Connor Thouret

Understanding Media

Professor Myriam Rafla

Oct 25, 2013

Assignment II: Newsworthy Image

Part I: The Article

Surely the above image has stirred up a minor amount of controversy due to

the fact it is seemingly not a picture of any particular event. However, believe me

when I say that it is news worthy, as it could affect you in the future. A

The man who took this picture was affected by the event the article

discusses. He knows people who had to run their way through the crossfires of such

a senseless crime. They watched as everyday people were murdered in front of their

very eyes. But this is not about them; this is about how the violence affects the man.

He sits still reading about the event, and he decides that he is through with it.

He decides to take action to prevent such from happening again. But what can he do

to stop it? He can join the police force, he can preach against violence, he can remain

calm and counsel those affected, he can remain positive and spread the message.

The picture is of his point of view, the moment it occurs, when he realizes that he

will change the world for the better, and protect his loved ones the best he can.

But this is but one photo. How many men and women will look at their

computers and/or newspapers and grow finally tired of how plagued by violence

the public is, not only in our country, but also in others. It may not be the same

article, but decisions such as the man’s are made on a daily basis. Can you do the

same? Can you save the world? Of course you can; but will you?

Part II: Summary

The image was chosen because it depicts any standard person; the image can be of

anyone’s laptop, in anyone’s house, in any country. The context is that it is evident

that someone is sitting somewhere reading the article, and the viewer is put into his

or her shoes. Evidently, the quality of the image is not the best, that also helps to

make the image more suited to anyone, as if the image were high quality, and using

professional cameras, and then it might throw off the viewer, thinking that the

perspective is that of a photographer, or someone with access to good quality

camera gear.

The image consists of a laptop, and the article that is shown on it, reading

“Police call deaths a double-murder suicide”. Noticeably, the framing is not, head on-

direct, and face-to-face to the laptop; it is crooked. This is intentional, as it shows

that something is clearly wrong with the image. Much like the framing in when

showing the Bates Motel in Psycho, or any haunted house. The lighting adds to the

dark, melancholy tone of the image, to show that something very unsettling is near.

This photo seemed to most accentuate all that I was trying to get out of the image.

This can be anyone, anywhere, reading the same article, and choosing to do

something about it. The framing and lighting both get across what was intended.

The person looking down at the story could take a better picture, if he or she

chooses to- much like the choice to change the future for the better.