This document provides instructions for an analysis paper on visual storytelling in photography. Students are asked to: 1) Choose two photographers and compare their techniques and aesthetic styles, providing background on each artist and an example work. 2) Describe the visual elements, components, and composition of the example photographs, and analyze the images' contextual meaning and the photographers' intentions. 3) Relate their chosen photographers and photographs to the history of photography and current events, considering social and personal influences. The paper must be a minimum of 1000 words, excluding references and images, and original work is expected without plagiarism.

1. Analysis Paper: Stories and Narratives Photography is more
complicated than click and shoot. It is about telling a story.
Even simple portraits can tell complex narratives. These
photographs convey ideas/concepts/paradigms. Sometimes it is
capturing a specific moment while many times, it is staging a
set or multiple set, or editing multiple images through darkroom
or post-production manipulation. Please browse through these
articles and ted talk for a better understanding of visual
storytelling.
Please write an analysis paper (minimum 1000 words not
counting references and images). Choose two artists from any of
the photographers you have studied or on these lists, compare
them in terms of techniques and aesthetics (styles/looks). Please
make sure you include a bit of their individual background, and
at least one example of each of their work. Make sure you point
out the similarities/differences in the examples you provided.
If you remember to include the following, it is very easy to
come up with the 1000 words…
1. The photographer’s training? What movement/artist/event
influenced your artist?
2. The advance or non-existence of technology during her/his
time.
3. Describe the photographs/images in a formal way: A.
Looking for visual elements: shape, size, texture, line, value,
and space. B. Looking at visual components: focus, light,
repetition, vantage point/angle, balance,
foreground/midground/background space, contour, contrast,
setting, framing/placement. C. Looking at the photographer’s
decisions about the composition (the arrangement of the visual
elements and components) of the photograph.

2. 4. Describe the photograph/image within the context of content.
A. Look for symbols in shapes, objects, color… B. Look for
cultural significance, relationship. C. Look for hidden meanings
(if applicable), social or personal commentary/statement. D.
The historical/social context of the photograph. E. The content
(image and meaning) of the photograph, and the artist’s
intention.
5. Connect your choice of photographers and images to your
understanding of photography history, current world events,
social context, personal taste, etc.
All your Artist Report Exercises and Photograph Analysis
Exercises lead up to this paper. Please write in your own words.
DO NOT PLAEGERIZE. All your exercises were shaped to
prevent plagiarizing. If you are caught, it is an F for the course.
No excuses.