Primary Sources Activity 3:

What can we learn from photographs as primary resources?

Photographs are among the most important and readily available of all primary resources. Since the early 1800's photography has affected the way we view our world. American Memory has a rich collection of photographs. Students and adults need the skills that will help them to understand and interpret the wide variety of media that is a part of their everyday lives.

We can learn a lot about the history of our community by looking at some of the photographs taken of Harvey in the early 1900's. We will be looking at photos of Harvey buildings, streets, and people.

What do we need to concentrate on when analyzing photographs?

1. Check out this website on Reading Photographs. Read pages 1 and 2. Be sure you are able to analyze the focal point, composition, setting and moment in time of photographs.

2. Choose a partner to work with. You and your partner will choose one of the Harvey pictures to analyze.

3. Print and use this form to analyze the photographs. The questions that are on the form are adapted from Reading Photographs and Photo Literacy to help us analyze photographs as primary resources.

Form for Analyzing Photographs
Word 2003 form		pdf form

4. You will come back to the whole group and share your analysis. Create an interesting way to present this analysis--overhead transparency, chart, PowerPoint, or other means.

5. For the next activity, you will need to bring a primary source from home.

6. Additional resources on photography that you could use if you are interested.:

• Resources for Teaching with Photographs
• American Museum of Photography
• Basic Strategies in Reading Photographs
• Digital Storytelling Finds Its Place in the Classroom
• Getting the Message
• Picture History: The Primary Source for History Online