One of the most powerful and recognized photos from the many Black Lives Matter protests is circling throughout the media, getting widespread attention and praise. The photo is of a black woman standing completely still as 2 cops rush at her. Even though we, as the viewers, do not know the background information to go along with this photo by just looking at it, you can still see very clearly by looking at it how powerful it is to many people, no matter what side of the situation they are on. Through details of proximity, contrast, and symbolism, the photographer depicts a clear message of bravery in the protester, and that if you believe in something or stand for something wholeheartedly, you should never back down from that belief no matter what.

The photographer used many tactics of proximity in this photo to make it as powerful as it is and to truly get the message across. You see right away when you look at the photo how completely still the black woman is and the look on her face, as if she is not going to move no matter what is said to her or what is done to her. The proximity piece comes in when you see the cops rushing, what appears to be, full-speed at her. The photo was taken right as the cops approached her, almost inches away, which makes us as the viewers wonder what is going to happen next. Proximity also comes into play as you look deeper into the image and see the rows and rows of more cops behind the 2 cops advancing on the woman. That gives a very intimidating feel to the picture and makes me as a viewer wonder if the photographer included the cops in the background to evoke a sense of fear from anyone who is viewing the image. It also shows just how truly brave the woman is for standing up against an entire “army” of cops, just because she is that passionate in what she believes in, and refuses to let anyone get in her way of that.

Along with the widespread use of proximity throughout the image, the photographer also used a great deal of contrast in photographing this image. The dark colors in the cop uniforms and the woman’s outfit, along with the cops’ dark face masks and protective gear gives a sense of fear and intimidation and makes the picture a lot more powerful, had the woman or the cops been wearing bright colors. However, the bright green from the tree and the grass in the background is what brings out the woman and the cops and makes it stand out so much. These contrast of colors are what make the picture have the powerful meaning that it does.

Lastly, along with the proximity and contrast that the photographer brought together in this image, he also used symbolism. All of the cops are holding massive weapons in their hands which represent how they are ready to take action in any event that may happen. They also have a wide variety of protective gear on to represent a sense of invincibility. Another symbol recognizable in this image are the handcuffs that you can barely see on the woman’s wrists. This represents a sense of entrapment, which was obviously the consequence for her and whatever she may have done that was wrong. Lastly, the look on her face symbolizes that no matter what is said or done to her, she will continue to take a stand and fight for what she believes in, no matter what any higher authority does to impede her.

These 3 tactics used in the photographer’s image: proximity, contrast, and symbolism truly bring together the picture and make it what it is. Without these important details, we as the viewers would not have gotten the message that we did from this image, which is to never give up for what you believe in no matter what tries to stop you.