Grammar Focus:

KEY EXPRESSIONS for TALKING about PICTURES:


Describing a photograph:
This photograph shows a woman reading a book.
At the top, there is….
In the background we can see…
On the left side/ On the right side…
In the middle of the picture,…
On the foreground,…..
At the bottom,….



Describing a scene
The picture was taken in … (place).
The photo was taken at … (party).
The picture shows a scene from …
It's an image of … (place, person, scene).
The picture describes … (scene).
The picture shows … (place, person, scene) from a distance.
… (place, person, scene) is shown from … (a bird's eye view/…).
You look at … (place, person, scene) from … (above/behind/…).



Impression
… gives the impression of depth.
… (person) seems to look at the viewer.
His / Her eyes seem to follow the viewer.
The figures look as if they exist in three dimensions.
The viewer has the impression that the people in the picture are alive.
The viewer's attention is focused on …
To the alert eye it will become apparent …
The viewer finds it difficult to withdraw his eyes from …
The painting is vivid / happy / expressive.
The picture makes the viewer feel … (sad/happy)
The picture inspires the viewer to think about …


Intention
The artist mainly uses … (colours/forms/…)
Important elements are highlighted.
The artist / photographer / painter uses … to express …
He / She (probably) wants to criticise / express / show …
It is obvious that the artist wants to criticise / express / show …
What the artist/ photographer/painter wants to criticise/express/show is …
What the artist / photographer / painter wants to point out is …
I think / believe / am sure that …
It seems / appears to me that …
The problem illustrated here is …
… symbolises …
… is typical of …

Speculating:
Perhaps they are celebrating something.
Maybe the reason they look so serious is because…
She might be a busy working mother…
I’m not sure, but I believe that…
I perceive/feel that….because….


Personal feelings
I perceive/feel that….because….
I wouldn’t like to be in her/his shoes…
This photo reminds me of my childhood…
Personally, I’d love to visit a place like this…