To analyze photographs we use the methods of technical, visual, contextual and conceptual. These factors help to create an in-depth analysis focusing on not only the ways in which the photo was taken but why it was taken and the hidden meanings behind it, or pehaps the story it tells us. These stories and feelings given off can be interpreted in different ways by different people.

Technical

The technical elements within a photograph and what it means when we analyse them is the manual settings and how they have been adjusted. This involves things such as;

Lighting, Aperture, ISO, White Balance, Shutter Speed, focal length. 

Visual

The visual aspect of analysing photos is simply using photographic terms to describe how the picture has been edited or taken. This consists of ;

Colour, Tone, Texture, Shape, Contrast, Pattern, Composition, Leading Lines. 

Contextual

Contextual relates to the period of time the photo was taken and how the time and place affects what the photo portrays. This can link to many factors in society. Contextual is simply;

Ones understanding, Deeper meaning, Additional knowledge Historical context, Personal context, Cultural/Social/Political context.

Conceptual

The conceptual part of analysing photos refers to a persons ideas relating to or based on mental thoughts. Essentially it is the meaning behind a photograph and it is the part in which you give reasons why a photographer may have chosen to take the photo/taken it in a certain way. The key words associated with conceptual are;

Ideas, Meaning, Reasoning.