Nowadays we carry archives in our pockets without thinking of their importance? Why do we keep them on a drive we rarely look through if ‘they mean so much to us’. Archives historically are used for storing images and documents that can teach present and future generations about lifestyles and families. David Bates, a theorist, referred to this by saying: ‘…no longer are photogenic archives merely filled with dusty boxes…’ since ‘digitisation of photographic images online has also generated new networks’. By storing images on a phone or laptop does make photography more accessible to a global demographic, but does this therefore defeat the idea of capturing the importance of moments.
Archives are used for research, however since these archival images are ageing, they can be reviewed and give an impression of living in the past. Useful for photographers when compiling research to be able to have the physical imagery to hold and look at in detail. This can help identify contrasts and similarities within modern and dated photography.
Archives play the important role of identifying past mistakes that can be prevented from repeating themselves using our knowledge from the pre-occured. Nostalgia now playing a big part in society with people reverting back previous fashion,photography and arts, with trends returning due to their pure admiration, for example, film photography becoming a lot more accesible and mainstream for people to fit this new found ‘aesthetic’. Archives take value in preserving the loved to be again loved by a relative or student wanting to expand their vast knowledge.
Société Jersiaise, a local archive that contains many images and documents from jersey’s past. This specific archive is very important as it allows the general public familiarise themselves with either local or personal history. Personal history records including birth/death certificates, marriage registration records, house agreement documents and many more hidden treasures you can relate your roots back to.
Personally, Archives has broadened my horizons of new ways to collect and gather resources for personal and academic use. Archives have shown me the responsibility we all have to leave behind a legacy and journey that future generations could benefit from, and taught me to further care for my general and editorial photographs so generations to come have something to reflect and appreciate.