Overview
Concise reference for analyzing photographs in IB English Language and Literature. Covers types, intentions, and visual elements with key terms.
Types of Photography
- Abstract: emphasizes line and shape over recognizable objects.
- Content: subject, topic, or information within the image.
- Direct approach: straightforward capture without distortion or unusual angles.
- Documentary: records a place, person(s), or event as primary purpose.
- Expressive: aims to create an impression or mood.
- Geometric shapes: circles, squares, rectangles, triangles used in composition.
- Intention: reason(s) the photographer made the image.
- Landscape: photograph of the natural environment.
- Objective: point of view limiting personal bias with fair consideration.
- Organic shapes: forms based on nature like trees, mountains, leaves.
- Subject: main object or person(s) in a photograph.
- Theme: central or unifying aspect across a body of work.
Visual Elements: Angle, Background, Balance
- Angle: vantage point from which a photo is taken; includes eye-level, low, and high.
- Background: area towards the back; foreground elements can direct focus.
- Balance: distribution of visual elements; symmetry is even, asymmetry uneven.
Visual Elements: Focus, Depth, Exposure
- Bokeh: blurred background that emphasizes subject, common in portraits.
- Depth of field: distance between nearest and farthest sharp subjects in scene.
- Exposure: amount of light entering sensor; too much overexposes, too little underexposes.
Visual Elements: Composition and Framing
- Composition: arrangement of formal elements within the image.
- Framing: choosing what to include/exclude to direct attention to subject.
Visual Elements: Color and Tone
- Warm colors: red, orange, yellow; cool colors: green, blue, violet.
- Saturation: color intensity; lightness: how light/dark the color is.
- Grayscale: image with shades of gray; offers warmer effect than pure black/white.
- Contrast: difference between light and dark areas; high contrast has deep blacks and bright whites.
Visual Elements: Contour, Lines, Light
- Contour: outline of objects; can create mood such as melancholy or isolation.
- Lines: objects can act as lines indicating outline, direction, movement, energy.
- Light: includes direction, source (natural/flash), hardness, exposure, time of day.
Visual Elements: Focal Point, Setting, Texture
- Focal point: where the eye first lands in the photograph.
- Setting: physical surroundings or scenery, real or constructed.
- Texture: tactile quality suggested by the image’s surface details.
Technical Element: Shutter Speed
- Shutter speed: duration the camera shutter is open; fast speed short exposure, slow long exposure.
- Fast speed: freezes motion; slow speed: motion blur if subject moves.
Key Terms & Definitions
| Term | Definition | Notes/Examples |
|---|
| Abstract | Emphasizes formal elements over recognizable objects | Line and shape prioritized |
| Content | Subject, topic, or information in image | Includes setting details |
| Direct approach | Straightforward capture without unusual angles | Minimizes distortion |
| Documentary | Records place, person(s), or event | Informational purpose |
| Expressive | Creates impression or mood | Mood/atmosphere led |
| Geometric shapes | Simple geometric forms | Circles, squares, triangles |
| Intention | Photographer’s reason(s) for image | Guides interpretation |
| Landscape | Natural environment photograph | Outdoors focus |
| Objective | Minimizes bias, fair regard to info | Neutral POV |
| Organic shapes | Nature-based forms | Trees, leaves, mountains |
| Subject | Main object or person(s) | Primary focus |
| Theme | Unifying aspect in body of work | Recurring idea |
| Angle | Vantage point of capture | Eye-level, low, high |
| Background | Part toward the back | Foreground vs background |
| Balance | Distribution of elements | Symmetry vs asymmetry |
| Bokeh | Blurred background | Emphasizes subject |
| Composition | Arrangement of elements | Foreground/background relations |
| Color (warm/cool) | Warm: red/orange/yellow; cool: green/blue/violet | Affects mood |
| Saturation | Intensity of color | High vs low |
| Grayscale | Shades of gray | Warmer effect than pure B/W |
| Contour | Outline of shape/object | Mood effects |
| Contrast | Light-dark difference | High vs low |
| Depth of field | Range of sharp focus | Shallow vs wide |
| Exposure | Light amount on sensor | Over vs underexposed |
| Focal point | First area eye lands | Visual emphasis |
| Framing | Inclusion/exclusion in frame | Directs attention |
| Light | Brightness and shadow qualities | Direction, harsh/soft |
| Lines | Linear elements in scene | Direction/movement |
| Shutter speed | Shutter open duration | Motion freeze/blur |
| Setting | Physical surroundings | Real or constructed |
| Texture | Tactile impression | Surface detail cues |
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice identifying angle, light, and focal point in sample photos.
- Annotate images labeling subject, background, balance, and lines.
- Compare warm vs cool color treatments; note mood differences.
- Experiment with DOF, exposure, and shutter speed; record effects on mood and clarity.