The photo that Eugene Smith took served a basic purpose. The photo is an attempt to encapsulate the suffering that the people of Minamata have experienced while still adding a loving, family aspect to the photo. The staged photo was made in this way so that people could get many feelings through viewing it. On first glance, the photograph would shock them, however on a deeper examination they can see almost comforting elements to it. The photograph is just a means to enhance the story of the people of Minamata that Smith was attempting to tell the world about.