Photographs capture moments — Art, 4–6
A photograph uses a camera to keep one view from one moment. Choosing what enters the picture is part of making the photograph.
A camera keeps one view
A camera makes a picture of light at one particular moment. The photograph keeps what the camera was pointed towards, but not everything that was around it. When you move the camera or change its direction, you choose a different part of the world to show.
Why people take photographs
A moment can pass before you have time to draw it or tell someone about it. A photograph solves this problem by keeping a view that can be looked at later. People take photographs to remember a place, notice a small detail or show someone what happened.
Photograph a red cup
Put a red cup on a table beside a leaf. First, look through the camera and notice both objects. Move closer until the cup and leaf fill the picture. Turn slightly so a bright window is not behind them. Press the button when the leaf is still; now the photograph shows the moment you chose.
The camera does not show everything
You may think a photograph contains the whole place because you can see the place with your eyes. That is a reasonable mistake: your eyes look around and join many views together. A camera records only the small view inside its frame, so check the edges before you press the button.
Where photographs help
Photographs are used in family albums, books, news, maps and messages. A picture of a lost toy can help someone recognise it, while a picture of a birthday can help you remember the day. When you take a photograph of a person, ask first and respect their answer.
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