Photography: homework 2 denotative analysis

1. Denotative Analysis
&
Making Links

2.  Denotations refer to what you can literally see.
 When you are describing an image there is
specialist terminology to help you make analytical
comments.
 These include analysis of:
 Composition
 Viewpoint
 Space
 Imagery
 Texture
 Tone
 Colour

3. The marking criteria requires you to make links between
your own practical work, and the photographs of other
artists. You will not score highly if you do not do this.
It is important you make these links both visually, and
theoretically. You can also make links to experimental
styles. These links are important because they will give
you inspiration and ideas as well as a depth of
knowledge.
From now on we will be encouraging you to carefully
select images for analysis which tie in with your current
practical work – therefore there must be a REASON for
your choice.

4.  Your briefs will give you starting points
 The library has lots of good Photography books.
 The online resource image library (INFORM).
 The Directory of Photographers (INFORM).
 Asking your teacher for ideas.
 Asking your peers for ideas.
 Exhibitions/Gallery Visits.
 Magazines/Journals such as the Portfolio Catalogue.
 Websites such as www.magnumphotos.com (There
is a list of useful websites on the Directory also.)

5. DENOTATIONS

6. Jonas Bendiksen
NEPAL. Achham District. 2004. Female rebels break out in a smile
during a training exercise. About one-third of the Maoist fighting forces
are young women.

7. Elliott Erwitt

8. Link to ‘The One Show –
Carol Vorderman’
via ClickView – NEED
SPEAKERS

9. Robert Capa Steve McCurry

10. .
Stuart Franklin David Maisel

11. Ken O’Hara Aaron Siskind

12. Tom Hunter & Bert Hardy

13. Diane Arbus Jerry Uelsmann Werner Bischof

14. Eve Arnold
Micha Bar Am
High Security Prison at Beer-Sheva.

16. High Key Low Key
Contrasty Flat
Balanced

17. Saturation:
Value:
Complementary:
•Primary, secondary, tertiary
•Hue

18. Joel Meyerowitz
David LaChapelle

19. Ansel Adams
Is the texture in the subject
matter or has it been added?

20.  Get a good quality version of your chosen image and
source it fully.
 Write some biographical notes on the photographer’s
background. Use your own words.
 Explain what you know about the photograph from
your research. Use your own words.
 Describe which genre the image fits into.
 Comment on what you think about the image.
 Aim for between 200-400 words

21.  Select an image which links with your chosen theme from Brief
Two and do everything you did for Homework 1.
PLUS
 Explain WHY you chose it, how does it LINK to your work?
 Analyse what is denoted within your selected image, use the
terminology you learnt appropriately.
 Summarise how effective you think the image is visually and
why.
 Aim for between 200-400 words
Extension Task:
 Add further image(s) of relevant artist research. Include the
source, and a few comments/bullet points on why you’re
including it/them and stick them in your sketchbook.