The significance of Orphan Photography: Rethinking Vernacular Photography in the context of Art History

The study investigates the cultural and historical significance of orphan photographs, a category of unnamed, unclaimed, or abandoned photos that offer intriguing insights into the lives of everyday people and challenge conventional notions of family representation, thereby contributing to the growing field of vernacular photography studies. Orphan photographs have often been overlooked in the context of visual history studies. However, this study also proposes to fill a gap in the existing literature. The first part examines the structure of family photo albums, emphasizing that the photographs on an album may not always represent authentic family relationships and events. Furthermore, the significance of orphaned photos is highlighted, demonstrating how they provide insights into regular people's daily lives and societal customs. Sharing and organizing vernacular photography has become possible with the rise of digital technologies and online platforms, while repair and preserving technologies have made it possible to keep and fix ancient and damaged photos. Orphan photos are valuable as artistic and academic works because they can be reinterpreted and recontextualized in novel and thought-provoking ways. In conclusion, abandoned photos provide exceptional views of the past and present, providing valuable insight into everyday people's lives and social traditions.