Esther Schindler's "Lessons in creating family photos that people want to keep" examines why some old family photos are treasured and others discarded. Through the "Old Family Photos" project, she observed that cherished photos often feature genuine emotion, candid moments, and connections between people. Technically imperfect photos can still be valuable due to their storytelling power, capturing a specific moment in time or a loved one's personality. The article encourages contemporary photographers to prioritize authentic emotion and storytelling over technical perfection when capturing family moments, recognizing that these elements contribute to a photograph's enduring value.
Esther Schindler's 2018 Medium article, "The Old Family Photos Project: Lessons in creating family photos that people want to keep," delves into the enduring appeal of historical family photographs and extracts valuable insights applicable to contemporary photography practices. The author embarks on a personal genealogical exploration, examining a collection of inherited family photos spanning several generations. This intimate engagement with the past sparks a reflection on what makes certain images resonate across time, while others fade into obscurity.
Schindler observes that technically imperfect photographs often hold greater sentimental value than technically flawless ones. She posits that this stems from the captured emotion and narrative within the image, often conveying a sense of genuineness and connection that transcends technical shortcomings like blurry focus or poor composition. Candid shots, capturing unscripted moments of joy, laughter, or even quiet contemplation, emerge as particularly treasured relics, offering glimpses into the authentic lives and relationships of past family members.
The author highlights the importance of context in enriching the meaning and value of photographs. Identifying the individuals depicted, the location, and the occasion surrounding the image significantly enhances its significance for future generations. She emphasizes that while a visually appealing photograph can initially capture attention, it is the story behind the image that truly solidifies its lasting impact. This underscores the importance of preserving not only the physical photographs but also the accompanying narratives and memories that give them context and meaning.
Schindler further analyzes the role of shared experiences in strengthening familial bonds and how photographs serve as tangible reminders of those shared moments. Group photos, capturing family gatherings, celebrations, or even mundane everyday activities, acquire special significance as they encapsulate the collective history of a family. These images serve as visual touchstones, evoking memories and reinforcing a sense of belonging and shared heritage.
The article concludes by advocating for a more mindful approach to modern family photography. Schindler encourages photographers to prioritize capturing authentic moments and emotions over striving for technical perfection. She suggests that by embracing imperfection and focusing on the narrative within the frame, contemporary photographers can create enduring images that will be cherished by future generations, much like the treasured family photos of the past. This involves considering the enduring value of the images being created and incorporating elements that will resonate with future viewers, such as clear identification of subjects and context surrounding the event. By understanding the elements that contribute to the long-term appreciation of family photographs, individuals can create a more meaningful and lasting visual legacy for their families.
Summary of Comments ( 109 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42835282
HN commenters largely agree with the author's premise that candid, everyday photos are more valuable over time than posed, formal shots. Several share anecdotes supporting this, emphasizing the importance of capturing genuine emotion and connection. One compelling comment highlights the value of including mundane details in photos, as those details often become the most interesting and evocative years later. Another suggests taking lots of photos, accepting that most will be deleted, but increasing the chance of capturing a few truly special moments. Some disagreement arose about digitization and organization, with some advocating for immediate curation while others prefer a "dump and sort later" approach. A few commenters mention the importance of printing photos, despite the digital age, for easier sharing and posterity.
The Hacker News post titled "Lessons in creating family photos that people want to keep (2018)" has a moderate number of comments discussing the linked article about preserving family photos. Several commenters share personal experiences and anecdotes relating to the challenges and rewards of maintaining family photo collections.
A recurring theme is the difficulty of organizing and digitizing large numbers of inherited photos. One commenter recounts the daunting task of sorting through boxes of unsorted prints and negatives, highlighting the importance of the original author's advice to organize photos chronologically. Another user suggests using facial recognition software as a tool for sorting, though acknowledges the potential privacy concerns associated with such technology. The emotional labor involved in curating these collections is also mentioned, with one commenter expressing the mixed feelings of nostalgia and sadness that can arise when revisiting old photos.
Several comments focus on the technical aspects of photo preservation, such as file formats, storage media, and metadata. One user advocates for using lossless formats like TIFF to maintain image quality, while another cautions against relying solely on cloud storage solutions due to potential data loss or service disruptions. The importance of adding descriptive metadata to digital photos is emphasized by multiple commenters, who note that context is easily lost over time.
The discussion also touches on the changing nature of photography in the digital age. One commenter laments the decline of printed photos, arguing that physical prints offer a more tangible and lasting connection to the past. Another observes that the sheer volume of digital photos taken today makes curation and preservation even more challenging than in the past.
Some commenters offer practical tips for organizing and preserving photos, such as creating themed albums, using photo management software, and involving family members in the process. The idea of collaborative storytelling through shared photo albums is also raised.
Finally, a few comments express appreciation for the author's emphasis on the emotional value of family photos, recognizing that these images represent more than just snapshots in time but also connections to loved ones and shared memories.