Close Reading

 

A close read, sometimes called an explication, is a detailed analysis of a text. Though traditionally applied to poetry and fiction, close reads can be equally relevant to photographs. 

 

For this assignment, you will conduct a close reading of one of the following photographs, each of which depicts a uniquely Californian scene. The goal is to conduct a precise and detailed analysis of the photo in order to reveal new ways to understand it.

Choose only one of the following photos for you analysis:

Pasadena: The Rose Bowl Flea Market (Rozette Rago, 2017)

Trinidad: College Cove (backcountrycow.com, 2017)

Lake Tahoe: Cliff Diving at DL Bliss State Park (Ryan Salm, Date Unknown)

 

Modesto: Dirtybird Campout (Photographer Unknown, 2022)

 

 

Morro Bay: Morro Bay Kite Festival (Danna Dykstra-Coy, 2022)

 

 

San Diego: San Diego Comic-Con International (Cole Novak, 2024) 

 

San Jose: Yoga on the Row at Santana Row (Photographer Unknown, 2023)

 

San Francisco: Bay to Breakers (Unknown Photographer, 2023)

 

Santa Cruz: 420 at UC Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Sentinel, 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Los Angeles: Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever (Hollywood Forever, 2024)

Required:

• MLA Style, including works cited*
• 500-625 words (2-2.5 pages)

Due: Sun 3.30 (via Canvas)

*To cite a photo for which you don't have all the details, always fill in whatever information you do have, if any. 

Use this general format:

Photographer's Last Name, First Name (if known). "Description of the image." Source/Website Name (if known), Date of publication (if known), URL (if applicable).