“This is what I like about photographs. They’re proof that once, even if just for a heartbeat, everything was perfect. – Jodi Picoult.

A N C E S T O R S  B E C O M E  E N I G M A S  I N  T I M E

This week’s challenge on partner Susan and my alternate site, WEEKLY PROMPTS, was FAMILY PHOTO.

I chose the term “family photo” out of respect to that one elusive photograph that we all discover whenever we decide to clean out the family attic or that multitude of cardboard boxes cluttering the garage that contain memorabilia from another time and era many times revealed when a family estate is being distributed to surviving family members.

The “camera obscura” is a 19th century optical device often used by artists to make quick sketches in the field. It was used for sketching; the tracing paper was placed on the missing glass inside the folding hood, and a 45° mirror inside the box reflected the image onto the paper.

These days the technology involved with the cameras installed on cell phones, tablets and hand held units enable the pixels used in the photo, the time and date and even the location to be discovered and examined without too much difficulty.

But back in the day these conveniences were not available and getting that perfect photo did not involve preserving the identity of the person standing in front of the lens. Identifying the family member in the photo depended on “word of mouth” transmission and if that person did not share the information then all was lost.

The featured photo is revealing in itself in that it has preserved a place in time for this youngster as he ( I learned it was a little boy) stood still waiting for the photographer to take his picture.

If you have such a photo please feel free to click on the link below and share it with us.

Wednesday Challenge – Family Photo