In schools, students are increasingly asked to write an essay based on photography as examination papers. The main approaches to completing such a task are similar to those when writing an essay on a painting, but in this case there are several nuances that should be taken into account.
Instructions
Step 1
Look closely at the photo, look at it from afar to get a complete impression. Pay attention to seemingly insignificant details, they will tell you more than the main characters. Highlight the semantic center of the photo / If it is in the middle, then everything is simple, but if it is shifted to the right or left, this is a reason to speculate about what prompted the master to arrange objects or characters in this way. Make assumptions why the author of the work chose these particular items, whether there is any connection between them.
Step 2
Pay attention to what color the photo was taken in. Try to take the place of the master and think about what exactly he wanted to express, resorting, for example, to a black and white solution. Remember that there can be no wrong assumptions in such an essay, all sound thoughts and reasoning are welcome. Sometimes the rejection of color allows to emphasize the shape of objects, sometimes it characterizes the emotional component of the work.
Step 3
See where the light hits the objects in the photo. If it falls from the side, then pay attention to the shadows lying on the faces of people and objects, in some cases photographers resort to this technique to show the duality of nature. The light can also be directed at the viewer, in this case, a clear silhouette is obtained in the photo, if so, give a few words to the shape and outlines of the objects.
Step 4
Connect your knowledge of physiognomy if the photo shows a person or several. Discuss in the essay what the nasolabial folds, wrinkles, raised eyebrows of the model can mean. Try to guess what kind of person is in front of you, what he is doing, what his thoughts are about. In this case, you can connect your imagination, come up with his life and describe it in an essay.
Step 5
Draw conclusions at the end of the essay. Write what feelings the photo evokes in you, what memories. Whether you like it or not, what would you change or add in the place of the master.
