The Sociological Significance of Pictures

By Janis Prince Inniss

Although I’m not as into it now, I used to love photography…back in the days when we all used film I toted my heavy 35mm camera around. Now everyone—or so it seems—has a digital camera and/or one on their cell phone.

When I was very young my father was a photographer and he taught my brother the trade when he was in his late teens. As my brother developed a photography business I became his assistant—fetching his bag and other such glamorous activities. Along the way, I picked up an interest in photography.

I would take tons and tons of pictures at every event, outing, and holiday trip. After grappling with storing all the pictures, I started to ask myself how many pictures of any one event I really needed. Even 155 pictures of my trip to Yosemite National Park does not change the fact that it is in the past and sometimes enjoying myself rather that shooting pictures has made for better memories.

When I was almost 18, I went to my father’s funeral. It was probably only the second I had attended so I didn’t really know what was done at funerals. Just before leaving our grandmother’s home for the funeral, somehow I got a hold of my brother’s camera. I wasn’t sure what I would do with the camera; what would be an appropriate picture to take given the occasion? I knew that I would not take pictures of my father’s lifeless body. Not only did I consider that that morbid but I refused to even view my father’s body, let alone take a picture of him.

I don’t remember taking any of them, but all these years later I have pictures from my father’s funeral. And I’m glad that I do. They remind me of the early impact of our father’s death on me and my siblings. And the pictures remind me of who attended the funeral. I have forgotten most of the people who were there that day who were not photographed.

Recently I attended an “un-birthday party” in Tampa, an event held to honor the 153 children in this county who did not live to their first birthdays in 2007. Particularly striking was a presentation from a photographer from the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep organization. The organization exists to take pictures of babies of who have died at birth or who are expected to die soon after. Professional photographers donate their time and the photographs are free for the parents. As the organization’s website points out, taking a picture of such a baby is not necessarily on the minds of grieving parents. (Click here to see a Los Angeles Times story about bereavement photos).

 

But as you can imagine, a picture of a baby who only lives for a few hours, days, or months can be of tremendous value to many parents. Not so long ago, many hospitals did not allow or encourage parents to see these babies. Today, parents are encouraged to name their babies, to hold them—acknowledge their lives, however short -–as a way to help cope with their grief. With the professional quality pictures they receive from this organization, parents are granted an important memento that most new parents have or expect—wonderful pictures of their newborn.

Photographs have meanings attached to them. For parents who have lost a baby, a Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photograph underscores the fact that they did have a baby—for however short a period. The pictures serve as proof that their child existed; it is documentation that this child lived.

Indeed, a photographic image is worth a thousand words. Lately we’ve witnessed dust-ups over news organizations use of the wrong picture to illustrate a story. In an apparent effort to impress us with the size of a “tea party” in Washington protesting President Obama’s health care plan, several websites showed a picture that turned out to be 10 years old. The 10-year-old picture shows an enormous crowd that stretches for blocks, and that was described as being up to 2 million people. It should not surprise you that some conservative blogs reported this high number while mainstream news organizations said that the crowd was in the thousands. At issue here was the ability to say that a particularly high level of discontent exists among “the people”.

We shape pictures—by deciding what pictures we take and how we take them—but pictures also shape our worlds—whether in telling us how big a crowd is, reminding us of a poignant time, or providing tangible proof of a loved one’s life. Societal context and our own personal context shape how we think about these images.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Comments

[Morgan Smillie]

I agree that pictures capture a moment in life that is a moment that people want to remember forever. All moments in life are important, but not all are special. Remembering a child who died with capturing moments of when they are alive can help with the grieving process. Photography is a very important part of capturing life's moments to look back on for years to come.

[Hannah Sanders]

I think pictures are wonderful! I love to take pictures of different experiences that I have so that I can look back and remember all the fun times. For example I worked at a summer camp, and when I got home I printed out some of the pictures I took and made a scrapbook to help me remember all of the good times I had at the camp.

I also agree that pictures are very important in capturing life. If a child, parent, or other loved one dies, it is nice to have a picture of them to remember them by.

[JR Tillett]

Although i hardly ever take pictures i do believe they serve a very special purpose in society today. My parents still flip through there albums of pictures from when they were younger and it helps them to recall past experiences. Today facebook is littered with millions of pictures members post to show people what a good time they were having at a party, wedding, or school. Pictures serve as a great tools for remembrence.

[Paul McKinley]

I think pictures are a very important part of life. They are triggers to memories that we sometimes repress, or alter in our mind. They are not only clear, distinct proof that an event happened, but they also show us how much we have changed; both as a society and as an individual.

