www.Leazott.com

Picturing Your Past-In Modern Ways                                         2016 09 01
Lesson 011...                                                                                                 Published Monthly

Picture Your Past In The Future...
In the age of computers, we now have the ability to share photos-globally.
Not just only of ourselves, but of other people, places and things.

The way we do that has great influence on how we are remembered in the future.
As dear to us as ourselves, someone or something is, in the future most of that will fade away.
With hundreds of photo's at your disposal, it's doubtful that in 100 years, someone will sort them all.

Making them interesting to someone that will have never known you may be difficult.
A few well chosen photos may have better lasting memories than albums of repeat scenarios.
While it is possible to link as many images as you like, the first few will tell the story to the viewer.

Take the time to choose a few (wisely) that will tell your story in a few short moments.
Choose from various times in your life... Childhood, adolecence, young adult, mature and elderly.
This is not to say you should discard the rest. If someone wants to browse, then make them available!


Why So Few?...
We and our loved ones are very important to us all, but most photo's are for family albums.
For purposes of this article, we are speaking about family trees and their general use or publication.

Think about how you've used other family trees that you've seen and the time you've spent.
Particularly, those persons who lived before your birth. Were there hundreds of pictures?
Todays ability may be "advanced", but it doesn't mean others will spend hours on you.

Several generations from now, they will want to know your main story, not the whole story.
Like you, reading many short biographys in a family tree may be interesting and fun for them.
Also like you, they'll be looking at hundreds-if not thousands of bio's and pictures in those trees.
Making those few memorable instead of making hundreds that are skipped over is the difference.


What To Look For...
There's a difference between showing a person and telling a story.
A persons picture is generally pre-posed and shows their personal features.
Storyline photo's have things that help viewers understand more about the person.
Few photographs can do both at once, but it's worth sharing them if they're available to you.

Here's a few items to look for in old photos (Or arrange for in future ones):

Step One:
Think "Person, Place and Period".
Be sure that people are facing toward the camera.
Include enough recognizable background items that can identify the area.
Dating a photograph takes a little fore-thought. Incorporating these might help.

Choosing a photo already taken may limit the choices, but the information above is the same.
When you're prep'ing for a future picture to take, keep those things in mind to help you pre-plan!


Step Two:
The second step is deciding what medium to use as you document family life.
Believe this or not, computers are not for everyone, and they won't be here forever.

The choices you make should be governed by your goal-"Choices" is a plural term.
Is the album or file for your own or others viewing? Do people look together or on their own?

If you do decide to keep all your files "computer-based", here's a bit of advice...
It's nearly impossibly to keep up with changing technology-or its cost! So don't even try.
Instead, consider saving your work on the internet, such as on your own website or "cloud".

While computers are easy, they're inherantly single person controlled. Consider digital photo frames.
They're inexpensive except the larger ones, in which case, you should buy a small flat-screen tv.
Most flat-screens also take memory cards and usb drives, so...There ya go! "On Demand"!

Photo albums are still a novelty and have something to offer that computers can't-"Tangibility"!
For awards and ribbons, signed birthday cards and memorabilia that images cannot truely capture!
Newspaper articles, obituarys, birth and wedding anouncements and more-All saved as originals!


Step Three:
As with anything, first impressions last a lifetime!
The first one is the picture that defines who they are for all time!
Choose your subjects "cover-picture" well! This is what people will remember!
The picture that stand's out in your memory will likely stand out in others memory as well!

In the photo's that follow, they should be time-oriented...
That is, try to arrange them in somewhat of a chronological order, as best you can.
Whether on family tree software or in photo albums, choose photo's that mark lifes turning points.

The idea is to take the onlooker through a journey of the subjects life.
Make them feel a part of the story by letting the pictures explain the details...

Small children next to their expecting parents can date a picture and tell a story as well!
Moving days though hectic are an important point in time, a family's new start!
If a moment is important to a family, then it's important to the story!
Use these and other times to document what's important!


The Basic Rules...
First...
Choose the medium that suits your needs....
There's nothing wrong with any style, but they do each have a different purpose.

Second...
Use what pictures you already have, and the knowledge you've just gained for the future ones.
Bring the file or album up to date in a chronological order. Make digital backups and protect albums.

Third...
Keep it accessable to others to enjoy with them!
That is after all, the reason for your project... To enjoy it with others!


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

Our family. Our website.
Leazott.com