Design expert explains why Trump assassination attempt photo is so impactful
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Elevation, colour – and the American flag. Here's what makes Evan Vucci's Trump photograph so powerful
https://theconversation.com/elevation-colour-and-the-american-flag-heres-what-makes-evan-vuccis-trump-photograph-so-powerful-234662
The photo was one of several taken at the scene by Associated Press Chief Photographer Evan Vucci , who was part of the AP team that won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for its coverage of the death of George Floyd .
According to Oscar, the 'strength' of this photo can be broadly divided into three parts: composition, color, and elements that are not visible in the photograph. In this photo, Vucci is holding the camera looking up at the subject, capturing the appearance of Secret Service agents dressed in suits guarding Trump's body in the center. At this time, the Secret Service agents form a triangle, with Trump at the apex.
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Apart from Trump, the man in sunglasses who is a Secret Service agent slightly to the right of the center is also noteworthy. This man's gaze is directed towards the camera lens, and Oscar explains the effect of this: 'The agent is looking at the photographer, and therefore at us who are drawn into the photograph. In other words, he is reflecting our gaze towards the photograph. This man's position in the center guides our gaze to Trump's raised fist.'
The second strong element of color is what ties the photo together. The photo is set against a cloudless sky, and all of the colors in the photo are in three colors: red, white, and navy blue. The blood running down Trump's face echoes the red stripes of the American flag, and matches the color of the podium, which can be seen in the lower left, which is red, the color of the Republican Party.
And the third point is another background that is not directly visible in the photograph. In an interview after the shoot, Vucci said that in order to take a 'decisive shot,' it is important for him to maintain his composure as a photographer, to capture the scene with the right composition and light, and to ensure that multiple perspectives are covered.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Evan Vucci (@evanvucci)
This statement is consistent with what many photographers believe: 'When taking a photograph, the most important things to keep in mind are composition, light, timing, and making sure the subject is perfectly integrated into the frame - these are the key to getting the 'right shot'.'
When taking such photographs, the camera has the power to rival that of a gun, said the writer, filmmaker, and activist Susan Sontag . In her book, Sontag wrote, 'Shooting and taking a photograph are similar. A photograph is in a sense a weapon, just like a gun, and photographs and the way we express ourselves and see the world can be weapons that change public perception.'
Oscar also points out the similarities between Vucci's photograph and 'Flags on Iwo Jima,' a World War II photograph by Joe Rosenthal .
The composition of this photograph also includes a pyramid with the Stars and Stripes at the top, but Oscar said, 'The similarities between these two photographs are striking, and show how looking at a photograph can go beyond composition. When you look at a photograph like this, you begin to see the world and events as the photograph does, and at the same time, you begin to see history as a series of photographs.' He pointed out that the two photographs are not just similar in composition, but also have the power to change the viewer's perception.
