The National Football League is very popular in the United States.  There are many reasons why the NFL has such a large fan base, such as huge collisions, and exciting, athletic plays that are made on a weekly basis.   With the players being aware of this, they realize they have many people that look up to them and understand the impact they can have on people’s lives and views. This sometimes leads some players to take a stand for what they believe.  Pictured here is Colin Kaepernick, number seven, kneeling during the National Anthem before a San Francisco 49ers pre-season game this past summer.  He did so to take a stand on social equality of blacks and whites, and how he does not feel the African-American population is being treated fairly.  We are able to see how certain elements of a photograph like color, hierarchy, angle, and focal point allow us to dig deeper into this image.  These elements of photography add meaning to the picture that is not clear at first.  By exploring the elements of photography we can find out things we would not have understood, or even noticed. 

Social equality is a problem that is still relevant in society.  Most would think that with the segregation laws ending in the 60s, blacks and the whites would be at a place where everyone is thought of, and feels they are treated equally and have equal opportunities.  However, we still are faced with issues regarding and pertaining to race. The truth is that social equality is still a very prevalent topic and some feel that changes need to be made on how certain social issues are handled when skin color comes into play.  

Colin Kaepernick is making a stand on the recent racial issues going on around the world, and his way of doing so is by taking a knee during the National Anthem.  He believes that with him being a starting NFL quarterback that this is the best way for him to be heard and make people aware of the social injustice that has been occurring in America lately.  As you can imagine this stand was not taken well because kneeling during the national anthem is seen as a sign of disrespect. Colin Kaepernick, when asked, said “Once again, I’m not anti-American. I love America. I love people. That’s why I’m doing this. I want to help make America better. I think having these conversations helps everybody have a better understanding of where everybody is coming from.” (Kaepernick) This shows that he believes that his motives for doing this are just misunderstood, and he is doing this to help make America a better place to live for all people.     People were very critical of the fact that he would kneel to the flag that gives him all of the freedoms and rights that he currently has, including his fellow colleague and Saints starting quarterback Drew Brees.  When asked about the issue Brees was disgusted and “wholeheartedly” (Brees) disagreed with what Kaepernick was doing.  He said, "Like, it's an oxymoron that you're sitting down, disrespecting that flag that has given you the freedom to speak out." (Brees) This is a great point made by Brees that many other people began to wonder about.  In a way it is hypocritical that Kaepernick would kneel to the flag that allows him to speak out against social issues, because in many other countries this would not be tolerated.  This form of protest is one that has not been seen before, and is seen as disrespectful and not right to most, even though it seems Kaepernick is just misunderstood.  

From the angle of this photo it is not easy to see Kaepernick kneeling right away.  One thing we notice is that the players are all looking different places, some with their eyes on the flag, some just looking around, and some just looking down thinking to themselves.  This leaves us to wonder what the players are thinking. Although this is Kaepernick’s personal stance on an issue that is close to his heart, his actions represent not only him but also his team. In this instance it is unknown if his teammates support him and his decision to kneel during the anthem.  It is important to realize that like Kaepernick, all these people are thinking certain things for one reason or another.  Something we have to wonder is what would it look like to be on the other side of everyone, looking at their faces.  We can only guess the facial expressions being made by the players, but the man taking the picture, in the picture, leaves us wondering what we could tell if we were able to see the players faces.  Would we see them making any gestures towards Kaepernick?  Any signs of disgust or approval directed towards Kaepernick?  We are only left to wonder, and this cameraman leaves us to question what we would be seeing from his point of view.  He has us wondering what the facial expressions of the players could be, and how it could change the meaning of the picture.  The camera also plays an important role in the picture because we see that he is taking a picture of the situation himself.  The camera immediately causes us to look at where the it is pointing, which leads to Kaepernick.  It is as if there is an imaginary line that your eyes follow from the camera mans’ camera lens to Kaepernick.  This further helps to show that Kaepernick is the focal point of the image.

The angle at which this picture it taken, from behind and above, portrays the element of hierarchy.  We are looking down on everyone including the flag, it makes us feel that we are looking down at what is going on.  This can also show the emotion of the audience.   Many of them looking down on this controversy in disgust and being left with nothing else to do but hang their heads out of shame and disgust.   This also shows how everyone else is standing up looking up at the flag, or keeping to themselves, everyone except one person, Colin Kaepernick.  The direction that this picture is taken from adds meaning because rather than seeing all the players faces we just see the name on their back.  This is important because it shows us exactly who everyone is.  We are able to right away find that number 7 jersey and see how he is the one kneeling down taking a stand.  The direction this is taken from also allows us to see the flag on field, which makes it even more meaningful that someone is kneeling down, since we are now able to tell that he is doing so during the National Anthem.  This picture is taken from the view of a fan in the lower level of the stadium behind the bench.  This allows us to connect with the image even more, we are able to feel like we are actually sitting where the picture is being taken.  Being able to connect to the image makes it that much more powerful and meaningful, you are able to feel as if you are actually in that seat seeing what the picture is showing in person.  The angle a picture is taken at can have a big influence on how the picture is interpreted. 

The colors of red and white dominate the picture.  If you look closely in the top left you can also see a small blue part of what appears to be a flag.  The colors of red and white and some blue, clearly portray patriotism and the United States.  Also, there are many men and women in white Naval uniforms holding the flags portraying even more patriotism.  The color depicts the United States throughout the picture.  After seeing all the patriotism in one picture, when you see a man kneeling on the ground during the national anthem you begin to question that man’s reasons for doing so.  Most people would not be fond of an athlete kneeling during a national anthem of a televised sporting event.  This is not something that is seen very much and used as a form of protest, being that almost everyone stands for the national anthem, the color of red, white, and blue symbolize the United States and it is shown that everyone but one person is proud that these colors represent their country.  This shows that everyone on the field is showing respect for the flag by standing, except Kaepernick.  However, this may not be completely true, there are players that could have the same exact views as Kaepernick, but decide to protest, and try to make a change in a different way.    Those 3 colors when alone don’t have much of a meaning, however when put together are the symbol of an entire country.  They are the colors that everyone looks to when showing thanks and appreciation to this country.  They mean so much and they make this such a powerful image because you know that he is kneeling in front of the flag during the national anthem.  

A simple motion can mean so much. All Colin Kaepernick is doing is taking a knee, however, he is doing so during a time where it is only seen as respectful to stand.  This image, even though it looks like a normal picture, carries huge meaning.  One motion of one man can start a controversy through a simple action like kneeling.  We are able to capture these important moments through photography, and the way the pictures are taken help give us our own meaning and purpose for a picture.  By looking at certain elements of photography that are present in this picture such as angle, color and focal point we are able to develop a much greater meaning and be able to relate it to the real world, and our own lives.   A simple action like this can be the start of change, change towards the social justice that Kaepernick believes not everyone is receiving, yet deserves.  He feels as if it is his job as an American citizen to upheld the standards the country is supposed to follow, which is to treat all races and ethnicities the same no matter what.  Kaepernick is fully aware of his status, and that is of a popular, very well-known NFL starter quarterback, whom is looked to by a lot of people.  He was able to take advantage of his social status because he knew an action like this would be heard and talked about all throughout the country.   This seems to be a simple picture, yet it is far from that, this picture carries heavy meaning and will get people to ask themselves about the social justice in America today, and wonder if the United States is treating all citizens the way the constitution says, equally. 
