One Photo Truly Worth a Thousand Words

Today's post features a guest writer, Stephanie, who will examine a truly incredible photo used on the cover the most recent Special Report of TIME Magazine. Feel free to check out her blog for more interesting posts. Also, I will be guest-blogging on another great blog called "The Numbers Don't Lie", so feel free to check that out as well!

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Photos and paintings have the power to move us in different ways. They may stir anger, sadness, joy, and even a combination of different emotions. Oftentimes a photographer takes a photo to make a statement or capture an intriguing moment. It is no wonder that people frequently say "A picture is worth a thousand words."

In light of the Boston Marathon explosion, Time Magazine released a special tablet issue. The cover photo shows a close image of a frightened toddler, with blood smeared into his disheveled red hair, being carried by a police officer. It is headlined "Tragedy in Boston." Unlike several other images I have seen after the explosion, this one does not show any open wounds and is not explicitly graphic. Nevertheless, the photo is still emotional. The response to this cover, however, has been mixed. Many have responded that the photo is heartbreaking and moving, while others believe the media has gone too far. 

But it is precisely these types of photos and the reactions they generate that draw public attention. Instead of using a photo of a man/woman on a stretcher or of the explosion itself, Time specifically chose to place a little boy on their cover. His expression clearly depicts terror—a sign that perhaps he will be forever scarred with the moment he just lived through. Some Twitter users stated that the image gives “the bad guys” exactly what they wanted—proof that the explosions could affect not only the people at the marathon, as well as the youngest and most innocent; but also cause the entire nation to stir. 

The appearance and details of a photo tell a story. As I look at the photo, I associate the boy’s messy hair with chaos; the blood on his head with an act of terror or violence; and the police officer with help. I do not need to read a page of text to understand that this event will be historic. The image, in many ways, is a shortcut. 

We live in an increasingly fast-paced society. Personally, I do not have time to stop and read every single current event. However, I do have time to skim through news photos and their captions. A photo will often tell me the gist of the story or and important aspect. By seeing it, I also know whether I want to take more time reading about the situation. Perhaps the simplicity of viewing an image as well as the power that an image can possess is why many social networking pages, apps, etc. have become media oriented (for example, Instagram, Pintrest, and SnapChat). In any case, Time Magazine succeeded in finding a photo that represents the Boston explosions, as well as drawing attention to their digital cover.