Robert Capa's Photographs of War

These are the Robert Capa photos that we will study and that you can use in your IO's.

1. Falling Soldier Spanish Civil War - action

2. Charging forward Spanish Civil War - action

6. US Marine soldier in the water, D-Day landing, France. WW2 - action

9. Dead Soldier WW2 - portrait

10. German prisoner WW2 - portrait

11. US Medic attending a German Prisoner. WW2 - portrait

13. German prisoner in the streets of France. WW2 - portrait

YouTube video links to explore biographical detail on Robert Capa:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehQgrmaJRlU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1J0p8PGrDI

A Radio Interview with Robert Capa:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYe4ynXnqug

Robert Capa links to biographical topics: achievements, work and personal details

www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/robert-capa/

www.bbc.com/culture/story/20131022-robert-capa-photo-warrior

www.vanityfair.com/culture/photos/2014/06/photographer-robert-capa-d-day

www.diyphotography.net/this-is-the-story-of-robert-capa-the-greatest-war-photographer-in-the-world/

100photos.time.com/photos/robert-capa-falling-soldier

https://medium.com/@joshuahoering/new-heroes-8abc569ae1bb

https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2014/05/30/8-lessons-robert-capa-has-taught-me-about-street-photography/

More Robert Capa's War Photography Links

www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/robert-capa/

www.bbc.com/culture/story/20131022-robert-capa-photo-warrior

www.vanityfair.com/culture/photos/2014/06/photographer-robert-capa-d-day

www.diyphotography.net/this-is-the-story-of-robert-capa-the-greatest-war-photographer-in-the-world/

100photos.time.com/photos/robert-capa-falling-soldier

https://photographylife.com/the-three-elements-of-a-good-photo

http://www.photographyrevision.com/how-to-analyse-a-photograph/

https://medium.com/@joshuahoering/new-heroes-8abc569ae1bb

https://erickimphotography.com/blog/2014/05/30/8-lessons-robert-capa-has-taught-me-about-street-photography/

Analysing Photographs

Step One:

Look deeply at the picture for a good long time. Observe shapes, colors, textures, the position of people and/or objects, what's happening in the foreground, mid-ground and background etc.

Step Two: 

Write down what you see without making any interpretation about what the picture is trying to say.

Step Three:

What questions do you have about this picture that you would need to have answered before you can begin to interpret it? Ask as many questions as you have.

Step Four: 

Discuss your questions with two other students in the class to try to find some answers.

Step Five:

Given the historical context and subject of the piece,  what do you they think the photographer is trying to say (what does the piece mean), and who they think is the intended audience?

Step Six:

Discuss your interpretation with the class, and be prepared to support your view by referring to specific elements of the image and what you know about the history of the time.

Photography: the elements of a photograph and how to use them when analysing a photograph.

Web links on how to analyse a photograph and what makes a good photo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4pgzeIBEcc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAI7j76gJoU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBR1cypaHcM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySeDumHunQw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB8fUiVQ_FE

https://photographyrevision.com/how-to-analyse-a-photograph/

https://photographylife.com/the-three-elements-of-a-good-photo

Use the following Google Doc of photographic elements and photographs as an example.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iQ2XiHzkTHBU6bFTnDwHahF2EiglsSjlK6QZDgalJlw/edit?usp=sharing

Visual Elements in a Photograph to make notes on:

1.      Exposure- is the image too bright (overexposed) or too dark (underexposed)

2.      Shapes – Are there any shapes or patterns visible e.g. the buildings are rectangular in shape.

3.      Texture – How would the image feel if you were to touch it e.g. The photograph has a rough/smooth/silky texture to it.

4.      Pattern – Can you see any patterns e.g. The colours on the man’s coat are repeating red white and green which stand out against the neutral background. This pattern is visually eye catching.

5.      Colour – Is there a main colour in the image? E.g. the image has a blue tone which gives the photograph a cool feeling.

6.      Depth-of-field – the action and/or mood of the foreground, mid-ground and background.

7.      Shutter speed – influences both sharpness and blur/movement in the photograph.

8.      Composition – the placement of images and objects

9.      Contrast – the use of opposite elements

10.    Graphic weight/density of colour – heavy shades of a particular colour

11.    Symbolism – added meaning implied to an object

12.    Framing – the use of borders to focus an object

13.    Lighting – position and strength of light to focus

14.    Mood – overall feeling presented in the photograph

Photography Activity

Answer the following questions:

Basic facts

1. What is the title of the photo?

2. Who took it?

3. When was it taken?

4. What are your first feelings about the photo? E.g. I like/dislike it because……

5. Why do you think the photographer made this image? E.g. to tell something? to probe? to shock? to sell? to advertise something? to criticize?.

6. What are the main visual elements of the photo?

Visual elements to make notes on:

Exposure-  Is the image too bright (overexposed) or too dark (underexposed) 

Shapes – Is there any shapes or patterns visible e.g. the buildings are rectangular in shape.

Texture – How would the image feel if you were to touch it e.g. The photograph has a rough/smooth/silky texture to it.

Pattern – Can you see any patterns e.g. The colours on the man’s coat  are repeating red white and green which stand out against the neutral background. This pattern is visually eye catching.

Colour – Is there a main colour in the image? E.g. the image has a blue tone which gives the photograph a cool feeling.

Depth of field – the action and mood of the foreground, mid-ground and background.

Shutter speed – influences both sharpness and blur/movement in the photo.

Context

7. Where was it taken? E.g. outside or in a studio/ daytime/nighttime

8. What else was going on at the time? (e.g. historical events, other photographer work, technical innovation,  religious/cultural influence)

Your response

9. What do you like/don’t like about the photo and why? 

10. Is the photo successful? WHY?