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Visual Report
In
this photo we see the subject of an older decorated veteran hugging a younger
decorated veteran. The younger veteran has a prosthetic hand. The hugging mens' faces are expressing emotion. Behind the two
men are two other men: one who’s uniform and posture suggests he is in active
duty and one whom is older and probably retired, wearing a blue beret and tie.
These men all have a collection of medals and badges on their uniforms
and hats. It appears that they are gathered outside of a building, perhaps for
a ceremony. There is the edge of a large American Flag that can be seen hanging
on the left side of the frame. Also some sort of camera or audio equipment
seems to be present in the background. The hugging men’s faces express emotion
while the men stationed behind them carry stoic expressions.
Response/Feelings Invoked
-emotion
-nationalism
-sadness
and grief
-pride
-evokes
thoughts of the cost of war
-hug
seen as a gesture of respect and gratitude
-veterans
hand most likely lost in war
-the
men are probably here in ceremony
Symbols
medals
& badges – denotes recognition for service, honor
US
Flag – denotes America, pride
facial
expressions of hugging men – denote emotion
facial
Expression of ben in background – denote stoicism, duty
prosthetic
hand- denotes cost of war, can represent the human violence and casualty
inherent in war itself.
camera
equipment – denotes the media
camouflage
uniform – denotes active duty
suit
and tie uniforms – denotes veterans
The Underlying Compositional Structure Contributes to
the Felt Theme
The
underlying compositional structure of this image does well to express the
emotion I get from viewing it. It is an emotional shot, and the complex mix of
emotions – from sadness to pride is well represented by the central figures
embraced in the foreground. The other elements, including the active duty
officer, the American flag, and the media equipment in the background of the
shot do a good job of establishing the many other aspects of war: Nationalism
symbolized by the flag, media presence, tradition (observed by the various age
of veterans in the shot and their medals,) are in the background, yet are present, contributing to the story of the
gentlemen embracing in the foreground of the shot.
Through the composition and framing of this shot, a lot
of depth of meaning is achieved. Finally, it’s worth mentioning that the
prosthetic hand of the younger gentlemen serves to exaggerate the emotional
mood already present in the picture. This prosthetic can be seen as a symbol of
the cost of war.
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