A photograph is a visual representation of matter within space. This matter may come in the form of tangible and intangible elements such as objects and culture respectively.
Photographs show the visual field of rhe photographer, his likes, interests and even thougts. Similarly, they convey the physical form of their subjects.
Photographs preserve moments in time, allowing them to be viewed and referenced in future.
Photographs are closely related to the real because they represent real events, people and objects.