Task: Reading a Photograph

The repeated message within the text is that we, the viewer, can either choose a passive response to the photo, or a critical analysis. Instead of taking this passive approach of just looking, we are encouraged by the author to dissect the details of the image, to explore it. For example, we can interpret the context of a photo simply by the composition and positioning, the photographer's perspective and approach towards the subject, and the subject itself, the context within the image and it's surroundings, the details. From here we can delve in to the scene itself, as opposed to only looking. This is what is meant by reading the photo, by picking it apart, questioning and speculating it, therefore allowing us to discover themes within the image that would've otherwise gone unnoticed. These connotations are easily noticeable through the truthfulness of the photo, and the lack of evidence as to how the image was made. We are seeing a reflection of the photographer's experience, and the text describes that it is possible to describe the atmosphere in the photo's situation, as the camera acts as a “witness to events”.

The boy’s vacant and hurt stare is aimed not at the camera, but the photographer, as if we ourselves are experiencing this scene through the eyes of Arbus. Along with the boy’s glare, his head is awkwardly tilted, as if questioning his surroundings, or the photographer herself. The image also captures the boy’s quivering and clamped mouth. But is the boy as unstable as the photo may imply? What we see as a tense and tortured look about the boy is in fact his expression of impatience towards Arbus, since this is one photo of many depicting him as an otherwise happy child, we witness his vacant joyfulness as the boy becomes agitated by Diane Arbus’ intent on finding “the right angle”. It is only through this one moment we see an expression of his anger and upset, but without the knowledge of other photos we conclude that the boy is somewhat mentally instable, fragile, and as a freakish outcast. The context has been changed and the truth warped, but what we now see is a portrayal of the child in an unnatural and provoked state that classes the photo as something composed and planned by Arbus herself.

But without this knowledge of other photos, we see the opposite of his true personality. His presence in the shade of a tree appears to represent his lack of involvement in the rest of society, as passers by meander in the sunlight the boy is abandoned and lost. This sense of helplessness is also confirmed by the fact that the young boy is pictured alone, indicating he is considered an outcast based on his mental condition. His clothes add to his image of a broken child, one strap of his dungaree shorts dangling over his right arm, as the left hand clenches a hand grenade – a symbol of the child’s mental fragility and instability. His right hand is crippling tense, almost disfigured, with another grenade seemingly absent, but reaching forwards for help.

This photo contributes to Arbus’ collection of Americans on the edge of society, whether their state is provoked or not.