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Educator Resources

Analyze a Photograph

Download the illustrated PDF version. (PDF)

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Meet the photo.

  • Quickly scan the photo. What do you notice first?
  • Type of photo (check all that apply):
    Portrait Landscape Aerial/Satellite Action Architectural
    Event Family Panoramic Posed Candid
    Documentary Selfie Other
  • Is there a caption?

Observe its parts.

  • List the people, objects and activities you see.
    • PEOPLE:
    • OBJECTS:
    • ACTIVITIES:

Try to make sense of it.

Answer as best you can. The caption, if available, may help.

  • Who took this photo?
  • Where is it from?
  • When is it from?
  • What was happening at the time in history this photo was taken?
  • Why was it taken? List evidence from the photo or your knowledge about the photographer that led you to your conclusion.

Use it as historical evidence.

  • What did you find out from this document that you might not learn anywhere else?
  • What other documents or historical evidence are you going to use to help you understand this event or topic?

Materials created by the ÍþÄá˹ÈËÓéÀÖ³¡ and Records Administration are in the public domain.

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