Commentary on Sample Essay Two

Photo Writing

In what I call "photo writing," the writer closely examines a photograph from the past and pieces together a story or scenario that adds background information to the information provided by the photo itself.

In this sample, Peggy Freeberg begins with a photograph of her parents sitting on the porch of the home in which Peggy grew up. She notices every detail, beginning with her parents themselves. She notes, for example, that both parents have dark hair although she doesn't remember them as having anything other than gray, or graying, hair. Indeed Peggy was the "baby" of the family and was quite young when this photo was taken.

Peggy also notices the absence of glasses on her mother. She cannot remember her mother without glasses, so this photo gives her a window into aspects of the past that she cannot consciously remember.

From the simple observation of her father reading the newspaper, Peggy is reminded of how important reading was to her father. She adds information about her father's love of reading and how he even insisted on the children bringing home their school books for him to read.

Peggy also observes her father's sock feet, an observation that sparks a memory of the way she used to untie his laces at the end of a long day.

The detail of her mother chewing on a toothpick, a habit which Peggy seems to have inherited without conscious awareness, is touching. Have you ever visited a relative and had that jolt of recognition when you see that the relative shares a habit or preference with you? Perhaps you have both painted your kitchens the same color or carry your bags the same way. Maybe you take your coffee the same and even both stir it with a fork. These small intimate details can often be discovered in a photo if you take the time to look very closely at each one. Peggy shares with us this kind of discovery when she notes a shared habit between her and her mother.

In examining the background, the place itself, Peggy also draws sensitively on what is provided in the photo. She notices the "intricate pillars" on this modest farmhouse porch and proceeds to tell about how this house eventually fell into disrepair. The strength and beauty of the pillars suggests the strength and beauty of Peggy's parents who, sadly, are no longer alive.

Peggy notes the window in the background and this reminds her of the way family members would chase flies out the windows on hot summer days. This is a perfect example of wrapping a story around a single aspect of a photograph, an aspect which would most likely go unnoticed if not elaborated by a written memory.

Finally, Peggy ends her "photo writing" on a light note by bringing the viewer's attention to what appears to be a big frog in the left foreground of the photograph. Not only does this add humor, but it also evokes feelings of a simple life on the prairie, a life shared with frogs and other wildlife.. . the childhood Peggy remembers.

Why don't you look though your own photo collection and see if you can write a story around a photo of your own choosing? The best photos for this kind of essay are informal candid shots rather than formal posed studio shots. The more authentic the background the better. Have fun!

Return to Sample Essays