Holocaust Photos – How to Handle the Viewing of Holocaust Photos

There are many expansive collections of Holocaust photos that can be found online, in books, and in museums. These images are very telling for anyone interested in learning more about the Holocaust. It can be nearly impossible to picture the horrors that took place during this time, but photographic evidence brings it all to life. While pictures from the Holocaust have an important place in any collection of evidence, it's important to approach these images in the right way. Many Holocaust pictures are extremely disturbing, and are not appropriate for all viewers. You should take great care when you're dealing with images like these.
 
If you're teaching children about the Holocaust, you need to take the time to carefully screen all Holocaust photos before you share them. Parents or legal guardians should be consulted before images of this nature are shown to children. While the appropriate age for these kinds of images will vary with each family, late middle school or high school are probably the most appropriate times for these kinds of pictures. Sensitive children may not be able to view these images at all. The facts about what took place during the Holocaust are horrifying enough. For some, the pictures may be too much to handle.
 
When you're selecting Holocaust photos for a presentation or project, keep the audience in mind when you make your selection. It's possible to illustrate some points about the Holocaust without the use of graphic images. A photo of the gates of Auschwitz is chilling, even without prisoners in the shot. Images of emaciated prisoners can be less disturbing than photographs of the bodies found in piles by the Allied liberators of the concentration camps. Some Holocaust photos, taken shortly before death with victims at gunpoint, should be used with extreme care. Holocaust photos should never be used for their shock factor alone.
 
Holocaust photos paint a very compelling picture of this part of history. They make it difficult not to be moved by what happened. When you're displaying photos of this nature, it's often best to let the viewers decide how much they want to see. Offer descriptions of the photos within the link when you're sharing photos online. In an exhibit, you may want to place photos beneath a covering or flap so visitors can choose what they want to see. Always provide appropriate warnings before exposing viewers to graphic photos. These sensitive images need to be handled with care at all times.