documentary photo

inference

by JuliannaKunstler.com

Learning objectives:

Creative thinking
Visual language interpretation
Creative writing

inference
/ˈinf(ə)rəns/

a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.

GALLERY

credit Ed Brown

credit Estate of Bob Collins/Museum of London

credit Kevin Mullins

credit Ian Berry

credit Dr. John Persico Jr.

credit Marjory Collins/Library of Congress

credit Ed Giorandino/New York Daily News/Getty Images

credit Helen Levit

credit August Darwell/Getty Images

photo by Thomas Hoepker

credit

STEPS

Observe the photograph carefully…

step 1

Write seven factual statements based on your direct observation of what you see in the image.

Describe characters (Who?)
Their appearance
Describe objects that you see (What?)
Describe characters' actions, gestures (Doing what?)
Describe the setting (Where?)

example:

1. This is a picture of a boy
2. He is inside a telephone booth
3. He is holding a phone
4. He is dialing a number
5. He is propped on a ledge of the booth
6. There is a phone book under the phone
7. There is a sign behind the boy that says ....

step 2

Now…write one inference statement for each of the seven factual statements.

Your inference statements must be based on a “most likely” interpretation of each of the factual statements.

example:

1. This is a picture of a boy. Most likely he is about 11 years old. He is on his way from school, his books are probably on the booth floor.
2. He is inside a telephone booth. He is probably calling home.
3...

step 3

Next, write another inference statement for each of the seven factual statements.

This time however, use your imagination and creative thinking skills…Really think “outside the box” when you create these statements.

example:

1. This looks like a picture of a boy, but it is not. It's a mannequin posing for an advertisement photo shoot.
2. What looks like a telephone booth is really an elevator.
3...