Photographs in the WW

[ghinghapuss]

No: HPFGUIDX 86954

I have a query about photographs in the WW.

As we all know they move. But do they reflect the current image of 
the witch or wizard?  Or the image of the Witch/Wizard at the time 
the photo was taken? Or either, being the choice of the witch/wizard 
at the time the picture is taken. Perhaps there is a choice of film 
stock: Aging or Non-Aging Photographs.

I began wondering about this when Harry was looking at the photos of 
the escaped DEs in the newspaper in OotP.  Particularly at Bellatrix. 
Page 544, American Edition says "She had long, dark hair that looked 
unkempt and straggly in the picture"  and  "Like Sirius, she retained 
vestiges of great looks, but something - perhaps Azkaban - had taken 
most of her beauty." 

This seems to reflect her current physical state in Azkaban, not as 
she was when she was first arrested.  Which is when mug shots are 
taken in our world.  So either the photos magically age with the 
witch/wizard or the Ministry takes regular photographs of its 
inmates.  Now that would seem like a waste of time if a witch/wizard 
is in Azkaban for life and there is no possibility of escape, which 
was the case before Sirius Black.

Unfortunately the pictures of Harry's parents don't come with a 
description, I don't think. So they are no help. The movies are 
unreliable, although I'll admit the PoA publicity mug shot of Gary 
Oldman as Sirius got me thinking about this again. (And is very good 
I think.)  The James and Lily in the first two films are obviously 
over 30.  However, if the photos do age with time, that would be an 
accurate physical portrait of Lily and James now, well...1991/2.

This is not a mind blowingly interesting post but I was thinking that 
if the pictures do age with time it would be a good way to track down 
witches/wizards who have been lost, on the run, disappeared etc. 
Sirius, and now Bellatrix, would be reluctant to change their 
appearance while on the run if their photographs would give away what 
they look like now.  

Also think of the implications for Metamorphmaguses.  Do their photos 
change as they do? 

I was curious if anyone else had any thoughts on this.

Mandy