The majority of the time, a photo is deemed "historical" or "famous" not because of the quality of the photograph itself but rather because of the importance of the object or person in the picture.  The famous photograph taken on the tragic day of September 11, 2001 has since become one of these historical pictures for both of the reasons previously listed. Through the clashing of light and dark color, this image exhibits the juxtaposition between strength and weakness.  The background of the photo displays nothing but destruction and rubble portrayed in a dark dreary color, while the foreground exhibits the firefighters and the American flag with vibrant colors.  The lines in the photo present the separation between order and chaos as well as symbolize the strength and hope overcoming vulnerability and carnage.  This photo went on to become the face America for a long time following the events of 9/11 and the main reason was because the themes in this image are captured in a way that no other photograph, taken on that day, was able to acquire. 

The organized and unified foreground overcoming and standing out against the chaotic background is really what makes this image stand out right away.  As the rubble and what was left of one of the tallest buildings in the world piled up and smothered the streets of New York City along with many lives below, the colors of that grey melted metal overtook everything around it.  In the picture, the American flag looks as if it is almost glowing due to the fact that everything else is the one dark color. Along with flag, are the vibrant colors of the firefighters uniforms as well as the color of their faces sticking out against the background.  The presentation of these vibrant colors being superior to the darkness of destruction portrays the strength in the picture defeating the terror. 

Along with the background portraying destruction and weakness, what really is so enthralling about it are the lines that make up the rubble.  These lines are going every which way in the background, representing nothing but a lack of direction.  The steel poles and building materials themselves have no pattern what so ever which looks so strange because we as humans are so used to seeing things of this nature laid out perfectly in architectural genius in order to make up or support large buildings and objects.  To see roots of the building, the actual items that once supported and held up such a large object, destroyed on the ground, it depicts of scene of complete catastrophe.  These roots, the foundation of the largest most iconic buildings in America's most famous city, had been exposed therefore inflicting catastrophe and fear.  However despite the destruction being highlighted in the background, there is another message being portrayed by another grouping of lines. These lines, to no surprise, portray a much different message in the foreground of the picture. Compared to the background, much like the story was with the contrasting colors, the lines in the foreground paint a picture of unity and strength.  It seems as if every line is touching the next, thus creating a stable platform on which the flag can be raised.  The actual metal poles literally were placed in the specific spots were they are in the image so that the makeshift "flag pole" would be strong enough.  

However, the main difference between the lines in the background and foreground is the fact that everything is much more vertical in the foreground.  Starting from the ground up it seems as if there is almost a clear path that goes from the bottom and continues to go even higher than the image was able to capture.  On a symbolic level, it is easy to determine that while the flag is on a vertical line, being raised above all of the destruction, what this means.  However, it is also crucial to note the faces of the firemen because there are three imaginary lines that are critical for one to notice if they are to get the full meaning of what is exhibited in this photo.  The expressions on the men who witnessed the tragedy first hand, exhibit the emotion that automatically comes to any observer of this image. 

The faces of these men tell the story that the entire photo is attempting to portray.  Not only are they on a direct line looking up to the symbolic American flag, but also are standing a top all of the decimated debris.  They are literally rooted to the ground and because of this, are perfect examples of overcoming fear.  It is understood that these firemen climbed up twenty feet to get up to where they are standing.  The man who took this photograph claims to have been more than one hundred and fifty yards away, yet despite being a good distance away, he claims it would have been impossible to not notice what was happening.  These three firefighters were not doing this to pose for a photograph; in fact they did not even know anyone was watching because they did not see another person around them and certainly did not see the photographer.  The only thing they wanted to achieve was do what they thought was right. 

The background and foreground coupled with the lines and faces that are portrayed in this photo tell a different perspective of a story that so many people around the world witnessed.  The themes in this image tell a story of strength and unity coming together to overcome fear and destruction.  This raw moment in time that just so happened to be picked up by a photographer would not only become one of the most patriotic and historical photos for the United States of America, but it would become the face of newspapers and magazines across the world for years to come. 

