Decoding Photographs

Why Decode a Photograph?
 A photograph reflects the codes, values,
beliefs and culture of the photographer, as
well as time during which it was created.
 The meaning we find in a photograph is
similarly influenced by our culture, values
and beliefs.
 The viewer must take an active role in its
interpretation.

Questions to Ask
 To decode a photograph, it is useful to
follow a methodical process consisting of
four stages:
 Describing
 Analyzing
 Interpreting
 Evaluating

Describing
 Note essential, factual information.
 Does the photograph have a title?
 Who is the photographer?
 When and where was the photograph taken?
 Describe subject matter.
 List facts.
 Finally, look at the elements of art.
 How are these used in the photograph?

Excerpted from: Decoding Photographs, By Laura McCoy, visual arts teacher

Newsies at Skeeter Branch, St. Louis, Missouri, 11:00 am, May 9,
1910
Lewis W. Hine (American, 1874–1940)
Gelatin silver print

Analyzing
 What can you learn from the clues in the photo?
 What draws your eye immediately?
 Look closely the details. What information can
they give you?
 What is going on in the picture?
 Do you see any writing in the photo? Are there
recognizable buildings or landmarks?
 What time of day does it seem to be?
 Finally, how do the various elements work
together?


Interpreting
 Draw conclusions about the photograph.
 What is happening in the photograph?
 What is the photographer trying to say?
 A photographer uses the boundaries of the
photograph as a frame to focus on some things
and leave other things out.
 How do these decisions affect the meaning?
 Do some research in order to discover the
historical context of the photograph.
 Think critically; do not simply accept the image
as a true representation of something that
actually happened.

Evaluating
 The final stage of your decoding is an
evaluation.
 What do you think about the work?
 Make a judgment about the value, the
significance and the importance of the
photograph.
 What does it add to your knowledge of the
subject?


Newsies: Out after midnight selling extras.
There were many young boys selling very late. Youngest boy in the group is 9
years old. Harry, age 11, Eugene and the rest were a little older. Washington, D.C.

Newsies: Newsboy asleep on stairs with papers. Jersey City,
New W. Hine
LewisJersey. (American, 1874–1940)
Gelatin silver print

Newsies: Michael McNelis, age 8, a newsboy [seen with photographer
Hine]. has just recovered from his second attack of pneumonia. Was
This boy
found selling papers in a big rain storm. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tobacco Harvesting, Valle de Viñales (Cuba 2002) Manuel Rivera-
Ortiz
Describe • Analyze • Interpret • Evaluate

Decoding Photographs

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Decoding Photographs