Structure your writing using the following 3 headings:

FORM (What) - ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’What is going on in the art work/photograph? Explain objectively and honestly.

PROCESS (How)What has the artist used to make the art work? Consider the materials and media. If a photograph, what are the lighting considerations? Has it been presented in a special way/ what is it printed on?

CONTENT (Why)Having researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the art work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and why this has been achieved?

Analysing an Image CONTEXT

Understanding the wider context and underlying themes gleaned from research and

used to inform your opinion

RESEARCHResearch using a variety of secondary

sources and collecting comments, quotes and discussion points

QUESTIONINGStart with writing down key words and simple questions to get initial

primary response and raise further areas for research

What? The ArtworkWho? Subject MatterWhere? LocationWhen? Time/PeriodHow? ProcessWhy? Meaning

Books

Periodicals

Magazines

Newspapers

Galleries

Museums

Internet

TV/DVD

Radio

Biographical information about the artist

Political events of the time I.e. wars, suffragettes

Social & Cultural Norms I.e. fashion movements,

Ideologies I.e. Far Right or Liberal

Technology I.e. inventions and means of communication

Art Movements I.e.Bauhaus, Futurism

Quotes & key points by specialists and academics

Consider past work and common trends in career

How does the work fit in to the history of Art & Photography?

Compare other artists and work from the time

Imagine you are trying to explain the art work to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.

Imagine you are recreating this EXACT image. What would you have to consider to achieve this?

Student example 1

It is evident that over time photography has changed and developed. Not only the way a picture is produced, but the colour of the picture and the way the subjects in the pictures are placed have changed. 

In this particular instance, the models in both pictures are placed quite similarly, they are both in a small, tidy group. However, this isn't the case with most pictures. Nowadays people don't seem to be bothered with the different heights or stances of the models so pictures might be very "slap-dash". In times like the 20s, family photos would have reflected things like the family's reputation, so having the perfect picture was extremely important. 

While the positioning of the models and their expressions are too different in these particular pictures, the quality of the print is. The more recent picture, on the left, is a picture taken on a digital camera and has been printed off onto paper. This isn't as good quality as the older picture, on the right, which was taken on an old polaroid camera. Another difference the pictures have is the colours they use. The more modern photo is taken in colour and printed with colour too, but the older picture is printed in black and white. This is because at the time it was taken in 1970, taking pictures in colour hadn't been developed yet.

Student example 2Above is a photo of my dad with his best friends from school around 1977. This photo was taken using an analogue camera, SLR that was developed before print in black and white which, though colour photography was present at the time, makes the photo seem very old and vintage looking. Another factor that adds to the aged look of the photo is the quality. The grainy look is something instantly recognisable as a trait of "vintage" photography and is completely the opposite of the photo of me and my sisters that follows the HD look that modern photography favours.

The large megapixels and powerful sensors of popular cameras such as DSLRs and also the small but mighty cameras found on phones means that high quality clear photos are extremely accessible technology today, unlike the limited quality in the 70s. SLRs that were used had very limited metering and settings so it was harder to adapt to suit the  scene, also there was no digital preview of the shot and underexposed parts of the photo aren't corrected.

The positions of the subjects of the old photo are all face on with the two outer boys' bodies angled outwards slightly. It’s a medium shot, framed from the knees up however this emphasises the height difference between the 3 boys in the photo as the tallest one's head reaches the very top of the frame and you can see how much space is above my dad's head compared to this, which gives it a comical element.

The poses of  the 3 boys give the impression that they are trying to appear cool and trendy, as they each have their hands in their pockets which make them look nonchalant and very casual, in addition to the half smiling and straight face expression. This is different to the modern picture which is quite close up and shows all 3 of us smiling broadly which illustrates happiness and shows us having fun in a more candid way, as opposed to the purposeful posing and positioning of the boys which could be because there was a limited amount of exposures or film to be spent on a picture instead of an endless burst of digital photos.

In the more recent image, the style of picture is a "selfie" which explains the positioning of the subjects- very close together and looking upwards instead of face on, since the camera is facing towards instead of away and held up and pointing down at the subjects from the arm of my sister on the far right which is also why the position isn't completely centred in the frame. The patterned clothing in the modern photo adds to the bright vibrant colouring of the digital, and the background is light and sunny in contrast to the shadowy forest appearance in the old photo. Despite there being dark underexposed areas in the background, it makes the light 70s outfits which feature high-waisted jeans and lots of denim and t-shirts stand out because of the contrasting darkness behind.

Student example 3

The biggest difference between both photos is the way in which each was taken. For example, the first photo has clearly been taken professionally which is evident because of the use of the back drop and the attention paid to lighting. Whereas in the second photo it has been taken using a camera phone which is clear to the "cramming in" of subjects and the lack of attention to detail. Also the subjects eyes are not looking toward the camera but rather the screen of the phone so they can see their expression.

