Grades K–2 · History & Evidence
What does a photograph keep inside its frame?
A photograph keeps a view of one moment. Its edges make a frame. Some things are inside the frame, and other things are outside. The photo does not show everything around it.
In the diagramOne frame keeps one momentOriginal drawn photo-record model · not an old photoballkiteOutside the frame is not recorded here.This record does not show before or after.
The frame here includes a ball and a kite. A person pointing a camera chooses which part of a scene to include. A toy outside the frame could be nearby without appearing in the photo.
The photo also leaves out other moments. It cannot show, by itself, who brought the ball or where the kite went later. Another picture, a note or a person's account could add more clues. One photo is a piece of the past, not the whole past.
About this explanation
The illustrated record is made up; it is not an authentic historical photograph.
Starting knowledge: Recognize familiar toys and understand inside, outside, before and after.
Sources
- Library of Congress — Teacher’s Guides and Analysis Tool
- Library of Congress — Getting Started with Primary Sources