While still oozing a brilliant white stream of sparks and smoke, a canister of tear gas is in the hand of a masked African American man mid-throw, this is the scene playing out in photographer Robert Cohen's picture. This is said to one of the most powerful images in America in 2014, capturing a moment in the riots following the trial of the officer accused of the murder of Michael Brown. Apart from the powerful time in history this picture depicts, the elements of design used in this picture make it also visually powerful.

One of the most prominent element of design in this image is contrast, it is used to direct the viewers gaze to a specific part of the image. Upon first glance of this picture the eye is drawn to the flare and smoke coming out of the canister. Its vibrant white color is a stark contrast from the almost pitch black background. By making the can the focus of this image the artist could be trying to indicate the gravity of the situation, that officers actually fired a can of tear gas at U.S. citizens. Following the smoke through the picture the bright light gives way to the other protestors behind it showing that the protestor throwing the can is not alone and that others feel the same way he does. Finally the eye is drawn to the contrast of lights and darks in the thrower's shirt and pants emphasizing his action, not only is he protesting injustice, but he is also sending a message that he will not take endure such injustice any longer. The way the contrast leads the viewer glance through the image adds to the images strength

While contrast moves the eye trough the image color is used to invoke emotion. Most colors have a preconceive emotion attached to it, but these preconception do not always hold true. In most cases the color white represents hope and peace, but in this picture the bright white color is almost painful to look at as if to indicate the pain brought by the colors source. The black in this image, though usually thought of as the color of despair and malus, has a somewhat comforting feel. Being the most present color and seeing how almost the whole image is dark, it is as if the black background is enveloping and protecting the protesters. Another color present is the blue, which is associated with a calm nature, but the jeans in which the blue is found are in anything but a calm pose as the man is caught mid throw. Through color artists can convey deeper emotions to their audience though it may not be the emotion they are used to.

With contrast and color, symbolism in another key element in this picture. With this the artist draws the viewer in and connects with their audience. The American flag shown in the thrower's shirt is a great example of symbolism. This man because of his shirt could be a portrayal of the entire U.S. population, symbolizing that as a nation we are fed up with the unjustified police action against African Americans. To further this symbolism the man is masked and not given a concrete identity, thus symbolizing that this man could be anyone of us and the fact that he is wearing regular clothes show that any of us average people could be doing what he is. Symbols strengthen an image by helping provoke a connection with the audience.

The placement of the object in and image can make or break the whole image, this is why position is so important. In this image there is a bright ball of light coming from the can of tear gas. With this in the middle it is as if everything is emitting from this light: like the column of smoke pouring out from it; or the man's arm jutting from the side of it; or even the prosester jumping out of the top. This canister being the main, visible source of light in the foreground centralizes the image and gives it better balance than if were to the side. If the position of objects in in an image is not strong enough then the image is doomed from the start.

Separately theses individual elements are strong, but when up together they create a powerful piece of art. One example is that the light of the canister illuminates and brings attention to the stance of the protester throwing it. Another example is the protestor in the background showing support helps further the idea that the protestor in the American flag shirt symbolizes the American population. The stagnant, dark background helping the viewer focus on the bright light and movement in the foreground is also an example of elements complimenting each other. Having any of these element by themselves would not have made this image as powerful as it is, this images strength comes from when these elements complement one another.

Many people say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but few every try to figure out why. The thousand words come from the feeling the viewer gets from the many elements in an image. The elements working together give the image strength and in Robert Cohen's photograph of protesters in St. Louis, many elements came and worked together to make it become one of the most powerful pictures of 2014.

