Hands-On History: Old Photographs
Another interesting hands-on history project for modern history is to look at old family photographs. Photographs are primary sources of historical information that can provide you with direct links to the past. Analyzing photographs for what they can tell you about the past takes practice, however.
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| The background setting of this photograph of a waterman can give you a lot of information. |
- What is the subject of the picture?
- What is happening in the picture?
- Why was the photograph taken?
- Can you determine when and where it was taken?
- Does the photograph give you any clues as to the viewpoint of the photographer? If it is a studio picture, does it have information about the studio, such as where it was taken?
- What does the photograph tell you about the time period?
- Is there anything written on the photograph, such as on the back?
- Do you have other pictures to compare this one to? Does the uniqueness of this photograph tell you anything?
- Can you tell what type of camera was used? (Polaroid, Dry plate, Tin Type, Daguerreotype are some examples of photographic styles that are distinctive.)
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| My mother, Dee Proctor. |
Things to Note About Older Photographs
- Before the 1880's people had to stand very still for a long period of time for photographs. If a person has their hand on a rail, for example, it might be because the photograph was taken before the 1880's.
- Not only can photographs be used as historical documents to identify people, but can also be used to identify objects. Do you have a family heirloom that is also in a photograph?
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| This is a picture of me in front of my parent's house. Easter, 4 years old |
Other Activities to do with Photographs
- Comparing photographs of relatives with photographs of yourself at the same age. Make comparisons in the clothing, hairstyles and objects. What can this tell you about the different time periods?
- Find an old photograph of a street or scene which you can still see today. Take a photo of it in as close to the same place as the original photographer stood. Compare and contrast the photographs. Do the cars look different? The people? Does the street, buildings or the scene look different? What has changed?
- Cut some photographs that interest you from old magazines or newspapers. Imagine that you are a historian some time in the future looking at these photos. Can you analyze the photographs for clue of what they tell about the time period?
sources:
- Pursuing The Past, Eugene Provenzo, Jr., Asterie Proveno and Peter Zorn, Jr.
