How To Write About Photography as a Professional Reviewer

Students are often expected to express their thoughts and emotions in writing. Normally, they engage in highly regulated academic writing. However, students may take more creative assignments depending on their subjects and specialties. Art and photography students, for example, must learn to write about their subjects to understand them better. Though, sometimes, such assignments can turn into a challenge.

Sure, as a student, you can also count on professional writing help online. For example, you may simply follow this link https://www.writingpapersucks.com/essaypro-com-review/ and find the services up to your needs. After all, it is one thing to create and another to explain the processes behind it. Still, you can learn a new form of writing with these simple tips. So, here is a brief guide on writing about photography as a professional reviewer.

Explain why the image works or not

Any review starts with a general analysis of the material. Thus, you take a hard look at the given object and state how well or poorly the photo is executed. One objective look at the picture should be enough to see its weaknesses and strengths, determining whether the photographer achieved what they intended or not.

At this stage, you exclude the emotions completely. It is not about liking or disliking a picture. It is not about your feelings about it or the story behind the picture. In fact, focusing on such aspects at the first stage will affect your ability to stay objective in reviewing the picture further. Here, you should break down why the picture works or doesn’t on other levels. 

Thus, you focus on composition, lighting, frame, etc. It is the overall analysis of the photo before you get into too many details. In fact, if the photo doesn’t work, your future analysis may not even be necessary. You may simply enlist the mistakes you see in the frame and move on to the next photo.

Describe the main subject

Usually, a photo doesn’t work whenever there is no clear object in the frame. So, that’s the first thing a reviewer should pay attention to – is there an object? The lack of an object makes the photo unfocused, estranged, and disconnected from the viewers. An object directs your eyes and shows you where to look first. It is the central piece that brings everything together. Without it, a photo lacks an idea, a general tone that gives you a sense of completion.

If there is a clear subject, one must explain how it was determined. Sure, sometimes, photos may have just one object to draw such conclusions. In this case, the description should be brief and simple. In other cases, a reviewer should rather explain the composition choices or special lighting that highlights the presence of the subject. These are usually the clues that lead us to the main subject, as it may not be the largest thing in the image.

Find the story

That’s the part where we finally reach the emotional element of the photo. At this stage, you may engage in pondering the story behind the frame. It is a second in a life that’s saved forever. What does it tell you? Why is it important? Is it valuable for the future? Does it carry much sentimental value? Most photos will make you seek answers to these questions. You will try to explain to yourself what emotions the picture causes and why. That’s what finding the story means.

In addition, a professional reviewer will always research the actual story behind the frame. Some people prefer to look at a photo first. This way, they don’t let knowledge interfere with their emotions. They look at it with fresh eyes, analyzing the art before the story. Others want to make this connection right away. So they look at the circumstances of the photo creation, such as who is depicted in the photo or what serves as a subject and why. Thus, you attempt to determine the photographer’s intentions and reasons for taking the photo.

The history behind the photo, the professional career of the photographer, and the subject’s significance all play a role in the photo’s value and meaning. So, learning this information at some point in your review is absolutely necessary.

Focus on traditional writing structure

It doesn’t matter if you write a review, a research paper, or a personal essay. The structure of such writing forms will remain the same. You should start with an introduction, followed by main paragraphs and a conclusion. In this case, the first paragraph should contain the information about the photo. Write who made it and when, the circumstances of its creation, and the meaning behind it. Mention what you are trying to achieve with a review.

Proceed with the general review with the steps we covered above. Normally, a paragraph per step is enough. Finish by concluding the general opinion on the work, including the answer to your thesis statement mentioned in the introduction.

To see an example of such work, read this assignment expert review to see the given rules in practice. Moreover, reading as many reviews as possible will help you understand the writing aspect of such pieces. So, use any opportunity to analyze other people’s reviews.