From Digital Camera World · · 50s
School portraits teach modern photographers
100-year-old school photos show why naming people matters more than camera settings.
In brief
100-year-old school photos show why naming people matters more than camera settings. Modern photographers should label group photos to help future generations identify people. Originally reported by Digital Camera World.
1927 school portrait
A 1927 class photo from Mountain School in Wilbraham, Massachusetts shows nine pupils and a teacher.
“Teacher Pearl Curtis Supernow and her pupils at Mountain School, Wilbraham, June 1927.”
Names on the back
The photo's back lists every child's name, including Paul Kittredge, James Curns, and teacher Pearl Supernow.
“Paul Kittredge, James Curns, Gilbert Stacy, Wilfred Bennett along the front, then Madella Stacy, Georgia Curns, Florence Dupont, the teacher Pearl Supernow, Janet Piper and a girl whose surname they weren't sure of ("Louise?").”
1906 school photo
A 1906 photo from Fairview School in Illinois shows the school's location and district with copperplate text.
“Niles Township, Ill, District 72, Sept. 1906”
1901 graduation photo
A 1901 graduation photo from Independence, Missouri includes future president Harry S Truman and his wife.
“Graduating class photograph, Independence, Missouri, 1901.”
Why names matter
Modern photographers lack the human detail that names add to historical photos.
“Those details need to be written down by an actual human.”
The plea
Photographers should spend five minutes labeling group photos to help future generations.
“Think of future generations. And next time you shoot a group of people, take five minutes to write down who's who.”
The key point
Modern photographers should label group photos to help future generations identify people.
