Seeing Everything in the Picture

corner Always take notice of the entire picture. If you were describing this picture to someone would you have mentioned that the wall in the upper left corner is pealing? This is an important point because it adds to the overall feeling of the images. picture This picture is cropped out of the image. Think about why. Was it not necessary? Was it not important? Does it help give the idea that there is more in the room? Can you tell what it is a picture of? Compare it to the picture hanging above the piano. lamp How do pieces of furniture or appliances fit into the picture? Notice the lamp shade and the textured bottom piece of the lamp. Notice also that coming out of the back of the radio is one cord. Where is the cord for the lamp? Is it electric? Was it just placed here for the picture? Was it turned on for the picture? face Radios were often center pieces of entertainment and decoration before televisions. Did you know this was a radio? In some images, you may need to understand more than you think in order to fully dissect the image. For example, you may be examining social conditions and need this object as a piece of supporting evidence. However, if you could not identify the radio you may miss some valuable aspects of the image. furniture Here is another piece of furniture in addition to the radio. Notice how it is cropped out of the picture, but enough of it is visible to let the viewer know it is there. Can you imagine the rest of the room from what is visible? Does the furniture in the room help you identify the time period in which the picture was taken? picture 2 Notice the picture above the panio. What role do you think deocorative objects such as pictures play for families? What can you learn from this picture within the picture? girl2 The two girls are dressed differently, but both are dressed rather well. What can you infer about the family based on this? Also, what do you notice about the styling of the girls' hair? Is it styled? This girl has her back to the camera. When describing images always try to explain the position of the subjects in relation to the viewer and to other people in the image. Some readers may never actually see the image, so you have to describe it as best as possible for them. She has her back to the camera but we can also see her right arm and hand as well as part of her skirt. However, we cannot see what she is sitting on. Both of the girls have short sleeved shirts on. What season do think it is? What is the weather? Does the temperature as you imagine it match the mood of the picture? face Notice the face of the girl. It is turned 3/4 of the way away from the camera. It is the only face in the image so it works strongly to define the mood of the piece. Is she smiling or are her dimples due to the positioning of her chin on the violin? How would it change the image if you thought she was smiling- or not smiling? cobwebs Often pictures have a single point where your eyes rest after scanning the image. When looking at this picture, where is that point for you? Is it the violin? If so, why? Is it because of the object itself or possibly because she is facing the violin? How do you think the girl learned to play the violin? How do you think she obtained this instrument? pipes with no sound Take notice of the decoration above the door frame. The styling of molding such as door frames can give you hints as to when the house was built. door The open door is an interesting technique that brings the viewers attention into another room without actually showing them anything in the other room. It creates a sense of openness. What do you think is in the other room? piano Examine the detail of the piano? What would you infer about its quality? How do you think the family obtained the piano? side pipes Examine how the sheet music is laid out. This is more than one song. Is there a reason for this? What mood does having sheet music spread across the piano create? How did she learn to read music? Certain things within an image can allow you make an inference about the picture. For example, is the playing the piano something that the child might have learned from a family member or did she have piano lessons?