Also, people behave differently in front of a camera, so it may not be true representation of emotions and events.
Ø Be aware of captions!
Captions can mislead you. They can distort and influence events in the photo, this changes the meaning.
Ø Be aware of motive!
Why did the photographer take this photo? What message is he trying to send? What is his intention? Is he subjective or objective? Is there apparent bias in the photo? Has the photograph been used for propaganda purposes?
When you answer this question, don't just say there is bias or it is one-sided, or that it is posed or has a caption. Explain what, or how, it is biased and one-sided, posed or how the caption influences it, and even provide an example/quote from the source.
5. The value of photographs
Mention that it is a Primary Source, it comes from the actual time that is being studied and as such, it captures a moment in time forever! Photographs support other sources e.g. Documents, records, music, eye-witness accounts and diaries. Photographs are visual representations of events in history that allow us to better understand that time, place and event in history.
What value does this photograph have?
Filo’s photo is a primary source capturing the horror of a home shooting. This photo supports eye-witness accounts and other records from the student protest. It also helps us to understand the shock that the nation felt at the home guards’ actions and the subsequent anger towards Nixon’s administration. It also helps us understand the anger of the students towards the government and the country’s involvement in Vietnam.
6. The mood of a photograph
Photographs are emotive by nature. They capture human emotions as well as actions. Generally speaking, photographs that show anger reflect a violent mood, or photos that show sorrow reflect a sombre mood, or photos that show laughing reflect a joyful mood.
What mood is captured in this photo?
The mood is reflected in the disbelief and surprise on the girl’s face. The mood therefore is one of shock and horror at the events that have transpired. There is also a mood of fear, people are running in different directions to escape the bullets.
1. Historical context refers to the time and place, and basic knowledge of what happened in that place, just before the photo was taken. Photos are meaningless without Historical context! You have to provide the context, which is to provide the background to the photo.
What is the historical context of this photo?
This photograph was taken at Kent University, in 1970. It was taken against the backdrop of continued student protest in American universities against the country’s involvement in the Vietnam War. When this photo was taken, Nixon had just announced that the US was going to extend its involvement by invading Cambodia.
2. Historical significance refers to the impact that, that event had in History. In other words, what happened after the photograph was taken? This is really the reason why the photograph has any relevance or meaning attached to it, because it captured that turning point in history and signifies a change in the course of events. Some photo- graphs are, as a result, quite iconic because of the role that they have played in highlighting an event, person or place.
What is the historical significance of the photo?
This photograph captures the horror of a shooting on a university campus, by the same national guard sworn to protect those students. When the army started shooting its own citizens the tide of support turned against the government. As a result of the army’s involvement, and subsequent shootings, more protests occurred across the country, which increased pressure and forced the government to withdraw from the war in Vietnam. This photograph marks the beginning of the end of the US’s involvement in Vietnam and Nixon’s administration.
3. Iconic Photographs
A photograph is iconic because it is representative of an event (context), symbolic of change (significance) and has reached a wide audience (famous).
Why is this photo (above) considered to be Iconic?
This photo is iconic because it came to represent the student protests of the 1960s and 1970s in the USA, against the war in Vietnam. It has since become the symbol of a hopeful nation's lost youth and the power of youth augmenting for political change. Finally, it is famous because Filo's photograph was printed on the front page of Time Magazine and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize.
4. The Reliability of a Photograph
You have to talk to ORIGIN, PURPOSE, LIMITATIONS and VALUE
It is quite acceptable to answer under those headings, or alternatively, to answer in a full paragraph.
ORIGIN: this is the very beginning of the source!
Out of whose mouth did it originate? Or whose pen did the words flow? Or which photographer took the photo? Who gave 'birth' to the source? To answer this, you need to provide a who, when, where and what about the origin.
NB: the origin is NOT the website, or book, where you found the source.
PURPOSE: this is the reason for the source!
Why did they say it? Why was it written? Why does it exist?
To answer this, you use verbs! Generally speaking someone says or writes or takes a photo for the following reasons: to warn, to predict, to boast, to encourage, to motivate, to blackmail, to announce, to respond (to something) and to challenge, etc.
LIMITATIONS: these are the things you need to take into consideration!
Ø Be aware that photos can be altered!
People or things can be cut out of a photo. With today’s modern technology, pictures can be digitally manipulated. These features affect both the meaning and validity of the photo.
Ø Be aware that photos can be posed!
If a photograph is posed, this may not reflect the reality of a situation. Also, people behave differently in front of a camera, so it may not be true representation of emotions and events.
Ø Be aware of captions!
Captions can mislead you. They can distort and influence events in the photo, this changes the meaning.
Ø Be aware of motive!
Why did the photographer take this photo? What message is he trying to send? What is his intention? Is he subjective or objective? Is there apparent bias in the photo? Has the photograph been used for propaganda purposes?
When you answer this question, don't just say there is bias or it is one-sided, or that it is posed or has a caption. Explain what, or how, it is biased and one-sided, posed or how the caption influences it, and even provide an example/quote from the source.
5. The value of photographs
Mention that it is a Primary Source, it comes from the actual time that is being studied and as such, it captures a moment in time forever! Photographs support other sources e.g. Documents, records, music, eye-witness accounts and diaries. Photographs are visual representations of events in history that allow us to better understand that time, place and event in history.
What value does this photograph have?
Filo’s photo is a primary source capturing the horror of a home shooting. This photo supports eye-witness accounts and other records from the student protest. It also helps us to understand the shock that the nation felt at the home guards’ actions and the subsequent anger towards Nixon’s administration. It also helps us understand the anger of the students towards the government and the country’s involvement in Vietnam.
6. The mood of a photograph
Photographs are emotive by nature. They capture human emotions as well as actions. Generally speaking, photographs that show anger reflect a violent mood, or photos that show sorrow reflect a sombre mood, or photos that show laughing reflect a joyful mood.
What mood is captured in this photo?
The mood is reflected in the disbelief and surprise on the girl’s face. The mood therefore is one of shock and horror at the events that have transpired. There is also a mood of fear, people are running in different directions to escape the bullets.
EXAMPLE OF AN ICONIC PHOTOGRAPH THAT WAS ACTUALLY ALTERED AND MANIPULATED FOR A PURPOSE:
Russian soldiers waving the Soviet flag on the roof the Reichstag in July 1945
This photograph was taken during the 'liberation' of Berlin. The Soviet troops are believed to have plundered and pillaged Berlin in 1945. This photograph was not published at the time, but years later, after it had been altered.... The editor-in-chief of Russian Magazine Ogoniok, removed a soldier’s watch as they raised the soviet flag atop the German Reichstag building during WWII. The reason? If you look closely, the soldier has a watch on his other hand as well. This suggests that ‘looting’ may have occurred before this photo was taken. The editor also added more (darker) smoke in the background for a greater dramatic effect. [Source: fourandsix.com]
Russian soldiers waving the Soviet flag on the roof the Reichstag in July 1945
This photograph was taken during the 'liberation' of Berlin. The Soviet troops are believed to have plundered and pillaged Berlin in 1945. This photograph was not published at the time, but years later, after it had been altered.... The editor-in-chief of Russian Magazine Ogoniok, removed a soldier’s watch as they raised the soviet flag atop the German Reichstag building during WWII. The reason? If you look closely, the soldier has a watch on his other hand as well. This suggests that ‘looting’ may have occurred before this photo was taken. The editor also added more (darker) smoke in the background for a greater dramatic effect. [Source: fourandsix.com]
For some really interesting reading, go to http://www.fourandsix.com/photo-tampering-history/ to see how and why photographs can be manipulated and falsely represented.