“It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning.”
― Vincent Van Gogh
Many years ago, in my college fine arts class, I learned how to analyze a piece of artwork — subjectively.
According to Wiktionary, subjective is defined as: “Formed, as in opinions, based upon a person’s feelings or intuition, not upon observation or reasoning; coming more from within the observer than from observations of the external environment.”
“It’s all a matter of perception,” my fine arts professor explained in a monotone voice. That’s why two individuals can hear a story and have different versions of what happened.
Like the age-old phrase, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”, the same expression applies to analyzing the many art forms.
Over the years, I’ve developed an art appreciation, not merely for its quality, but also for its profound meaning.
For example, I wrote a free verse poem entitled, “The Sleeping Bayou." It's my subjective description of what a Louisiana Bayou is like.
Bayou Defined
" A bayou is a body of water typically found in a flat, low-lying area. It may refer to an extremely slow-moving stream, river (often with a poorly defined shoreline), marshy lake, wetland, or creek. They typically contain brackish water highly conducive to fish life and plankton. Bayous are commonly found in the Gulf Coast region of the southern United States, especially in the Mississippi River Delta, though they also exist elsewhere."
Here is an excerpt from that particular poem:
“The bayou’s atmosphere is
serene and devoid of activity,
but even in its muteness; it
makes beautiful, quiet music.
Shh! Listen to the melody
of the sleeping bayou.“
Now, a different Louisiana Bayou observer might say, ” I don’t hear any music at all.” But what I heard was not music as we know it, but it was a perception of music.
The sounds from chirping birds, wind rustling through moss-filled trees, and the screeching cries of eagles and hawks are similar to the musical melodies in a symphony.
Again, it’s all about perception.
My visual observation of the photographic image activated my analytical thinking skills. I was then able to form a sound conclusion and write an essay to reveal my findings.
I will convey my analysis using artistic terminology based on my first impression and visual interpretation of the work of art.
Here is a short descriptive essay on my observation of the photographic image in the photo:
Upon first glance, the photograph depicts an image of a fully-developed, red tropical plant with a hint of yellow hue on its oddly-shaped, pointed edges.
Its vibrant, complementary colors are aesthetically appealing, bearing a striking resemblance to my favorite childhood confection — Candy Corn.
"Candy corn is a small, pyramid-shaped candy, typically divided into three sections of different colors, with a waxy texture and a flavor based on honey, sugar, butter, and vanilla."
By Evan-Amos – Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12011817
In the photographic image of an exotic plant, the photographer skillfully captured a close-up focus of the image and flawlessly executed the technique of exaggerated scale.
Exaggerated scale renders the illusion that the object is disproportionate to its original size. This action forces the viewer to fixate on the image to scrutinize its components.
I noticed that the image’s attributes were visually appealing, thus, evoking my curiosity and a desire for a deeper exploration of the image.
The photographic image showcases the beauty of art. It motivates creative enthusiasts to broaden their scope of knowledge of not only traditional art, but a modern form of art—the photographic image.
Crafting an essay about interpreting a photographic image can successfully be accomplished using these steps:
- Develop analytical thinking skills (carefully examine, pay attention to detail)
- Carefully observe the image’s components (e.g., colors, shape, unique features, photography skills)
- Learn how to use imagery (use descriptive terms, and symbols to convey your point)
- Never borrow someone else’s interpretation, but use your own perception ( that’s what makes us all unique).
Finally…
Get started on your journey to interpreting your first image.
And, have a blast with this fantastic form of art—the photographic image.
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