With the Photographer — A Comic Encounter with Candid Truths

A satirical take on studio photography captures the humor and tension in transforming ordinary moments into something more, as showcased in "With the Photographer."

English Literature Gems Suggested for: Grade 10 | Humor | Prose Examination Posted by: English Mines Team

✨ Introduction

Welcome back to English Mines, where we dig deep into the finest pieces of English literature — stories that not only entertain, but make us think, laugh, and sometimes even look in the mirror.

Today’s gem is With the Photographer by the Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock — a short prose piece that turns a routine task (having your photograph taken) into a delightful comedy of errors. But beneath the humour lies a subtle message about identity, insecurity, and society’s obsession with looking “perfect.”

With a reluctant gaze, the photographer greets his customer in a vintage studio, showcasing a palpable air of disinterest.

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📷 A Visit That Took a Turn

The story is narrated by a man who simply wants his photo taken. He walks into a studio, expecting a quick, easy session. Instead, he finds himself at the mercy of a lifeless, stern photographer who barely looks at him — but has very strong opinions about how his face should look.

The result? His mouth is closed, then open, then closed again. His ears are criticized. His head is twisted. His lungs are expanded. Even his waist is "contracted"! And just when he’s about to protest — SNICK! — the photograph is taken.

When he returns to view the picture, he finds something shocking: it doesn’t look like him at all.

Lost in time, the weary narrator contemplates his choices amid stacks of dusty magazines and an endless wait.

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🎭 Humour Meets Satire

Stephen Leacock uses gentle humour and irony to show us how ridiculous the whole situation is. The photographer is so focused on improving the image that he forgets it’s supposed to look like a person. The result is funny — but also a bit sad.

The narrator says, "This is my face, the only one I have," a line that resonates deeply.

A photographer adjusts his vintage camera while his rigid subject displays a mix of serious unease and comic tension, capturing an amusing studio moment.

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📱 A Modern Parallel

It’s fascinating to see how relevant this story is, even today. Just think about all the editing apps, beauty filters, and “ideal looks” that flood our screens. The pressure to look “perfect” in photos hasn’t gone away — it's just moved from the studio to social media.

Stephen Leacock’s story reminds us that it’s okay to look like ourselves — in fact, it’s something to be proud of.

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📝 What Can Students Learn?

This story is a perfect resource for:

✅ Understanding satire and humour in literature

✅ Exploring themes like insecurity, perfectionism, and identity

✅ Observing how character and tone are built through dialogue

✅ Reflecting on contemporary issues like photo editing and self-image

Capturing the perfect portrait becomes a comical struggle in fine-tuning the subject's pose to meet the photographer's meticulous standards.

Capturing the perfect portrait, one awkward pose at a time.

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🧠 Reflect and Discuss

• Why does the narrator react so strongly to the changes in his photograph?

• Do you think the photographer is doing his job or going too far?

• How would this story play out in the age of selfies and Photoshop?

• Why do you think we are uncomfortable with imperfection?

  
  

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💬 Final Thought

In just a few pages, With the Photographer shows us how even the most ordinary moments can be full of humour, tension, and meaning. It's not just about a photo — it’s about how we see ourselves, and how others try to improve what doesn’t need fixing.

So the next time you’re in front of a camera, take a moment to appreciate the real you. Leacock certainly would have.

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A perplexed man stares at a flawless yet unfamiliar photograph of himself, captured with a vintage camera, embodying a humorous mix-up at the portrait studio.

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A confrontation unfolds in a vintage photography studio, where authenticity challenges the pursuit of artificial perfection.

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A nervous man sits under a spotlight, sweating profusely as a focused cameraman peers through an old-fashioned camera, hidden beneath a black cloth.

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