Investigative JournalismOPTIC and Visual Analysis

OPTICO - OverviewP - PartsT - Title/Text I - InterrelationshipsC - Conclusion

O - OverviewWhat is happening in the picture?

Summarize the “action” of the visual without analyzing its meaning yet.

This is equivalent to the “paraphrase” part of CLOSE reading analysis.

O - OverviewThis is a photograph of a 19th century man standing in front of large boat chains on adock.

P - PartsBreak the picture down into sections.

Describe the placement of objects in the image.

Name everything that can be seen.

Describe color, lighting, and movement in the picture.

P - PartsParts Color Placement Attitude Size Orientation

Man White/unremarkable Center Arrogant/driven Adult In front of ship chains

Boat chains Gray/steel Center Powerful Huge Behind man

Dock/Pier Gray/dirty Bottom Strong Large Below man and chains

Watch Silver/white Center Diminutive Small Coming from man’s vest pocket

Tophat Black Center Appropriate Tall On top of man’s head

Boots Black Bottom Used Medium to large Holding man up

Cigar Black Center Powerful Small In man’s mouth

Suit Black Center Used/comfortable Fitting On man

T - Title/TextWhat does the title reveal about the picture?

How much does it add to what you understand or do not understand about the picture?

Is there any text within the image itself?

What does it say?

How does it affect/impact the overall image?

Explain your answers.

Title:Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Launching Chains of the “Great Eastern”

Photographer:Robert Howlett

T - Title/TextThis photo, captured by Robert Howlett, is titled “Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Launching Chains of the ‘Great Eastern’.”

I - InterrelationshipsAnalyze the relationships in the picture.

How do objects or people or colors relate to each other in the picture?

What clues to the message or argument are these relationships giving you?

What seems to be the most important “relationship” in the picture?

I - InterrelationshipsSuccess repeated throughLarge cigar, image of successSuit is an image of success, yet comfortable in setting of work/dirtMan wearing a suit for business yet jumps in to get “down and dirty” when requiredTophat

Arrogance shownIn man’s pose/disinterestIn man’s wearing suit in place of filthIn taking a picture in front of the “great chains”

Contrast of great/little repeated throughShip/manBoat chains/manBoat chains/watch chain

Power repeated throughMan standing in front of chainsDock strong enough to hold up chainsBoots - worn, dirty, used

C - ConclusionDraw a conclusion to the meaning or message of the picture based on what you have viewed and discussed as a group.

Essentially, what is the argument the artist is trying to convey?

C - ConclusionA man’s impact can be much more immense than what would be judged by his size alone. A man’s power is not relative to the forces that get in his way. Man can overcome obstacles just by the sheer power of his will. A man sets his own limits relative to what he believes he can conquer.

OPTIC ReviewOPT IC

OPTIC ReviewComplete the paragraph at the bottom of your notesheet.

This is your exit ticket.

Next class, we are in the library.