I find it fascinating using the family as a base for a project, and it is quite interesting how a lot of photographers tend to find it a tricky area and I suppose that is because of the fact that we love our families and we want everyone to see them the way we do even if there is almost always complications and arguments within them.
‘Until recently the history and theory of photography have been especially concerned with what a photograph is, rather than with looking at what a photograph does.’ - (Mette Sandbye) I found this idea to be most intriguing, as humans, we do like to have a visual to go with an idea and so if we are talking about a certain event, I know that I always appreciate it if there is something visual so that I can picture it in my brain, so for me, a photograph adds so much more depth to a story and so even though I think we like to see what is within the contents of a photograph, it is very important to understand and realise why we like to see them. A photograph is such a powerful tool, it can be used as evidence in so many ways.
There always seems to be something extra special about older photographs, if we see a photograph of our great-great-grandfather, we tend to feel like there is a stronger connection to them. I for one know how powerful a photograph is when it comes to visualising someone’s appearance. Both my grandfathers, unfortunately, passed away before I was born, however, due to being able to see photographs of them, whenever my mother or father will tell me stories about them, I am able to see and picture the event in my head without haven’t to create an imaginary face for the missing person.