Images as Historical Artifacts

Worth a 1,000 words? Photographs have tremendous power to communicate information. But they also have tremendous power to communicate misinformation.

Camera never lies? “While photographs may not lie, liars may photograph.” Photo of John Kerry at the Register for Peace Rally on 13 June 1970 in New York one of actress Jane Fonda at a rally in August 1972 put together with a background.

Objectivity of photos Photograph as reality Ingrained belief that a photograph depicts reality Photographer as communicator Chooses the reality to depict Artistic Compelling subjects Persuade Emotional reaction Photographer consciously decides what to photograph and how

Methods of communicating Selection of a photo Background or setting Caption Cropping Vary exposure or filters

Interpreting photos If we are to determine the meaning of a documentary photograph we must begin by establishing the historical context for both the image and its creator. Content of the photograph Intent of the photographer

Questions to consider What is in the photo? Where and when was this photograph taken? Why did the photographer select these particular elements to include in the photograph? What don't you see? Why did the photographer emphasize certain elements and not others? What's in focus? Is only one person or element in focus, or are many elements in focus? Why did the photographer take the picture at this moment? What happened before or after this picture was taken? Why did the photographer take the picture from this angle? What might the scene have looked like from another vantage point -- from left, right, behind, above, or below?