Questions
for interpreting a photograph
From
Criticizing
photographs, an introduction to understanding images by
Terry Barrett
* What is
this object that I see?
* What is
it about?
* What does
it represent or express?
* How does
culture influence its construction?
* What did
it mean to its maker?
* What is
it a part of?
* What are itÕs references?
* What is
it responding to?
* Why did
it come to be?
* How was
it made?
* Within
what tradition does it belong?
* What ends
did it possibly serve its maker?
* What
purpose does it serve its owner or distributor?
* What
pleasures or satisfactions did it afford the person responsible for it?
The persons for whom it was made?
* Whom does
it address? Whom does it ignore?
* What
problems does it solve, allay or cause?
* What
prejudices and preconceptions does it reinforce or disrupt?
* What needs
does it activate or relieve?
* What does
it mean to me?
* Does it affect
my life?
* Does it
change my view of the world?