The Oldest Generation As Displayed in Family Photographs

Abstract

Photographs of family groups are often taken by family members on specific occasions and arranged in very deliberate ways. Those members being photographed are conscious that the resulting image may be stored in albums or other family archives and be available for themselves and others to peruse in the years to come. How people are positioned reflects the temporal and relational dimensions of the group. Our particular interest lies in intergenerational arrangements, for example in how members of the oldest generation are often seated at the centre.

A version of this chapter was presented at the 1st International Visual Methods Conference, University of Leeds, 16 September 2009.