This document provides an overview of describing art and photography. It discusses focusing descriptions on the subject matter, medium, and form based on what can be seen in the work. Descriptions should start simply and directly by identifying obvious elements, then peel back layers to notice new details. External information like facts around the work can also influence interpretations. The document advises keeping descriptions simple and reflective of one's own perspective rather than using flowery language. Examples of photographers like Ansel Adams, Sally Mann, Steve McCurry, and Gregory Crewdson are provided.

1. Writing Art Criticism
Ch. 3 Describing Art

2. What we will do today
 Literature Review (Criticizing Art Ch. 3)
 Introduction to Photography
 Describe Art: Photography
 Sally Mann
 Ansel Adams

3. Writing Art Criticism: Describing Art
 “Describing is a kind of verbal pointing a critic does so that features of a work of art will be noticed
and appreciated” (Barrett, 2013)
 Two flows of information
 Internal information
 External information

4. For Instance…
In this photograph, I see trees, grass, dirt, a body of
water, but of what kind, I am not sure, the sky,
possibly, and some sort of structure on the hill, but
it is unclear to me on first glance what the
structure is.
When describing a work of art, especially one as
“formal” as this, it is best to start your description
at a very basic and obvious level. I call this the first
layer. we must identify and peel away this layer to
begin to see even more of the art. Repeat this
process several times, as you may continue to
notice new and interesting aspects of the art you
are attempting to describe.

5. Writing Art Criticism: Describing Art
Internal Information
 Barrett groups this flow of information into three categories:
 Subject matter
 Refers to the people, objects, places and events in a work of art
 Different from ideas within a work of art
 Medium
 The material, etc…by which the art was created
 Form
 Composition, arrangement and visual construction
External Information
 Facts which surround the art and have the ability to influence how it is seen
 Personal Experience is a source of external information

6. What I expect when describing art
 Focus only on what you can describe
 Keep it simple and direct at first
 Complicating your description can muddle your interpretations
 Your description is only yours, let the language in your writing reflect that…Avoid the following:
 This multimedia…piece shocks us with its high color and design contrasts. Bright vertical pointed oranges draw us
into the focal point of this large-scale work, which engages our attention and calls for serious thought or
meditation…” Requiem critique by David Anthony Garcia from Criticizing Art
 Research and explore other descriptions to see if you might have missed something then go back
and “see” it for yourself before including it…just to make sure it is there!

8. Ansel Adams
Half Dome, Blowing Snow, Yosemite c.
1955

10. Sally Mann
Family Pictures, 1984-1991

12. Steve McCurry
Afghanistan

14. Sally Mann
Southern Landscapes, Georgia, 1996

16. Gregory Crewdson
From: Twilight