HSTAA 208 The City: 4. Photographs

View of the Alaska Way Viaduct courtesy of the Library of Congress.

Digitized Collections of Images

Links to additional collections of images can be found on the History Research Guide. For more information on images see Finding and Using Digital Images.

Non-Digitzed Collections of Images

Many photograph collections in Special Collections have not been digitized. Below is a list of collections with photos that might be relevant to your area. When you are searching finding aids, the blue camera icon in an inventory will indicate the photo has been digitized and will link to the digital copy. Try addresses ("3rd & Yesler") and buildings you are interested in when searching for best results.

How to Use Photographs

Photographs, drawings and other images provide information you can't always get from a text source. Images can provide details of everyday life such as clothing or material culture. It is important to keep in mind that photographs are not an unbiased reflection of reality -- the photographer chooses what and how to depict a certain scene. When using images ask yourself, "why it was created, how it was used, how this subject that was depicted here, was understood."

Strengths

Photographs, drawings and other images provide information you can't always get from a text source. Images can provide details of everyday life such as clothing and material culture.
Photographs of the same area taken at different times can show change over the years.

Keep in mind

Many photographs come with limited information about the photographer, location and date. You will need to analyze the photograph for clues.
Photographs are not an unbiased reflection of reality -- the photographer chooses what and how to depict a certain scene. You need to ask your self what was the purpose of the photograph.

For more information on using photographs see: Making Sense of Documentary Photographs, Analyzing Photographs, Analyzing Material Culture, Photo Analysis Worksheet, Learning to do Historical Research: Photographic Images.