[HPforGrownups] Re: Photographs in the WW

[Dennis]

No: HPFGUIDX 87017

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "ghinghapuss" <rredordead at a...>
wrote:
> 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? 
>
> ...edited...
> 
> 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

Dennis:
Perhaps photos *can* be bewitched to do this, but not all do.  Sirius'
picture in Harry's wedding photo showed him young and handsome, which didn't
at all reflect what Azkaban had done to him.  And people who die don't seem
to keel over in the portraits either, which I think would happen if there
was a "current status" clause on photographs.

--- Later, bboy_mn wrote:
<snip>
> In addition, I have this theory that photos are like miniature stage
> plays. The subjects in the photo are like actors in that they play out
> the context in which the photo is taken and in some case, the context
> in which the photo is used.
>
<snip>

Dennis again:
I like that theory particularly, as it's the best fit of the evidence we
have I've heard.  I would expand it to say that magical (painted) portraits
seem to be different in ways, and achieve a consciousness that simple
photographs do not.  Of course, we'll probably hear all about it before the
end of book 7.  Sounds like complicated, NEWT-level magic to me.  Hope it's
Snape that covers it in Potions class...

-------------
Dennis