Visual Rhetoric

This image needs no explanation. Even if we were not there on that day, we felt it to the center of our beings.

Obviously, the content is the terror of the 9-11 attack, the collapse of the first tower, and the flight of the victims from the ensuing destruction. The prominent image, even though it is not necessarily in the forground, is the smoke, dust, and debris from the falling tower. In the foreground, we do see the look of panic and fear on the faces of those running from what they had yet to even understand.

The framing was probably done “on the fly”, as the photographer was no doubt in panic as well. It does, however, speak to the photographers instinct that the photograph does have some composition. This photo evokes in most Americans a visceral response, even though we can not see the planes, or the towers, we know exactly what is taking place, and the consequences that followed, even to this very day.

Interesting to me is the fact of the impromptu composition. On both side of the photo, we see what might be described as a normal day on the streets of New York. The awning of a shop, other undisturbed buildings, and tall trees lining the street. The center of the photo, however, reveals the chaos invading, destroying everything that was thought to be “normal” up until then. This seems to be the theme of the photo, death and destruction visited upon what was thought to be unbreachable normalcy. The focus seems professional, this is another compliment to the photographer in a time of such stress.

The lighting is natural, as the photo was taken outside, and the texture seems almost dusty and vibrant at the same time.

The angle of the picture is what one might imagine would be the angle of a fireman or policeman. Looking toward the mayhem, as others run away from it in a panic. It is at the same level as the people in the photo, but looking in the opposite direction.

There is no question about the significance of this photo. It speaks not only to every American, but also serves as a warning to any other nation in the world that this kind of destruction could be applied to them if they are not vigilant. There is also the probability that this image and others like it strike a cord within terrorists that claimed a victory that day. Regardless of theology or religion, this is an image that can not be dismissed.