1. OPTIC Photo Analysis

2. OPTIC It’s an acronym and a method for analyzing images! Overview
Parts
Title
Images/Interrelationships
Conclusion

3. The Holocaust Memorial Center presents a series of paintings by Samuel Pruchno, a survivor of the Holocaust. The image above is a detail from Mr. Pruchno’s “Roll Call,” when the Nazi captors would demand a physical accounting of each inmate.

4. Overview
Describe what you see: write one sentence describing anything recognizable and its purpose in the visual. Include information about the category (painting, photograph, poster, advertisement, etc), the period (era) of the setting, and anything that is occurring.
EX: The painting above portrays the physical roll call which would occur frequently in the concentration camps during WWII; individuals would be made to stand in straight lines for any given length of time while everyone was accounted for.

5. PARTS Rows of prisoners blue uniforms 14 groupings of several rows
Color(s)
Placement
Attitude
Size   
 Rows of prisoners
  blue uniforms
 14 groupings of several rows
 standing straight, all uniform, hard to see faces
 very small, viewed as groups rather than individuals
SS Guards
 in green uniforms, long coats
 individuals scattered around the perimeter
 official, important
Small, but easier to identify
Barbed Wire/Electric Fence
 white, silver
 placed around the area of the prison yard
 seems to be preventing escape
 due to angle of painting, only bits seen

6. TItle
“Roll Call,” taken by Samuel Pruchno, a survivor of the Holocaust. The image above is a detail from Mr. Pruchno’s “Roll Call,” when the Nazi captors would demand a physical accounting of each inmate.

7. Images/Interrelationships
Determine the relationships between parts. What are the relationships between the images? In other words, how the parts are related, both to one another and the image as a whole. Consider how the parts come together to create a mood or convey an idea or argument.
Captivity
Perseverence
SS guards hold power over prisoners in blue uniforms
Prisoners in blue remain in erect positions
Barbed wire surrounding perimeter holds prisoners within the camp, preventing and deterring escape
Little blatant interaction among the guards and prisoners

8. Conclusion
Write a conclusion paragraph about the image as a whole: think about what the artist, photographer, creator, or designer might be trying to capture and convey, and what ideas, arguments, or implications this image presents.
EX: As a survivor of the Holocaust himself, Samuel Pruchno manages to portray one of the most commonly referred to instances of life in a concentration camp: the roll call. Prisoners would be awoken at any hour of the morning/night and lined up in straight, uniform lines, such as those depicted in the painting. Inmates would remain in an erect position for as long as it took SS guards to physically account for all bodies, dead or alive. Barbed wire fences surrounded the perimeter of the prison yard to prevent prisoners from escape.

9. The Experimental Injection by David Olère
The Experimental Injection by David Olère. A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, New York. The infamous Dr. Mengele administers an injection as terrified prisoners look on.
OPTIC