Introduction
Taking a Stand in Baton Rouge (Figure 1) is a famous photograph taken by Jonathan Bachman during the 2016 Minnesota protests triggered by the shooting of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling. The image has reached cult status quickly, with many news outlets characterizing it as a treasured piece commenting on the sociopolitical climate of America (Appelbaum, 2016). Ieshia Evans, the protester depicted in the photo, has been referred to as the icon of the protests; like thousands of other young people, she is not afraid to take a stand against oppression despite the imbalance in power.
Photo Analysis
The photo’s greatness can also be linked to its third-person view of the events. Bachman catches a brief moment when Ieshia is faced with the two police officers who are trying to capture her. While there is a line of a dozen officers behind their backs, there is no one behind the girl, which makes the photo even more powerful. It shows a gap between those in the position of authority and those fighting for their rights. What adds to the composition is that Ieshia is wearing a dress that flows in the wind, making her stance even more striking and the photo more compelling.
Form
The woman is vividly in focus against a blurry background of riot police because of the photo’s crisp focus and narrow depth of field. The road’s lines draw the viewer’s attention to the central person, establishing a natural focal point.
Style
The journalistic and frank style effectively captures a tense and confrontational occasion. The sharp contrast between the woman’s soft civilian attire and the police officers’ harsh, uniformed appearance enhances the visual effect.
Technique
The timing of the photographer’s usage of natural light to emphasize the subjects and capture a vibrant moment is perfect. The balance of light and shadow enhances the image’s dramatic effect, and the subdued color scheme highlights the issues rather than the background.
Conclusion
Combining the photograph’s historical context and the composition brings attention to the discussed social issue. Police violence is a problem that has gained traction in the media in the past decade as the cases of brutality have been highlighted. Photographs like this, which appear casual, are detrimental to shaping the sociopolitical landscape of modern society. It magnifies the power imbalance and the deeply rooted systemic injustices affecting people, which lack attention.
Reference
Appelbaum, Y. (2016). A single photo from Baton Rouge that’s hard to forget. The Atlantic. Web.