Certain visual texts convey ideas that transcend time, race, religion and class. They inspire generations of people and express things that words never could. Capturing an image at the ideal time with the ideal context with the ideal people in said image, does more than any written text ever could. While written texts often struggle to quickly and powerfully evoke a reaction from the reader, visual texts immediately convey powerful emotions and thoughts from the viewer. The photo of a Russian soldier before the Battle of Kursk uses juxtaposition, symbolism and cropping in order to show the effects of war on individuals and society as a whole. 

The use of juxtaposition is obvious in this photo. There is a clear contrast between the soldier in the foreground and the blurred soldier in the background. This is used in order highlight the differences between the two soldiers. The soldier in the front is nervous and worried. His facial expression is solemn and intense. Due to the cross in his hand, it appears as if the soldier is praying, perhaps asking God to make his death swift and easy. His eyes are locked on nothing and his expression is solemn. Conversely, the soldier in the background seems to be looking at a target or a goal. He is determined, not afraid. This soldier doesn't seem to mind the fact that these moments could be his last. He is not focusing on the possibility of death, but rather the possibility of life. Juxtaposition, in this picture, perfectly details how how war, and other stressful situations in life, affect different individuals differently. In this picture an obvious correspondence to our natural reactions of fight or flight, is displayed. The soldier in the foreground would rather flight then fight his enemy, while the solider in the background feels the opposite way. 

The symbolism of the cross is one of the main focuses of the image. The Christian cross represents different things to different people. If the viewer is religious, and assumes the subject is religious, the image automatically becomes relatable as they may remember a time in their life when they had nothing to lean on but their faith. The cross also conveys certain emotions to these viewers. Feelings of hope and optimism emerge, which allows the viewer to feel more involved in the image. If the viewer is not religious, the cross gives insight into importance of faith to the subject. It gives the viewer a glimpse into what's truly important in the subject's life. In what may be his last moment alive, the subject prays. This emphasizes how impactful religion has been in the subject's life. The cross symbolizes feelings of hope and optimism in a situation surrounded by despair and hopelessness. 

The cropping of the photo is used effectively in order to draw attention to the soldier in the foreground. Cropping the image this way allows for a more personal experience for the viewer. Solely focusing on one person immediately allows for the reader to view the subject more as a human being than just a person in a picture. Facial expressions and minute details are brought into the spotlight by cropping. Only allowing the viewer to see the image in this way gives the photographer a more power over what the viewer thinks. If this were a wide shot of many soldiers, the photographer couldn't control what the viewer is seeing, and certain aspects would be lost. The details of the soldiers face as well as his emotions wouldn't have as accurately been captured therefore diminishing the raw emotional connection between viewer and subject. 

This image is extremely powerful and moving. It shows viewers what real fear is. More likely than not, it shows a man's last moments before death. It forces the viewer to imagine themselves in that situation and how that could feel. This image forces us to think about what it could be like realize death is upon us. It forces us to visit a reality we don't want to visit. It forces us to uncomfortable place. It forces us inside the soul of a man who will soon perish for a cause greater than himself. 

