Family Photo Analysis

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Family photo analysis

Holland and Williamson portrays the importance of family photo by relating them to different aspects of life. Photos are primarily used for preserving one’s history and reality. The authors argue that without knowing one’s past it is not possible to live in a sensible present. Photographs transmit the meaning of family and the way in which families represent themselves. Pictures speak about the lifestyle, bonding among family members and even worries. All aspects of life can be interpreted through family photos including culture, religion and ethnicities. We make sense of the world through pictures because they tell actual narratives about families. Holland’s ideas on family photo states that it is an effective tool which contributes to present day historical consciousness. Williamson also believes that the best process of understanding family is by studying the picture.

Williamson’s idea of camera as a commodity in private sphere is applicable to my family. This is because most of the pictures are used for educating the children. A child who is about to join school is shown the picture of his parents at school for encouraging him to do the same. Pictures are used in my family for teaching new generation the family values such as spending time together on weekends, doing homework with siblings and celebrating together. After seeing these events the child develop same patterns and acts accordingly. Holland’s ideas about family photo depicts that it is an effective tool for connecting to family’s history and origin. Family photo is not only an object for studying the past but it also leads to fill gap in the present. Without knowing one’s reality based on history, one cannot make sense of present. According to Holland it is thus a way of clinging to past for attaining serenity and living a meaningful life in present. He states, “making and preserving a family snapshot is an act of faith in the future” (Holland 1). This reflects that author has identified family snapshot as a crucial element for faith in future. The viewpoint of Holland depicts that picture allow members of family to search their identity and background.

Williamson had attempted to highlight differences in photos taken in different settings. He also lays emphasis on the significance of family photos by stating, “families can produce representation of themselves” (Williamson 237). The author has claimed that pictures provides a vivid imagery of the family’s way of life and gives a glimpse of all aspects of life. The clothes, settings, furniture, decorations all speak about family values and traditions. Pictures tells even more then that, consider for example the body language, postures and gestures of the members. The picture in which family members are standing too close or older members are holding children speaks about their family values. According to Williamson family photo educate viewers by encouraging them to recognize their values and adopting them. The viewpoints of Williamson reflects that without pictures, new generation would have to struggle for findings their actual values.

Pictures are valuable assets for the members of family to whom it belongs. The views illustrates that a family photo holds worth only for the people who are part of it. Holland mentions, “the intensity of one’s own family photograph cannot be matched by someone else’s” (Holland 2). A person would be less interested to see the pictures of someone else’s family compared to their own. This is because people will get bore when they fail to find themselves or people who are related to them. Williamson also claims that family pictures are crucial for understanding one’s past and searching one’s ancestors. Photos transmits culture which allow individuals to build sense of self.

Williamson claims that photography is an education because it can be used for learning one’s history. They speak about family relations, school time, marriages, birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations. Pictures are matures which prevent memories from fading. Holland mentions, “how family albums are about forgetting as well as remembering” (Holland 9). Photo is thus a practical element which allow members of families to recall their past by walking to the actual events and happenings. This process of recalling and recreating the past keep their memories fresh and they could feel the connection with the past. Holland has also highlighted another aspect of the pictures by focusing on the darker side. Albums also contain memories which are tragic and encourage people to forget them. When members of a family view those pictures they feel like encountering the same miserable situation. This proves the argument that pictures not only transmits joy or happiness but also convey sadness.

Family albums are a way of finding one’s identity. By viewing pictures of past the members develop sense of belonging. Holland explains, “traditional family albums eschew such fluidity. There we find a series of judgments about who does and does not 'belong' to the group” (Holland 11). Without family photo people are more likely to struggle for searching self and meaning of life. Different themes are transmitted such as the reality of how people of white color were values and blacks were marginalized. A picture which convey themes of race will be unpleasant for the blacks because it will make them realize the oppression and inequality encountered by them. On contrary, if a same picture is seen by whites they would recall the privileges enjoyed by them. Family photo plays profound role in helping people to find their reality by taking them to them backgrounds. This also indicates that disconnecting from one’s past is not possible. Williamson has used similar themes by stating that pictures provide self-imagery to the viewers by taking them to the same time. They lean the roles played by their parents, grandparents and ancestors.

Pictures are used by families to repress children by guiding them to follow the same niche in society. Williamson states that family photo have a long-lasting impact on the children and encourage them to become part of the same family-like grouping. What they see becomes part of their personalities unconsciously. This is because by viewing their elders they develop the same ideology which encourage them to act in the same way. Photos are thus effective tools for educating young generation. Holland also transmit similar ideas by explaining the role of folklore stories. He states that it was only through the pictures that people accepted the actuality of these traditional and old stories. Community has always remained interpretive and focused on finding the hidden meaning shared in pictures and images. Social mores are also transmitted to the young generations through pictures. Such as a child watching a picture of marriage will develop a firm belief that he has to undergo all these ceremonies for getting married.

The analysis of Holland’s and Williamson’s views depicts that family photo is a powerful tool for reconnecting to the past. It is a way of clinging to past for attaining serenity and living a meaningful life in present. Members of family develop sense of identify, belonging and satisfaction by watching these pictures. Pictures are also used for teaching children different values, customs and traditions.

Work Cited

BIBLIOGRAPHY Wiilliamson, Judith. "Family, education and photography." Preston University Press (1993): 236-244.

Spence, Jo and Patricia Holland. Family snaps: Re meaning of domestic photography. Virago Press, 1991.