Reading Assessment 1

Describing Photographs

Description contains specifics of a picture or a body of work; it goes from technical information related with the numbers defining exposure, shutter speed, aperture, quantity or reproductions, the date, frame also the price. Specifics as the medium, for example if it is digital or film, the scale, technique or creative process, the author’s name and inspirations, a possible concept, the style, an artist statement. Sometimes comparison may take place. How the audience perceives the work. The way the artists approach his work and what is the intention or the motive. If the work could be describe as abstract or documentary, candid or stage work, etc.

Subject may be a reason for an image; the subject is specific while the Subject Matter opens a door to different opinions, an interpretation or intention. It can be abstract and the composition of the subject a representation, a motive.

Form is an element that could represent shape, the display or arrangement and the composition of a body of work. Form is also the way the work was accomplished and how it is presented to the audience.

Medium refers to the specific material is being use by the artist to express his creativity. It could be a combination of different materials to convey the artist expression.

Style is the artist choice to express himself or his art. It may combine several ways directly related with the author’s skills, experiences and ways to represent it. Author should be recognized by their style.

Comparing & Contrasting

I would describe it as two different methods to judge a body of work. Comparing would be between two similar images, or not while contrasting would describe characteristics between different or opposite.

Internal and Internal Sources of Information

Internal information conveys data related very close to the author’s background, personality, experiences and motive. External is more about sources from press releases, previous work, critiques, and interviews.

Description & Interpretation

Description is accomplished by detailing different elements of an image while interpretation represents the meaning of the elements; it could be positive or negative, relevant or not for the author or the audience.

Description & Evaluation

Again description is the detail or specific about an image versus evaluation that determines the value, the artist approval, and the validation from the viewer.

I found this reading very informative; examples add valid information to identify Barrett’s intention. Barrett offers the reader remarkable information and examples of very important photographers, he encourage and inspire his audience.