In both images the positioning of the models isn't based on gender but more on size, with the largest people being placed at the back. The clothes worn by the models aren't that different compared to that of the clothes worn by the models in the second photo. This suggests that the two photos weren't taken too far apart. Once again in both photos all the models are smiling which suggests that the camera used was a modern one which meant the models didn't have to stay in the same position for too long.

After asking the owner of the photos i have learned that for her the photo on the right is more precious to her. This is because she felt that a memory was attached to the photo and that it was rather evident that in the photo the subjects are enjoying themselves and having fun. When she looks at the photo a smile is brought to her face as she remembers the joy she felt when the photo was taken unlike the photo on the right which seems as though it has no identity.

TITLE: Le Couple d'amoureux au bal des quatre saisons, rue de LappeDATE: 1932ARTIST: Gyula Halasz aka Brassai (1899-1984)

CONTENTHaving researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the art work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?

FORM / visual contentThis is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ :- describe what is going on in the art work/photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the art work to someone over the telephone: transcribe that message.

PROCESSWhat has the artist used to make the art work? Consider the materials and media. If a photograph, what are the lighting considerations? Has it been presented in a special way I.e. as an installation, size of print?

‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame

KEYWORDSWrite down any key words you associate with this art work.

Brassai was someone considered to have “mythologised Paris as a romantic capital, capturing couples, bar fights, music halls and brothels.” Looking at his work it is clear that he was interested in the lives and behavior of people in a large metropolitan city, choosing to document it as an intimate city, although not afraid to show it’s rough edges. This particular image cleverly manages to convey two points of view, where the lady is smiling contently and lovingly in front of the camera as she hugs her lover, but the mirror shows another, more sinister side, where she appears to be grimacing and ‘keeping up appearances’. It raises questions about how our public and private emotions are constantly challenged by the expectations of society. In this case, the glamour and fashion of the 1930s implied a culture of sophistication that influenced many women of the day.

This is a black & white photograph by Brassai, an influencial French photographer who worked during the early 20th Century (1899-1984). This particular image of his depicts a lady and her lover/partner socialising in a café and chatting over a drink of wine. She appears animated and holding his chest in a very intimate manner, whilst he looks into her eyes and embraces her. The picture was taken indoors and there is a mirror behind them, showing the reflection of the backs of their heads and an alternative angle of her face. There are several lines which draw your eye into the picture, one along the edge of the table leading you to the figures, and one in the top right corner which leads your eye to the couple’s reflection.

The picture is taken from standing height and is angled slightly so that we are looking down at the couple. This allows us to see their reflection in the mirror and have an overview of the scene. The scene may have involved the use of flash as their skin, white clothes and glasses are harshly illuminated and appear flat. The existing light is most probably artificial and low in strength with some natural light from nearby windows. There is little distortion on the face, so he has probably used a standard 50-100 mm lens. The image is cropped very tightly to the figures, so that their bodies and reflection fills the frame, blocking out any information of the scene around them.

ReflectionIntimacySocialIllusionDeception

FLUENT EXAMPLE

TITLE: Le Couple d'amoureux au bal des quatre saisons, rue de LappeDATE: 1932ARTIST: Gyula Halasz aka Brassai (1899-1984)

CONTENTHaving researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the art work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?

FORM (What)This is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ :- describe what is going on in the art work/photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the art work to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.

PROCESSWhat has the artist used to make the art work? Consider the materials and media. If a photograph, what are the lighting considerations? Has it been presented in a special way I.e. as an installation?

‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame

KEYWORDSWrite down any key words you associate with this art work.

I think the work is about a French man and woman who love each other. I find it an really interesting picture and like the composition. They appear to be drinking wine and he is clutching her elbow, whilst she touches his chest. This shows that they really like each other. I would like to be able to take photos that are also of people - I could photograph my friends in a local café drinking tea.

This is a photograph of a man and woman sitting in a café drinking wine. You can see their reflection in the mirror and they are holding each other in an intimate way.

I can only see the woman’s face, not the man’s and they are both wearing old-fashioned clothes.

The photographer has used black and white film and printed it in the darkroom. There is lots of light on their faces and it makes me think it is overexposed.

ManWomanWineMirrorHat

BASIC EXAMPLE

TITLE: DATE: ARTIST:

CONTENTHaving researched further and understood the wider context, discuss the ideas behind the art work and the intentions of the photographer to your best ability. Consider the mood of the work and how this has been achieved?

FORM (What)This is the ‘Mise en Scene (Setting in Scene)’ :- describe what is going on in the art work/photograph? Explain objectively and honestly. Imagine you are trying to explain the art work to someone over the telephone and transcribe that message.

PROCESSWhat has the artist used to make the art work? Consider the materials and media. If a photograph, what are the lighting considerations? Has it been presented in a special way I.e. as an installation?

‘Analysing an Image’ Writing Frame

KEYWORDSWrite down any key words you associate with this art work.

BASIC EXAMPLE