 In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation eradicating slavery, yet to this day more than 600,000-800,000 are trafficked and enslaved to the sex trade each year. A blind eye has been turned toward the slavery at hand and without real life photos depicting what the life of a sex slave is like, society can’t fully grasp the horrific situation. A close analysis of two pictures representing life as a sex slave, provoke the feelings of heartache and disparity for the woman who have fell victim to the sex trade. By comparing the two images based on the type of shot at which the picture was taken, the color within the picture, and the central focus of the image, it causes the emotions triggered in the reader. 

Depicted in the first picture is a woman lying on a bed being caressed by two men and picture two shows a pile of trash complete with receipts, mud, and the several obviously used condoms. The type of shot in the first image of the woman is taken from a bird’s eye view and a medium shot stance. When a photo is taken from a bird’s eye view, it creates a sense of vulnerability with the subject of the photo. This can be interpreted of the sense of vulnerability felt by the woman in the photo. She looks as though she has no say in what the men are doing to her which feels her leaving helpless. The medium shot at which the picture was taken allows the viewer to see some what of the emotions on the faces but also allows for some of the background to be seen. The environment in which the woman is laying in is important because the bed has roses all along the sheets however roses symbolize romance and relationships, but it is clear by the emotions written across her face that nothing could be farther than romance with these men. Comparatively, the picture of the condoms in the street is a close up shot. This shot allows the viewer and the picture to come in close proximity with each other increasing the intensity in detail. The picture shows such a disregard for the trash in the street much how the woman in a brothel would be treated with disrespect. Many people this day in age do not think that sex trafficking is an issue that occurs which is why the blind eye has been turned. That is why the close up shot offers the interpretation that sex trafficking is closer or happens more than one might think. 

Color fills the photo in the first picture with the woman and men in bed. The most prominent color however is red. Red is a color that symbolizes love and passion even, which is why it is ironic that so much of this color would be put in a room where no love exists. However, these bright red roses may be purposely placed in the room to try and create that type of environment for the men who choose to visit the brothels. In the second picture, the lack of color in the picture can provides a whole new interpretation to a viewer. In the photo, the only colors really seen are gray in the mud, murky water, and the surroundings and some white in the receipts and condoms. The dull use in color suggests the dull life lived by a sex slave. Sleeping with up to fifty men a day takes a soul from a person giving them little to no personality. The life of a sex slave is filled with misery which is why having a photo without color can offer a parallel for that. A life with no color would be unbearable. Bright vibrant colors create a place that is full of happiness and joy however a dull color palette does the exact opposite. The dullness creates a place of sadness and depression. Any TV ad for depression medicine shows the person in a bed room that is dark and full of greys and blacks. The picture depicts that depressive state for the women who live this lifestyle inside of a brothel.  

When looking at picture number one, the first thing that drawls the attention of the viewer is the emotion across the face of the woman. She looks as though she has no life left in her. There is so much emotion coming from a person who looks as though she is dead inside. It’s at this moment when the viewers heart sympathizes with this poor girl and along with any woman trapped in this form of slavery. The thing that becomes apparent in photo two when first glancing at it would be the condoms lying amongst the garbage. The photographer did this on purpose to strike emotions with the viewer. One condom lying in the streets wouldn’t offer as much power to the photo as several condoms lying in the street like pictured in the photo. Woman trapped on the vicious life of sex slavery are nothing but a pay check to their pimps so having to sleep with multiple men a day is not uncommon. The multitude of condoms in the street show the multitude of men the visit the brothels daily. Analyzing the surroundings of the condoms, there’s grimy water along with dirt and sludge. If this surrounds the outside of a brothel in the streets where the public is, it is unfathomable to think about what the inside of the brothel possibly looks like.  For several women being subjected to an environment like that contributes to the anguish felt by the viewer of the photo. 

Sex slavery is a topic in society that is not very talked about or held to a high priority. Whenever photos expose the problem for what is really happening, calls for help cry out to people with desperation. Closely analyzing these two photos can provide a sense of information to those who are oblivious. The photographers purpose of the picture was to arouse emotion or even a response from the viewer. After seeing this photo and becoming informed, how could one not want to take action for such a heinous crime. 
