The Connection between Interpretation and Composition What do you see? How does it make you feel? AND Why does it make you feel that way? What do you see? How does it make you feel? AND Why does it make you feel that way?

What are the similarities and differences? Mel Bochner, Amazing!, en.shtm Eugen Gomringer, "Silencio" ("Silence"),

First LOOK: Impressions, Observations

Focal Point

Context What’s the story? How do your background, experiences, and knowledge shape what you see? The viewer’s frame of reference The relationships between the parts of the image that work to tell a story that is shaped by the author The narrator’s story What would a witness, historian, or scientist see that we don’t? The expert’s perspective

Context and Story Blood from the shooting remains on the sidewalk where Josue and his sister Katherine wave to a passing ice cream truck. Upon seeing the stains, Josue has said to his mother, ‘A bad man shot me.’ (Barbara Davidson, Los Angeles Times - December 30, 2010)

Interpretation Connect your first impressions with analysis of focal point and context – How does the analysis help you to better justify and explain why you felt the way you did when you first looked at the photograph?

Interpretation and Composition What other aspects of the photograph may have helped shape your interpretation of it?