The Power of Images

1081 Words3 Pages

Many people are familiar with the cliché “a picture is worth a thousand words.” In simpler terms, a picture can evoke memories and other sentiments that are much more complex than perceived at first glance. Photographs are especially unique because in some ways, they have the uncanny ability to transcend time and reality. Looking at a photo can take you back to a time where you were carefree and worriless, although your current situation may be the exact opposite. Looking at photos and reminiscing are particularly interesting when the viewer has some relation to the photo. Whether the viewer is the subject of the photo or was simply related to the circumstances portrayed in the photo, personal connections do seem to open the door to a whole other universe of interpretation. However, pictures also do have the ability to be deceptive and give off a feigned “reality.” People usually capture festive moments rather than despondent ones with the objective of making their family look cheerful and united in their family photo albums. Posing is a prime-contributing factor to inventing an inexistent reality within family photographs. In certain situations, photographs even have the ability to change our exact memories and adapt them to the elation and capriciousness portrayed in the picture. Only few people (i.e. the subjects of the photo) may be able to decipher the authentic sentiments behind the smokescreen that is posing for family photographs.

When I look at the photograph that I selected to bring to class I see pure innocence. Although I may not have known it then, those were the best years of my life. At that point in my life, all I wanted to do was grow up, go to college and have some responsibility so I felt relevant in society. ...

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...e same (exactly accurate).

Although the family photograph I submitted reminds me of easy times, family and years of innocent youth, it also makes me question if what I think of when I see the photo is truly accurate. Ironically enough, photos have the unique capability to reflect happiness and honestly but truly stand for sadness and inaccuracy. No one person can tell another what is being truly represented within the photograph due to the inherent objectivity of the viewer. Any other practice or imposition of views would result in the tarnishing of the viewer’s personal deduction of the pictures relevance/meaning. Although photographs [especially family photos] have the ability to speak a thousand words, we may never know which of these words are mere lies.

Works Cited

Holland, Patricia. "History, Memory and the Family Album." Virago Press (1991): 1-14. Print.

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