
The famous photo “V-J Day in Time Square”, shot by Alfred Eisenstaedt, depicts a sailor that served in World War II and a nurse that are kissing in the middle of Time Square in New York City. This photo was published a week later in Life magazine and has been well recognizable ever since. The photo was part of a twelve-page spread in the magazine, the title of the spread being “Victory celebrations”. An interesting fact about this photo is that neither the sailor nor the nurse is named and to this day still unknown.

Part of what makes this photograph so famous and well received is the happiness it exudes. The war that had claimed the lives of so many and caused so much sadness was finally over and it was time to rejoice. Not only the two kissing but the others shown in the background reflect the happiness of the event. This photograph made people proud of what they had accomplished and reminded them that life after the war would not be so bad and that there was still goodness in the world. Eisenstaedt uses a few different techniques to get across the points of happiness and rejoice that he has chosen as his theme for the photo, such as a long shot, peripheral gaze, and contrasting colors. (Tweaked thesis statement)

The photo being a long shot establishes the setting and background of the image. Long shots are used to reinforce the location of the image and also provide a backdrop for the main idea of the shot. This wide shot allows the viewer to see the main focus, the two people kissing, but also the people in the background that are smiling and enjoying themselves. These people’s emotions and actions add to the overall theme of the shot. provides the viewer with a base of knowledge of the surroundings and the context of the action. Everyone pictured in the photo seems to be looking at the two kissing in the center, making them the main idea, and also representing the theme of the photograph as a whole. Their happiness is reflected in the people around them smiling and having a good time. Also shown in the background is the nineteen-forties era Time Square with its tall buildings and advertisements. The photographer chose to take this image in a wide shot in order to have the entire background be present, enhancing the viewers experience of the work and adding another dimension to the shot as a whole. (Reorganized and cleaned up) 

At first glance, the two seem to be sharing a reciprocal gaze. Reciprocal gaze is often associated with love or affection which is why the reciprocal glance is assumed with these two. However, upon further review, both of their eyes are closed, indicating there is no gaze between them. This is not surprising because these two people had never met before and the sailor spontaneously kissed the nurse. It appears that the photographer wants the viewer to believe that these two are in love, because, without any external information, that is what is assumed. This is an interesting complex that the photographer has chosen to use. He has, in effect, created a type of gaze that is not actually in use. This assumption through the photographer’s new complex furthers the theme of happiness and love in the time following World War II, even though these two may not technically be in love.

The camera has its own gaze. In this instance, the gaze the camera takes on is a peripheral gaze. The peripheral gaze is used to have the full subject in the field of vision. It is similar to the long shot in the respect that it encompasses the background of the subjects as well as the subjects themselves. This gaze is the least intense of all which translate to the theme being less serious. Had this photo been taken more closely it would have been to intense and lost the fun loving feeling of the kiss. 

The clearest of the visual elements used to distinguish this photograph is the contrasting colors between the sailor and the nurse. The nurses outfit is a very bright white from her dress down to her long white socks and white shoes. The sailor’s uniform is very dark, with the only bright item being his hat. This contrast in the two people brings more attention to the fact that these two are kissing and are the main idea of the image. Contrasting colors naturally draw the eye to them, making the viewer automatically focus on these two rejoicing in a kiss. Whether or not this contrast was intentional by the photographer, it also symbolizes the bad of the war, the dark, and the happiness that it is over, the white, coming together as one. 

Eisenstaedt use a long shot, peripheral gaze, and contrasting colors aid in getting across the points of happiness and rejoice that he has chosen as his theme of the photo. His use of a long shot allows the viewer to not only see the focus but also the people and landscape in the background, which give the photo context. The peripheral gaze, like the long shot, offers context and background but also its lack of severity lightens the overall mood of the image.  Eisenstaedt’s complex reciprocal-gaze-that-isn’t creates an interesting dynamic between the two subjects, one of love, but remembering they are total strangers. Finally, the contrast of the sailors dark uniform and the nurse’s white gown draws attention to them but also acts as a metaphor for the dark and the light of World War II. All of these elements come together to form a theme of post war happiness and hope for the future. (Didn’t have a true conclusion)