Photographs, the split seconds in them, can tell numerous stories, have impact on the viewer, and be used either for good or for evil. A well timed photograph can change the course of history, or shape the future. A picture can be a memory stored in a walled for years and only seen by few, or it can be broadcasted to the world by various social media sites or newspapers.

Photography is often said to be documenting, but it really is more of an art, and the one holding the camera has a lot of power over what he or she wants to show on the image. Crop a little from the left to remove other people from the picture, change the angle, focus on different subjects in the picture, blurring out others, and nowadays there is of course the unlimited possibilities of Photoshop.

Depending on who shares the image and what context its given, the narrative of the image can change drastically, to the point of twisting the truth, or even reversing the whole meaning of it.

I would advice everyone and anyone to view images in the media with a critical eye, especially if they are used as proof of an important event, or even a crime. Most media outlets have a political agenda, and they are very good at using powerful photographs to tell the story they want to tell, regardless of the truth.

Without me telling you anything about the image above, what do you see in it?

_{Write down your answer in the comments before proceeding to read the rest of this post.}

I could make the image fit a number of different scenarios by creating a narrative around it, but I will tell you the real story behind the picture, at least the part I know about. It could have different meanings to the people in the picture, or people who know them closely.

This is a picture I took of @annester with hers and @cryptoctopus' baby girl, when a big group of us Steemians were having a tour of Auschwitz. Even though you can't really see any clear signs that this was taken in Auschwitz, it makes the image so much more special for those who now know where it was taken, at least that is how I feel about it myself.

The contrast between being in a place were such horrible acts agains innocent humans took place, and witnessing a mother and daughter have a lovely moment, is quite powerful.

_{Ps. @annester and @cryptoctopus, I hope you like the picture.}