The commonly used expression, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" holds true to all works of art including the 9/11 image used in this photo essay. This specific photo is so powerful that it often time induces different perspectives for people. These perspectives may be directly correlated to how personally impacted the viewer is to this event, how long ago the person was reminded of it, or even how it relates to their daily encounters. In this image, the different perspectives juxtaposed together embody the themes of hope and tragedy. In one simple picture, two clashing themes hold true over multiple perspectives through elements of visual design such as lines, shapes, colors, and symbolism.

The emotional and generalized diversity of each firefighter forces their perspectives to vary. For example, each firefighter in this photo is looking in a different direction, which represents how they feel. Every firefighter is coming from a different place in their live and therefore each of them are going to respond to 9/11 differently. Some of the firefighters have slumped posture expressing hopelessness while others look ahead toward a bright future. In the same sense, if this essay is someone's first connection with 9/11, then that viewer is going to feel more distant from the event than someone who lost a loved one from this terrorist attack. 

Another key detail about the perspective of this picture is that the photograph was taken from a downward angle. This is interesting because one could argue that this view point could have been seen by one of the terrorist looking down at the destruction he caused. Most people who were affected by 9/11 were on the ground, therefore the photographer could have easily used this angle to represent the view point of someone who was not affected by 9/11. Because the majority of people viewing this essay are Americans, this vantage point evokes a certain emotion of pride and protection for the future of their country. Although the perspectives of this image can be contrasting, everyone has an opinion of the photo no matter how closely the event affected them.

One of the ways the photographer brought about emotion in the picture is through the use of contrasting shapes and lines. For example, the alignment of these visual elements shifts from destructive chaos in the foreground to a more organized structure in the background. The portrayal of destruction is represented by things like hard lines and overlapping edges that make one feel intimated and overwhelmed. As the movement of the picture flows to the background, through a passage of water, the shapes become more orderly and less harsh. There are buildings that are still standing and musty clouds cover the page with no definition of lines. The movement within the picture tells the viewer that although the victims were experiencing heartache now, there is structure and hope in the future. 

This photo is successful in the fact is can induce emotion through the use of color. Grey and black are splattered across the page creating the image of death and feeling of sadness. However, as one decomposes the background, colors of orange and purple fill the picture connecting feelings of ambition, hope, and strength. The placement of these colors in the background are significant because they are surrounded by structure signifying that this chaos is not everlasting. A final color displayed is the blue sky. This color is significant because everything on "Ground Zero" is dark, but the sky remains constant. The purity of the sky is real, yet intangible creating a contrast between realism and abstraction. Religious figures might say that the purity of the sky represents heaven and that even though there is destruction and death on the Earth, the purity of heaven is everlasting. Depending on the colors the viewer chooses focuses on, he or she could interpret this image with feelings of hope or feelings of tragedy.

One might say that it is quite easy to simply capture a picture, but if no one is able to give meaning to the photo, then the image is worthless. Because of the significance of this event and the overwhelming visual elements within the image, the picture is brought to life and given meaning. One of the many symbols that can be retracted is seen through a building that has been split down the middle. A building that used to stand tall in unity is now divided in two. Although 9/11 eventually strengthened America, the devastation that occurred from this event caused heavy burdens on people and caused them to turn their back on trust. The building going two different directions represents how some people leaned into the community and others turned away. The contrast between community and isolation within the photo speak to the overall interpretation of the image and America's conflicting attitude towards 9/11. 

Another symbol that can be pulled from this image is how the dirty water is a reflection of the destruction around them. Just like the hearts and lives of victims have been polluted so has the water been contaminated with darkness. Water is supposed to be clear and translucent, but its thick blackness signifies how much of the future is unknown. The thematic tragedy represented in this essay gives light to the perspective of those who experienced this catastrophe first hand. 

One of the biggest ways perspective is symbolized in the photo is the shattered frame surrounding the picture. The frame represents something that used to be whole but is now broken similar to the picture the viewers see. The overwhelming destruction and chaos in this picture show a society that is broken and fragmented much like that of the frame. Using a frame to enclose the picture creates a window effect. Each person is going to interpret the story of this picture differently. The frame is telling the viewers that no one perspective can be perfect. Because everyone carries different life experiences with them, each interpretation of this singular picture will be different, yet equally important.

It is important to realize that certain events in life will undoubtedly affect the people, however not everyone will react to these actions in the same way. Through the display of this image one can accurately see how America was affected by the tragedy of 9/11. The combination of hope and tragedy characterize the graphic display of the essay. Whether one's interpretation is positive or negative, the perspective that one views this image from is dependent upon their life experiences. 

