Because of the 15th Anniversary of 9/11 this year, I thought it would be appropriate to analyze the dramatic moments of the hours passing the tragedy. In this photograph, it’s blatantly obvious to visualize the horrific scene. This image was captured the next day. 

The central theme in the photograph was the impact of the terrorist attack and what resulted. A photograph like this one should not be taken lightly and vaguely analyzed. The importance and the strength of the impact derives from the elements that make up this picture.  By analyzing this captured moment in America’s history, we see the devastation and destruction through focal points, colors, and lines, which reminds Americans and those affected by the tragic day where the lives of loved ones were lost.

The space around the central message of the photograph radiates importance from the central focal point of the American flag outwardly. Buildings lay in heaps of destruction, which represents a grave stone for many. Tall pillars are the only remains of the destroyed tower that is in visible shape. It also goes on to show that the picturesque surroundings represent the unknown danger that was on the rise. The aftermath of problems that American’s were faced with stood taller than their ideas of what was to come in America’s history. The backbone of America was still present but just damaged. Truly, it was an overwhelming image of chaos bigger than American’s could handle at this point in history. It was not American citizen’s fault for being oblivious when this image was captured, nobody knew anything at this second in history, therefore, the problem was bigger than American’s could of handled. The rubbish of the building’s remains in the background constitutes for the fear, destruction, chaos, and mourning of the event. 

The lines in the picture are crucial to the main points, pointing to the weight of the moment. One key point about the lines is the fact that there is no one way in which the people are directing their eye contact. This could be a representation of how everyone was thrown into chaos where there was no central ground for direction. However, one thing that hit the core value of importance home was the stature of the American flag. It stood erect in the center of destruction and the surrounding people, representing that America can be shaken, but we will not be taken down without a fight. Directly after 9/11, or about when this photograph was captured, no one seemed to know who the fight was against, however, everyone was ready to begin the rebuilding of a temporarily destructed America. The central focus is of America and the symbol of strength and hope of the untethered flag. The flag is on top of the ruins, which furthers the argument that America will come out on top. 

The color of the image quality explains the tone of the tragedy as well. The smoke lining the aroma of the scene fades the clarity of the situation. When the buildings collapsed, no one seemed to know who caused it or what mishap occurred, therefore, the smokey and grey film covering the scene provides the idea that there is a disconnect between what actually happened verses the unknown (better known as the “grey area”). The blue, black, and yellow work helmets add to the mood. Blue is the color of sadness and coldness, while black can be the color of death, mourning, fear, depression, and power. Yellow is the color of sickliness and caution. The fear of the lack of power over America made threats to the hopes of American souls. Maybe the yellow helmets serve as a warning sign against future terror attacks on American soil.  Also, as far as color is concerned, the tone of the moments that appear in the image is devastation. What someone should feel from an occurrence like this is grief and sorrow. The portrayal of the collapse is brought together in this picture. Keiser captured a snapshot of the “feel” of the aftermath, both in the visual and the emotional aspects of the moment. 

The elements of this visual image can teach the impact of the devastation and destruction of 9/11. When digging deeper into the meaning of a single image, it is much more simple to discover the true message of the moment. When viewing a picture only once, we are cheating our knowledge of success because we do not analyze the hidden theme. Evaluating a picture is how we discover facts and covered secrets. It is how an argument can be made from a seemingly simplistic image. When first viewing Keiser’s captured piece, it’s easy to assume 9/11 terror attacks, sorrow, and fear and move on, however, if one were to sit down and analyze the details that make up this complex photograph, it is easy to realize that this photo is speaking and crying out to us. Pictures from 9/11 serve as a reminder of that horrific day and should not be taken lightly. The still picture is screaming more emotions that we can at one time as humans. It is a means of warning, and a reminder that freedom is not free, and a lack of security is America’s biggest threat right at that time. 
