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| Photographs [1] [2] Photographs are interesting sources because they give you sense of what it was like to have witnessed and event in a way written document cannot. They can be incredibly helpful in your research because they provide evidence of an event; track changes in people, landscapes, or structures over time; document an object, person, or place at a certain moment in time; be used to in advertising to illustrate a product; be manipulated or staged for editorial impact; and some photographs a pieces of art. In David Kyvig and Myron Marty’s book Nearby History, they pose an interesting series of questions and topics to consider when viewing photographs for historical information. Following is a summary of their suggestions about what to be aware of and think about when looking at a photograph. • First look at the image. Take some time to gain an impression of the photograph without any heavy analysis and thought for detail. After absorbing the image, you can then take a systematic approach asking questions about the photograph. • Form a consciousness of the photographer. Why did he think this image was interesting? Why did he choose that particular location? Could the photographer have had additional choices for subjects, or locations? Why are people posed in a certain way? • Look at how the picture is framed. Why did the photographer choose that composition? Was he leaving something else out? Does the framing provide an emphasis on a particular subject or message in the picture? Did the photographer crop the image for dramatic effect? If so, why? Does he want your attention to be drawn to a particular location? • Look at the place of the photograph. Was it taken indoors? Was it posed in a studio? What part did the indoor setting play in how the photograph was composed? What clues are available about the cultural or natural landscape? • Be aware of the questions of time. What time of day or year was the photograph taken? Can you tell what events might have happened before or after the picture was taken? What elements of the image are stopped in time or what is in motion? What does the picture reveal about the era in which it was taken? • Look at the details and artifacts. What are the people in the image wearing? What decorative details to you see? What to the details contribute to the whole image? Do the details help you draw a conclusion about the time and place presented in the photo? What do the elements in the image tell you about the occupations, social class, beliefs, values, or traditions of the people or place in the photograph? • Notice the photograph’s technical details. With a little practice you can learn about how certain shots were created with different camera lenses, depth of field, lighting techniques, or early special effects. Is only one area of the picture in focus? If so, why do you think the photographer chose to do that? Did he use any special lighting techniques? If so, what was he trying to emphasize? How did the camera lens affect the final photo? Understanding the “look” of wide angle or telephoto lenses can help you determine the photographer’s distance from his subject. • Consider the history of the technological changes in photography. Pictures made during different eras and with different materials will have a certain “look.” Are you able to date the photograph based on the physical clues of the print? How does a daguerreotype differ from an albumen print in appearance? Go to A Basic Guide to Early Photographs for some more information. • Pay attention to how people presented themselves in portraits. What do their facial expressions tell you? Are the people in the photograph close together or touching each other? Why are some standing or sitting? How are people arranged? How are the social customs of an era reflected in the photograph?
You Might Learn: • How parts of your community changed over time • Fashion styles of a particular era • What your ancestor’s looked like • Social customs of a particular era • How the natural landscape your town changed over time • Family customs • Family relationships • What building and home interiors looked like • Evidence of dramatic events in your community • What your house originally looked like • Social problems your community faced in the past • A record of places, buildings, or people no longer a part of your community Where to Find These Sources • Family photo albums • Local history libraries • Genealogical societies • State archives • University libraries For more information, check out: Making Sense of Documentary Photographs by James Curtis at History Matters : Analyzing Nineteenth Century Daguerreotypes by Frank Goodyear at History Matters : Photographs and Images Tutorial at History Works Early Photographs Early Photography and Photographic Processes |
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