Just like paintings and literary pieces, photographs are an important form of creative work. The invention of photography completely changed the face of art because it does something that these other forms cannot; it freezes an actual piece of time forever. They are not just imitations of what is going on, like paintings. They show what is actually going on. Although photographs do not allow for as much interpretation as a painting or sculpture, photographs allow creativity to be shown through real life objects, places, and scenarios. They convey emotions through anything; lighting, facial expressions, landscape. As notably said, a picture is worth a thousand words.  V-J Day In Times Square, shot by Alfred Eisenstaedt, is worth more than just a thousand. It is one of the most iconic photographs of World War II, if not alone in American History.  Not only is this photograph important to Eisenstaedt, but to America and the rest of the world. It is a crucial historical piece for us and others in the future that truly conveys the emotions of pure joy felt by citizens and all of the violence halted. For one shining moment, all the pain that had occurred over the past four years dissipated. V-J Day in Times Square uses setting, action, and monochrome to express not just the relief and happiness expressed during the announcement of World War II’s ending, but it is as well the representation of no particular individual following the end of any war.

The setting of this iconic photograph is the renowned Times Square, New York City. On August 14th, 1945, also known as Victory Over Japan Day, Japan surrendered to the United States of America, thus commencing the end of World War II. For the American people, this announcement brought a wave of emotions: excitement, relief, joy. This chaotic six-year world war, which had only involved the Unites States for four years after the bombing of an American Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, resulted in casualties adding up to 3% of the world’s population and the destruction of many European countries. Hundreds of thousands of American men were sent out to fight for their country, leaving family, friends, and work behind. The American way of life was turned completely upside down. In turn, with World War II’s ending, and the return of the men back home, came celebration.

This black and white photograph depicts U.S. Navy Sailor and nurse locked in a spur-of-the-moment kiss. The evident contrast between the sailor, dressed in a dark uniform, and the nurse, dressed all in white, brings all of the attention to them. This kiss was taken during the frenzied celebrations of the wars ending. The two figures are too swept up in the moment they are in too realize all that is truly going on around them. Crowds of people surround them, celebrating as well. Some individuals behind the lip-locked strangers stand by and chuckle at the scene laid out before them. Everyone captured in this photograph is genuinely enthralled in the excitement buzzing throughout the air.

Photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt had been walking around Times Square moments before the official announcement by President Truman disclosing Japan’s defeat. Times Square, at that time, was buzzing with noise and excitement after receiving the news. Eisenstaedt was following the action, understanding that this was an important day in the history of the United States. As he tried to capture the celebration occurring with this news, a sailor sprinted towards him in a mad dash. Jubilated, the sailor grabbed countless women around him and kissed them as Eisenstaedt followed behind with his camera. In Alfred Eisenstaedt’s book, The Eye of Eisenstaedt, he stated the following: “I was walking through the crowds on V-J Day, looking for pictures. I noticed a sailor coming my way. He was grabbing every female he could find and kissing them all — young girls and old ladies alike. Then I noticed the nurse, standing in that enormous crowd. I focused on her, and just as I'd hoped, the sailor came along, grabbed the nurse, and bent down to kiss her.” (Eisenstaedt 13). Because this photo was taken in the spur of the moment during a chaotic celebration, the photographer did not get the chance to record the names of the two figures, thus leaving them anonymous for years. 

This photograph was later featured on its own single page in a 12-page spread entitled “Victory Celebrations”, an article in LIFE Magazine displaying the national reaction of the United States victory. It became extremely popular from its first feature, and since then, has remained a cultural icon. 

Its popularity is something that is still recognized to this day. Why this photograph? Why these two people? If the two subjects had been in different positions, or the photograph was taken at another angle, the image would not be the same. One of the main reasons why this photograph is still popular to this day is because the viewer can almost feel the emotion while looking at it. You can feel the vibe of excitement as portrayed by the photo, not only from the couple, but the passerby’s. The couple, especially the sailor, is thrilled about the newly announced end. Enthralled in the excitement, he swept this stranger into his arms and planted a kiss on her lips. The nurse, notably shocked by this intimacy, is not just surprised by the action of the sailor, but of Japan for surrendering. She probably woke up with no idea that that day would be the day the war would be over. The passerby’s as well wear expressions of shock and excitement on their faces. This news came as a surprise to all citizens, and meant not only that American men would return home to their friends and family, but that life could turn back to normal again. There is no need to worry. This ability to take such a busy place like Times Square and, halt the sense of motion while still keeping its presence, adds to its allure and popularity. The photographer seems to capture this style of frozen time yet action with ease.

Even the absence of color plays a significant role. It’s an end of a war era. The black and white can almost represent the new peace brought into the once dark time. Notice, as well, how the sailor, wearing dark colors, is kissing the nurse, who is dressed in white garments. The dark is now welcoming the light, with arms.  As stated by Eisenstaedt: “Now if this girl hadn't been a nurse, if she'd been dressed dark clothes, I wouldn't have had a picture. The contrast between her white dress and the sailor's dark uniform gives the photograph its extra impact.” (Eisenstaedt 23). Impact is right. Time seems to have frozen around the couple. This picture seems to freeze time in such a bustling and buzzing place like Times Square, where the city never sleeps. The crowds keep on cheering and the city is still lively, yet at that moment, in that image, time is standing still. The only thing important in that moment is that kiss, that special bonding of emotions between strangers. 

It is important to have photographs like this in our possession today so we can truly understand what that time of war was like. Many spectators of this piece have not lived in a time like theirs. World War II had taken over the lives of every single American for four years. many, the future of our world was unknown. Fear was taking over many. Us as viewers can feel that sense of relief that all the witnesses were going through after the end of the war was announced. A dark time was now over, and peace was returning again. This photojournalist helped show the true elation buzzing through Times Square at that moment. It helps allow us to feel as if we were there in that moment of time, which is the job of an artist. Although this can be said about many photographs, Eisenstaedt’s photograph is different.  The models are not staged. It is not an attempt to portray a scene or time frame. It is real people during a real, historic, and life-changing moment for the United States as a country. It is a photograph that portrays the real and raw sensation of an entire country with just the action two strangers. It was not planned or schemed, It just happened. With the help from artwork like this, we can begin to understand what is was like to live in a time like that.

It is hard to believe that V-J Day in Times Square, one of the most romantic and compelling photographs to date, was just stumbled upon by Eisenstaedt at random. This photograph has changed the history of photography forever. A viewer can imagine themselves being involved in the action, feel the energy buzzing around them, and relive the same sense of liberation as the participants in the image had. Maybe it is the passion, the intensity, the history, or just the story behind the photo, but this work remains to be one of the most recognized photos nationally. holds upmost importance to this day in explaining America’s part in World War II. 
