breeze /br 201_06-10-04 photo

Breeze Olsson: Photograph Analysis – 10/04/2006

Photo Credit: Michael Macor/The Chronicle
link to full article

Physical Description:

Photograph taken from S.F. Chronicle newspaper September 12, 2006.
The caption read: Twin beams of light pierce the sky above Manhattan to complete a day of observances at ground zero. (did not read this until after writing this report)
Medium: Color half-tone printed on newsprint paper. Colors are faded a bit and there is fairly low contrast throughout image.

Composition:

Well-placed elements using the “golden 1/3’s” rule.
Enough contrast of color (warm vs. cool) and value (light vs. dark) guides the eyes directly to the subject of most importance in the photograph, the spot lights on the right 1/3 vertical line of the 2-dimentional space.
Large areas of ‘less interest’ are covered with texture making it less unappealing, but not too busy as to cause distraction to the eye.
Patterns in clouds bring eye back around to city line (keeps viewer attention from drifting off the page.
Subject matter is intriguing and upon closer inspection, viewer’s attention is drawn to smaller elements of composition, drawing focus to other aspects of the image without completely losing focus.

Context:

The New York cityscape is easily recognized by viewers. Search lights are at location where World Trade Center Twin Towers once stood. Visually representing the famous architectural landmark, the lights create the illusion that the former tallest buildings in the world still stand in spite of their collapse 5 years ago.

Content:

In memory of the events of September 11, 2001, ground zero (World Trade Center location) search lights tore the New York skyline with a light display that could be seen from miles around.

Potential Social implications:

Religious conflict, racial barriers, nationalistic honor/fascism, socio-economic issues. Many implications brought to mind by seeing searchlights as a visual representation of the Twin Towers. Not going there!

Personal Interpretation:

I chose this photograph mainly because of its aesthetic value (put it on my fridge door). I do find myself wondering about the countless people that were involved in the production of organizing such an event (traffic, crowds, hauling equipment to the site, electricians arguing logistics of powering the lights, etc.).
The spot/search lights used (symbolic of Hollywood, entertainment and celebratory markers) draw the eyes of viewers all from miles around N.Y. – and by aid of journalistic photography viewers from all over the world.
No mater what one’s background or preconceived notion of what happened 9/11/2001, individuals are “invited” to celebrate their own memory of what that day. Each one of us has a personal emotion (or an array of them) associated with the events that took place that day. Morning the loss of the 5000+ lives is inevitable regardless of where one finds him/herself within the six levels of separation from people involved in the incident. But celebrate a feeling, an idea, an emotion. “I’m alive” and the best way to honor those who have passed is to celebrate their lives… regardless of how, where or when they died.