Survivors of Buchenwald Concentration Camp Visual Analysis
World War II ended and several photographs of the Nazi death camps were released and distributed worldwide. These photographs depicted the carnage committed during the Holocaust and instilled a deep hatred towards the Nazis. Some of these images served to justify American intervention in
World War II.
The power of image is often ignored and goes unnoticed. They possess a certain ability to aggravate extreme changes in emotions and thinking that only visual media can do over standard text. The shades of black and gray paint a dreary unpleasant experience for the viewer. If this picture would have been printed in color it would not have had the emotional magnitude that it draws from being a black and white photograph because the darkness of the image could not be portrayed in a color photograph. Having a basic background of the World War II Holocaust this picture really played on my emotions. The photographer's visual representation opens a big picture to anyone viewing the picture even if they have no knowledge of World War II or the Holocaust. He or she can be told all the violence committed during the World War II they may be able to sympathize, it isn’t until that individual is shown an image that he or she begins to fully understand the reality of the situation.
I cannot help but imagine the public’s emotions after this picture was released and can only imagine the sheer outrage among the general public when photographs like this one which was taken on April 16th 1945 after liberation from the Allies hit the mainstream media shortly after the war ended. (too long. Don't write in 1st tense -i, etc.)This image effectively portrays just how dark and dismal the living conditions were for the Holocaust victims. The first thing that may catch the audience’s attention is the man standing to the right. He is completely unclothed, which must have been terrible considering this photo...