A historical photograph is evidence of a selected view

Start with what the image visibly shows, then read its documented context. A crowded platform may prompt questions about travel, but appearance alone cannot establish every person's motive or experience.

A crowded platform image does not reveal every person's reason for travelling.

Keep inference separate from description

Observe details. Read context. List unanswered questions.

Separate visible evidence from assumptions about motives or feelings. A caption can add context but may still leave important questions unanswered.

Do not infer feelings from appearance alone. Which claim needs another source?

Use observation and question columns.

Resources

• Interview Someone Special — Adapt the interview prompts with voluntary participation and agreed permissions.

Further reading

• National Museum of Australia — Digital Classroom

Read next

• Then and now does not have to become worse and better
• An oral-history interview begins with choice and permission
• Ask whose stories the resource actually includes

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