CRITIQUING PHOTOGRAPHY
Descriptive: This photo by James St. John is of a fossil. This photo is descriptive because it not only shows the detailed structure of the fossil, but also gives insight into what life was like in the past by preserving the physical remains of an ancient organism.
Explanatory: This photograph I took shows my neighbor demonstrating how to properly hold a bow and arrow for archery. It explains a process through visual instruction.
Interpretive: This photograph, taken by Myron Rosenberg, depicts a baby swaddled and tied to a board. The image prompts viewers to question the photographer’s intent and reflect on the possible meaning behind it. It evokes curiosity about the cultural, historical, or symbolic context, leaving room for interpretation.
Aesthetically Evaluative: This photograph I took is aesthetically evaluative since it beautifully showcases the sun's rays shining through a smoky forest.
Ethically Evaluative: This photograph is of Jan Rose Kasmir confronting the American National Guard outside the Pentagon in Washington during the 1967 anti-Vietnam march. This photo was taken by Marc Riboud.
Theoretical: This photograph I took is theoretical because I used kaleidoscopic glasses to intentionally alter and abstract the view of my stained glass flower lamp, exploring how light, color, and perception can be transformed through optical distortion.
Multimodal Presentation
In my presentation, I talked about the work of Bill Brandt, a British photographer who focused on everyday life in England. I chose two of his photos from 1937: Northumbrian coal miner eating his evening meal and Children in Sheffield. Both pictures show working-class life in a real and powerful way. Brandt used natural light, strong shadows, and close framing to make his photos feel emotional and meaningful. He didn’t just take pictures to show what things looked like, but also to help people feel something about the subject. His work is both descriptive and interpretive because it shows the setting clearly while also creating mood and meaning. These photos help us understand what life was like for people at that time and why it matters.
Looking at Bill Brandt’s work changed the way I think about photography. I used to think it was mostly about capturing cool or nice-looking images, but Brandt’s photos made me realize photography can tell real stories and show emotions. His photos are artistic, but they also feel true and personal. Now I see photography as a way to make people think and feel, not just look.