After citizens of the United States saw more of the gruesome visuals from the Vietnam war, they began to change the way they viewed violence. In 1967 Marc Riboud took a photo of Jan Rose Kasmir holding a sunflower in front of armed soldiers at an Anti-Vietnam protest. This image does not only represent peace and innocence but it also helps unify America. Riboud purposely leaves the image black and white to leave the focus on the subject. He also uses a close-up shot to make the image more intimate. On the surface the image seems to represent peace but it really represents unity and amity of not just the protestors but America as a whole.

Kasmir is looking directly into the eyes of the soldier and the soldiers are not looking back at her, they are looking off into the crowd. She is standing on her own as no one else is shown in line with her while she faces an army (Riboud). She represents great courage alone and she is virtually more in control that the soldiers in front of her. It is almost as if the soldiers are afraid to look at her because it would force them to feel the emotions she is portraying.  She is standing there with such confidence to be so close to danger and destruction almost as if she knows her cause is far more important than she is. The flower is in front of her like peace and unity is before her.  As if she would do anything to show its importance. She is also tilting her head and extending her neck out towards the flower; the flower forms a barrier between them. If her eyes were facing us as viewers, the intimate connection with the soldiers would be lost. The line between her eyes, the flower, and the eyes of the soldiers would not exist and the image would not have the same affect. The soldiers must look at the flower to look at her and they are forced to look her in the eyes because her gaze is so set on theirs. Although some might not be looking at her they are pointing their bayonets at her hands which are clutched and held close over her heart. Her hands are folded carefully caressing the flower, holding it up towards the sky as if she was praying (Riboud). She is at an anti-war protest protecting herself with a flower, she will not be harmed as long as she remains peaceful. She is in control in this image just as the population is in control of the United States and the decisions made about our country.

The image is shot in black and white to place sole focus on the image itself. The hues and colors are irrelevant and the image is allowed to stand on its own. The contrast of black and white make a greater contrast of the softer versus the harder subjects it the image. Kasmir is a lighter shade while the soldiers are very dark black. She is light and innocent while the soldiers are dark and cruel. She wants peace and they are fighting for control. The background of the image is blurred into a soft gray placing more emphasis of the girl and the flower. The contrast in shades of the background and the flower makes is stand out as it is also the very center of the photo. Combined with the way she is holding it, the flower is a symbol like the white flag of surrender and a request for peace(Riboud).  The soft shadows of the black and white on her face add to her innocence as she is only 17, she represents harmony not only in this image but everywhere in America.

Because Riboud chose to use a close up shot instead of a long shot he adds a more intimate take to the image. We are allowed to connect with the subject and focus on the story she is telling.  This makes the image so much more emotional and intense. It gives us as viewers a chance to be a part of image and a part of the emotions. It also allows us to feel for ourselves as if we are there experiencing this moment along with her. The main focus is her and we can’t see much of the soldier standing in front of her. Our first glance at the image goes straight to her and the flower. Our sight is held on Kasmir, the subject, and we base everything else we look at off of her. When we look at the soldiers our gaze either comes from or goes towards the girl because she is the most important part of the picture. We concentrate most of our attention on her story and her purpose for being in the image. The symbol of peace and the anti-war protest is centered around her; she is the figurative figure head.

The message conveyed by this image of a want for peace and a stop for violence and destruction is portrayed classically through the design. Riboud wanted us to focus on Kasmir and to see what she sees. He wants us to forget about color choice and to pay attention to the story the photo is telling. He uses one subject to portray United States citizens as a whole. He unifies us together through one image and one girl. A simple image on the surface seemingly only representing a girl with a flower trying to stop war but she means so much more. She changed the way people felt about war and helped promote peace through her own sacrifice. This image represents the peace and surrender of American people during a trying time of war.