[Sigrid Wellhausen]

I agree that pictures have meanings that we attach to them. I also believe that even though we cannot touch what we see in these images it makes things seem more real. Just like with the Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep photographs. It is proof of what once was, no matter how fleeting an event. In the news we hear of death and destruction constantly. It is not until a picture of the body or the desisted is shown though that we begin to react. Things are ever changing and nothing is permanent, yet pictures capture a moment that might was guaranteed to be lost. For society in general they function as a way of cataloging the past. For individuals, sometimes no matter how old the photograph it still feels like yesterday.

[Anjelica Baker]

Yes. I totally agree. As you said, pictures remind us of certain people's existence which also gives us memories of the particular situation. I personally believe that pictures are destined to be of good use in the future. People take pictures of babies so that they may remember how these babies actually looked for future reference. As, the author stated "the pictures of the funeral reminded her of who was there" which is why we take many pictures at events. We wish to be reminded of the event as well as who attended, where it was located etc. Of course pictures have no significance until time passes because they serve as memories. How can they possibly serve as memories if you haven't given yourself time to forget?

[Mylene M.]

I agree of not taking pictures of a dead body of a person. I do not care how good you are on photography. We still have to pay a respect to our love ones.

[Keenon Bibbins]

There is a saying that everyone knows which is a picture is worth a thousand words and many of us take photos for that purpose i believe. Rather we take pictures at weddings, funerals, or birthing s these are moments we don't want to forget. When you look back at the pictures years later they always seem to bring you back to the time of the memory with all emotions included. That's what i believe anyway.

[Kelly]

Photography has become a passion of mine, and I usually carry my digital camera with me most of the time. I love capturing moments that ordinarily would be forgotten or distorted in the future, especially time I spend with my family. I believe it is very important to document important moments in your life, and for these parents the birth of their child is one of them, even if their life was lost quickly. For some it may be strange and morbid, but when something like this happens the parents want to hold on to anything they can of this child, and that is what the pictures do. It helps them heal their loss, and accounts an event they proves they are able to stand up and keep moving forward.

[Brittany Posey]

Pictures are the best way to capture the memories that go by so fast. I know that I keep pictures of my childhood close to my heart of grandparents that have passed. Without these pictures it would be hard for me to remember because I was so young. The Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep photography is beautiful. I think it is great that if parents want to keep these memories they have the option to do that. I think it is important to be able to hold still frames of times in your hands as a picture to accompany the memories you have.

[Francesca Pauline]

I thought this article was incredibly sweet and eye opening. It is amazing what a picture can do. When the author was describing her father's funeral and the pictures she took of those who attended and those who did not, I totally understood how she forgot about the people who were not there. A picture is like a memory and it brings back memories. It was also sweet about the organization she was describing about the children who did not make it to their first birthdays. With pictures taken of them, those parents will never forget their child's faces and can always cherish the pictures.This was a lovely article.

[Jordan Ault]

I agree with Francesca. I think that this article is very caring and thoughtful and sweet. She uses a lot of describing words that just puts you right there in the scene. I also agree with her when she says that a picture is like a memory and it brings back a lot of memories. That is very very true. I have tons of picture and when i look at them it only brings me back in that time. All all i really enjoyed this article and it really was touching. It made me think back onto all the times that I have had with my family.

[Beatrice Cadet]

I believe that pictures are a very effective way to capture moments in time. Pictures give us the ability to go back in time and relive moments that we can never physically go back to. This article is very compeling to me especially having lost my neice at only 10 months. The photos I have of her remind me how happy she was and how happy I know she is now. So, I completely understand thos parents who just want to see their child and in many ways the pictures may help them appreciate life itself.

[dannyg2436]

Picture's are very important and extremely effective. I believe it is also important to look at the advancement in technology such as advanced cameras built into phones, and the way how quickly we can share them with devicees like picture text and facebook. Photos do capture a thousand words, and picturs of children that only lived short lives can always be a reminder.

[Paige Pridgeon]

I agree. I think that pictures are one of the main reasons we have memories today. It is also meaningful to go through old pictures with family and friend and remember those special times. Photographs are important to our lives and create memories.

[Sarah Patterson]

I agree that pictures are important in today’s society. Being able to capture a moment and have that photograph forever is taken advantage sometimes. The photographers who dedicate their time and talent to the parents of the sick children are giving a wonderful gift because being able to see their baby in a photograph is a nice remembrance of their child.

[Laura Kunst]

I can't imagine what I would do without my camera. I have so many scrapbooks full of pictures from random events that, without the pictures, I would have forgotten about. So many memories are contained in those pictures. For instance, I don't remember my grandpa. He died when I was really little, but I know what he looked like, and I know that I met him, because we have pictures of him. And early holidays and birthdays are always interesting pictures to look at. Then there are the pictures from recent years. I'm a freshman in college this year, and last year I didn't go anywhere without my camera. And I'm glad I didn't. I have so many pictures of my friends and I just being our goofy selves - things that aren't often caught on camera - and having a good time. I shudder to think about the fact that, without those pictures, there's a very good chance that I would forget most of the events. So, I definitely have to agree that pictures are wonderful things to have.

