Study the photograph for 2 minutes. Form an overall impression of the photograph and then examine individual items. Next, divide the photo into quadrants and study each section to see what new details become visible.
This picture gives me more confidence about the oil spill situation.
This picture gives me more confidence about the oil spill situation.
In this picture, I see two men, one black (President Obama) sitting with another white man (National Incident Commander US Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen) at a table. There is "Deepwater Horizon Response" map in the background, along with another map above that one. I also see a picture on the left that looks like men helping with the oil spill. It does not look as if they notice that the picture is being taken. There is an American flag on the left and coffee cups on the table in front of them along with a picture in the right hand corner that I cannot make out. President Obama is making hand motions - he is using his hands to make his point clearer. However, the other man has his hands on the table folded with a pen in his fingers. President Obama looks to be in the middle of a conversation or a statement, he looks to be concerned with the matter with his head is cocked to the side. He may be trying to let the people know that he is well aware of the spill and that it will get better. However, the man looks to be distracted or dazed. He looks to be bored or disappointed. The admiral's body language seems negative, while President Obama's looks to be somewhat positive. The admiral looks to be wearing some sort of uniform, while President Obama is wearing a button up shirt. This looks to be a conference of some sort with the camera right in front of the two men.
I feel that they are being very serious in the matter. President Obama seems to be discussing this in a positive way. He seems to be encouraging the audience that the issue of the oil spill is going to be under control. The admiral; however, looks to be dazed or uninterested in what President Obama is saying.
This picture is obviously taken in the middle of an interview or some sort of conference meeting. President Obama is mid-sentence and the other man looks to be 'out of it'. However, the picture itself is spontaneous. I feel that this is just trying to convey the fact that President Obama was discussing the matter. I am unsure of if he is trying to explain, inform, persuade; however, he looks like he is in deep conversation.
I feel that they are being very serious in the matter. President Obama seems to be discussing this in a positive way. He seems to be encouraging the audience that the issue of the oil spill is going to be under control. The admiral; however, looks to be dazed or uninterested in what President Obama is saying.
This picture is obviously taken in the middle of an interview or some sort of conference meeting. President Obama is mid-sentence and the other man looks to be 'out of it'. However, the picture itself is spontaneous. I feel that this is just trying to convey the fact that President Obama was discussing the matter. I am unsure of if he is trying to explain, inform, persuade; however, he looks like he is in deep conversation.
What questions does the photograph raise? Write at least 3 questions.
- What is President Obama saying? How is he acting?
- Will the Admiral be able to do as he is saying?
- What is the Admiral thinking during this picture?
Obama in deep thought about the oil spill.
Obama sharing information about the oil spill with Admiral Thad Allen.
This website shows a picture with a short description. Then, there is a table to support the observation and analysis, similar to ours, that will help the reader and the viewer better analyze and observe this photo.
How our interpretation differed...in my analysis I thought the photo was staged, because it is at a press conference and President Obama knew that there would be reporters and that they would be taking his picture. But after reading your post I can see how it could be spontaneous too. He isn't looking directly at the camera and he was in mid-sentence, so he wasn't really posing for that picture.
ReplyDeleteI focused a much of my attention on photo 2 as well. How our interpretations differed is that I didn't think Thad Allen looked to be bored, dazed, or out of it. I actually think he looks attentive to the Presidents comments. Maybe I just read that into the situation since it's part of a Coast Guard Officer's job to care what the President thinks.
ReplyDeleteYou provided more detail into the situation that I did but we agreed on many of the same points.
ReplyDelete