Family photo frame analysis

Frame: Family photo

Who are the members in this family?

In this family, there are 3 members, the mother, the father and their son.

How is their position in the photo?

The mother is sitting in the centre of the photo, and both the son and father are standing at the back of the chair that the mother is sitting. The son is also standing at the left of the father.

How is your analysis?

In traditional Chinese families, mother can never be the main character of the family. However, in this photo, the mother is sitting in the centre and the father and the son is standing on the side. The father and the son seem to be serving and protecting the mother just like her guard. Of course, in many families, the father and the mature son are both the protector of the family. Therefore, we can still find out some evidence in this photo to show the traditional practice of this family. Also, this photo shows the relationship of the family members in it. They are not too imitative in their gestures. But their position showed the father and the son have a strong intention to protect and serve the family. Their relationship is not focused on the human emotions but the support of each other, the protection of each other.

The photo shows the faces of the family members. Audience can easily recognize they are from the same family. The three members look like each other very much. So, the audience can easily get the idea of family photo. Their gestures and facial expressions are not too cool and not too imitate, therefore, the photo showed the “official” relationship of this family. The photo also showed the size and characteristics of this family. This family is nuclear families just have three members. Usually, in HK families, there are only few members and known as nuclear families after the economic bloom of 1980s.

Frame: Cantonese opera club show memorial

Who is in the photo?

The performer, her husband and son.

Where the photo was took?

At the backstage of the performance venue.

How is your analysis?

The photo has an intention to show the performer was the main character. She sit in the centre of the photograph. The photo showed the performance of the performer is important to her family members. All the family members came to the venue to support her. The performer dressed up not causal, this shows the performance is important to her too. The photo also shows the environment. It is the backstage of the theater, it is obvious for the audience to notice the photograph is a memorial of the show.

The site of audiencing

This photo is shown in the obvious position in the flat of the family. It is already an official family representation. The display intention of this photo is to let the audience can easily to understand and get the idea of this family. Such as the family size, the members and also the relationship of the members. Moreover, the photo has a function that showing to the audience that the mother is a performer. After the audience know about the situation, the owner of this photograph (the mother) can start her story telling on her experience of singing Cantonese opera.