How to Look at a Photograph (page 4)

What can you learn from concentrating on part of the picture? You can see more details. You can get to know faces. You can look at expressions. Sometimes the clues in a picture don't give you clear answers. They only add more questions. But these questions can make you think more deeply. They can make the story of the picture more interesting and make the boys seem more alive.

What is your first impression of the faces you see? Do they remind you of anyone you know? Most of the boys aren't smiling. And they sure aren't joking for the camera. But they aren't hiding from the camera either. Even the ones in back are looking over the heads of the boys in front of them to see whats happening or to get into the picture. How do you think they feel about having their photograph taken? Some people might think these boys look pretty tough. Some people might think some of them look sad or suspicious. What do you think?

What can you learn from what the people in the picture are wearing? The grown up man on the far left is pretty well dressed. But most of the boys aren't. In fact, most of them don't have shoes on. Their feet are really dirty!

Think about the boys who don't have shoes. Do they hurt their feet all the time? Do they own a pair of shoes, but just aren't wearing them? Would they wear shoes if it was raining outside? The picture was taken in August. Do they wear shoes in the winter but not the summer? Why would they do that?

Let's look at one boy in particular. He's on the left, next to the man in the bow tie. Look at his leg. There is a bandage on it. It looks like a piece of cloth wrapped around his leg, and the rest of his leg looks dirty. This raises a lot of questions. How did he hurt his leg? Does it hurt? Will it heal or get worse? He's also got a different expression on his face than the other boys. Does this make you feel differently about him? He might be more mischievous or just a happy guy. What is his story? Now take another look at the people in this picture. Ask yourself one last question: If any one of these boys had his picture taken by a studio photographer, how do you think he would look? How would that change what you think about him and his life?

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