RESOURCES
Decoding Photographs : Representation and Interpretation, Decoding the Photograph, Questions to Ask
Photographs..can teach us a great deal about historical events. A photograph is a representation of something real; at the same time, it is something created by the photographer. It is never a neutral representation. 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. When using a photograph for historical research, the viewer must take an active role in its interpretation. This is a decoding, rather than a passive act of looking.
- quote, Laura McCoyIdeas
Includes most of the major world events and personalities from the Spanish Civil War to the present day.The Magnum Photos library is a living archive updated daily with new work from across the globe. There are approximately one million photographs in both print and transparency in the physical library, with 350,000 images available online. Some photos are free to view online, require a membership. Check their Magnum In Motion online essays that add new dimensions to the traditional photographic narrative, using a combination of photos, audio, video, graphics, and interactivity.
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Seeing through a photojournalist's eyes
(download sheet)
Observation |
Knowledge |
Interpretation |
Describe exactly what you see in the photograph. What people & objects do you see? |
What do you know about this time period or event? Fill in as much as you know, below. |
What can you conclude from what you see in this photograph? |
What activities do you see? |
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What questions has the photograph raised? |
What is the place and time? |
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What is missing from the photograph? |
Is it posed or candid? A critical event or an everyday shot? |
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Further Research
Now find more information about the subject of your photograph in books and on the internet so you can explain it to the class.
What the important story behind the photograph? |
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When, why, where did it take place? |
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Why did the photojournalist choose to capture this subject on film? |
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What problems might the photographer have in setting up the shot |
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Why do you find this photograph to be personally compelling? |
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What makes this photograph which is ____ years old or more interesting to a modern audience? |
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James Nachtwey's searing photos of war | Video on TED.com
For the past three decades, James Nachtwey has devoted himself to documenting wars, conflicts and critical social issues, working in El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, Indonesia, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, South Africa, Russia, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kosovo, Romania, Brazil and the United States.
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