Reading Assessment 1

1. What is the author’s thesis? The thesis of the author is“Careful descriptive accounts by insightful critics using carefully constructed language offer the kind of informed discourse about photographs that increase our understanding and appreciation of photographs.” (Barret pg.36)
2. What examples does he use to support the thesis? Barrett supports this thesis when he breaks down the core principles of photograph description; how they are factual, critical, a part of data-gathering processes. He goes further to mention how description is determined heavily by interpretation and how, when combined together, form proper analysis of the art.

3. In your own words, how does Barrett define:
1. Description is a compiled bit of information about the piece, created from our own opinion as well as the factual information pertaining to it. Through description, critics strive to portray to readers all they know and believe to be about the art in question.
2. Subject and Subject Matter The subject is the internal theme of the work, it’s message to the viewer, whereas the subject matter has to do with whatever is actually being displayed be it people, a location, etc.
3. Form is how the media is presented, how it is composed together be it in an organized fashion or in disarray.
4. Medium refers to the building blocks of the photograph, and is a common term across all sectors of art and expression. The medium tends to offer a greater insight into artist’s drive and inspiration.
5. Style is like a calling card, a way of making your work your own. This requires extensive knowledge about what is being photographed in order to make sure the incorporation of their style does not downplay the overall composition of the piece.

4. In your own words, summarize what Barrett means when he refers to:
1. Comparing and Contrasting is something that comes naturally to us. It’s common to read a book and say “This was a lot like that time when…” or “This is starkly different from…” This practice is no different in photography, however Barrett seems to voice that in order to properly make comparisons and contractions between photographs, the critic in question needs to be familiar with the media they are comparing to.
2. Internal and External Sources of Information has to do with how a critic analyses the work in question. External research tend to give more information into the methods used to create the piece and the reasoning for the creator’s doing so, whereas internal research tends to be more rooted in interpretation.
5. In your own words, summarize Barrett’s position on the relationship between:
1. Description and Interpretation Barrett’s words show description and interpretation as being akin to day and night - both can not exist without the other but neither are exactly the same. Description is the way we share our opinion to the world, however interpretation is how we take the work we see and turn it into our own opinions.
2. Description and Evaluation Evaluation is how we take our opinion and weave it into something almost measurable, with positive and negative facets. The description would then be how we relay that interpretation to others.
6. Write a concluding paragraph that includes:
1. Summary of at least two other points you think the author was trying to make
2. Two things you learned from this reading
3. What is the author’s conclusion?
4. Your reaction to the materia

Barrett’s writing focused on conveying that, in order to properly value and critic photography, you must be able to use the photographer’s past work as a reference point for the piece, as well as what to look for in a photograph in order to understand what the piece is trying to convey. I never truly appreciated just how complex the photograph was, the difference between subject and subject matter, interpretation and evaluation, etc. Additionally it was interesting to know just how in depth research should be, and how it breaks down into a type of internal and external research paths. Ultimately the author’s conclusionary message was how the ability to properly analyze a photograph, from the obvious subject to the more elusive minutiae, are necessary in order to make a complete evaluation of the piece. That understanding then reflects in how an individual, much like a critic, relays this information to others who may not be aware of its intricacies. I personally found the reading quite interesting, as it went into aspects of photography that I had not yet considered, and helped create a guide for having a more thought provoking - as well as memorable - trip upon visiting a gallery.