Reflections of a Photograph.
I’ll always remember this photograph of my family and I in Austria, while on our vacation in Europe. We are standing in a garden outside a historical theatre where Mozart used to play. Nicely dressed and smiling, we are ready with our tickets to see a performance of classical musical compositions by Mozart.
When we returned home from our vacation to Europe we picked out photos to place around the house. My family almost always uses the camera as a tool, to capture moments and place them in a historical record, just as writers inscribe letters in a document. Though they are not letters, but pictures, they share the same idea, instead of portraying events, moments, travels, and history verbally, it is communicated visually. My family’s use of photography for recording purposes can be related to a quote from Susan Sontag, “Through photographs, each family constructs a portrait-chronicle of itself—a portable kit of images that bears witness to its connectedness.” The photos taken are added to an archive of our family history, like pages in a book. The pictures will be able to tell stories when words cannot, precise visuals rather than thoughts, and the moment of the past will remain visible long into the future. Stories which show our desire to stay connected and experience together our love and bond we share, and to show that we are one family forever and always. We went on the trip because we are connected by a relationship closer than anyone else in our lives. To partake in picture taking together is natural becuase we want to pose together, hold each other, and document the moments of our family.
Photography has changed the nature of the events in my family. Photography has become a part of that nature. No event goes by without photographs being taken, unless it is viewed as less significant, or not as important compared to other events. An event with no photographs is likely to be forgotten, or vaguely remembered. Without a...