[Zeleste Tombo]

This blog really tugged my heart strings. It kind of reminded me when I was younger and when I was vacationing with my family, my dad would take SO many pictures. My sister and I would complain and ask why he takes so many pictures. He simply answered and said "Pictures never fade and they last forever, I want you both to remember how much fun we always have as a family." After he said that, my sister and I still never really understood until we became a little older. Now that we are older, we look back on the pictures and say, oh my gosh remember how much fun we had? Pictures tell stories, and last forever so you can always retell your stories, good or bad. Which is why I always carry a camera on me in my purse, to take pictures of anything that could be significant in the futre...I recommend everyone to try it.

Pictures are just really nice to go back to and remember all the memories. And I really like the idea of the Lay Me Down To Sleep organization, it definitely makes a lot of sense to do what they are doing. While watching the video above, I got a little teary eyed. I agree, the organization is a great way for grieving parents to deal with their baby's death.

May God Bless the parents whom children or babies have passed away, stay strong. XOX0

[Zeleste Tombo]

This blog really tugged my heart strings. It kind of reminded me when I was younger and when I was vacationing with my family, my dad would take SO many pictures. My sister and I would complain and ask why he takes so many pictures. He simply answered and said "Pictures never fade and they last forever, I want you both to remember how much fun we always have as a family." After he said that, my sister and I still never really understood until we became a little older. Now that we are older, we look back on the pictures and say, oh my gosh remember how much fun we had? Pictures tell stories, and last forever so you can always retell your stories, good or bad. Which is why I always carry a camera on me in my purse, to take pictures of anything that could be significant in the futre...I recommend everyone to try it.

Pictures are just really nice to go back to and remember all the memories. And I really like the idea of the Lay Me Down To Sleep organization, it definitely makes a lot of sense to do what they are doing. While watching the video above, I got a little teary eyed. I agree, the organization is a great way for grieving parents to deal with their baby's death.

May God Bless the parents whom children or babies have passed away, stay strong. XOXO

[Jacklyn Gion]

Perhaps one of the most significant pictures I have ever taken was of a wedding. However, it was a very special wedding due to the fact that it was the union between a white woman and a black man. The picture captures the moment right after their first kiss together as husband and wife. The couple is looking into each others eyes with smiles that are indescribable. What makes the picture so special is that I developed it in black and white. This picture speaks so much about this couple. How to them it didn't matter the color of each other's skin but that they are two people who are desperately in love with each other.

[JAQUANDA CLEMENTS]

IT IS TRUE THAT PICTURES CAPTURE RARE MOMENTS, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S THE MENTAL NOTES WE TAKE THAT ARE INVOLUNTARILY IMPRINTED IN OUR MINDS FOREVER. NO MATTER HOW MANY PICTURES YOU TAKE TO RELIVE THOSE MOMENTS, THEY ARE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK. SOME THINGS YOU DON'T WANT TO REMEMBER, LIKE THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, BUT IT'S THE MOMENTS LIKE THAT THAT CAN BUILD YOU UP TO BECOME STRONGER. EVERY TIME I LOOK AT PICTURES OF DECEASED LOVED ONES, IT'S NO LONGER TO MOURN OVER THEIR LIFE, BUT TO APPRECIATE THE LIFE THEY LIVED.

[jessica layug]

I think that pictures are probably one of the most important things that a person needs outside of the basic needs like food, shelter, clothing. Like goals and hope, memories create a higher quality of life. Pictures can provide many overlooked details about how life (dress, style, hobbies, etc) was like in the time a famous person in history or of an older family member. Whether the subject is about a graduation, the death of a loved one, or even just capturing a smile on a "regular" day, pictures serve to remind us that life is important and that every moment is precious and fleeting.

[Ryan Story]

This article reminded me of the importance of enjoying the present but still capturing some of these moments so you can remember them in the future. A picture is worth a thousand words and should be treasured. It really touched my heart to hear of the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Program. The photographers who take these pictures are extremely gracious. Pictures capture the moments we want to remember good or bad.

[Andrew Bryant Jr]

I believe picture are a way for us to remember our past and are even a way for us to know where we are going. Before photographs were invented people still use to record their memories with wall paintings. This leads me to believe that pictures are essential to our society and relevant in a major way.

[Andrea Ashley]

Due to the advancements of digital cameras and social networks such as Facebook, I believe taking pictures for the average American has changed. Now we can upload our pictures through the computer, and many never order hard copies. I can not remember the last time my mother put together a photo album. What is the point, when we can all gather around the computer screen? Or the new digital picture frames that display a digital image of varying photos. Social networking websites allow other's to see our photos who normally would not, and vice versa. Although the way in which we view photos has changed due to techonological advancements, the significant meanings behind each picture remains the same.