Ivy and I were sourcing for photojournalistic pictures when she came across the above picture on the Aljazeera website. We both agreed that this image has the strongest impact at first glance. It has the power to retain our attention and keep us looking at it.

So, since it appeared at Aljazeera website, the target audience of this image has to be readers of the website. As a reader, how do you decode this image? Interestingly, Ivy and I view this picture from different perspectives. Our perspectives, though different, eventually lead to a similar conclusion. What does it say of the message that the image is trying to convey then? You decide.

At first glance (Target audiences' perception)
I did not have an in depth knowledge of the news related to this image when I first see it. However, what I interpreted from this image was that of a mourning scene. It conveys a feeling of sadness and grieve through the framing of this image. The colours are dull and gloomy; and the focus is on the photograph in the center -- the only 'complete' picture a viewer can see in this framing. The other photographs 'scattered' in this frame then slowly catch my attention. I concluded: a scene of a mass mourning taking place.

Ivy, on the other hand, has prior knowledge of the history behind the event captured in this image. She sees this image not only as a mass mourning that was taking place, but also noticed the change in the way this image differs from the rest of the images that have taken from this event over the years.

Despite the difference, what we go away from viewing this image is the same: of sadness and grieve of the people.

After giving the target audiences' point of view and interpretation, let us analyze how this image actually convey the 'feeling' that we get upon viewing the image.

Background of the image:
Image taken in: Argentina, San Martin square in Buenos Aires on Oct 5, 2007.

About:

• Guerrilla subversion a.k.a “Dirty War”
• A demonstration to call for amnesty for ex-military members accused of human rights crimes
• During the 1976-1983 dictatorship, many Argentinians 'disappeared' and their bodies were never found. These victims were not armed guerrilla fighters but people who were simply believed to be associated with activist group or held left-wing views.
• Human right organizations place the number at 30,000.
• Every year in October, citizens will hold demonstrations along the streets.

Analysis  at a glance:

• Depth of field created around victim of guerrilla subversion
• Texture and unity created through shape of umbrella
• Linear perspective of umbrellas creates depth
• Hint of other portraits scattered around the picture creates a sense of presence/activity
• Colours are dull and gloomy
• Focus is on the portrait in the center
• Denotative and Connotative meanings present

Analysis
Signifier: Top view of the Umbrellas, Photographs

Signified:
- Umbrella: Shelter, Protection, Mourning, Funeral
- Photograph: Death (framing of the picture gives the effect); honorable death

Peire’s Theory : iconic, indexical, and symbolic to infer meanings and messages
Iconic

• The umbrellas
• A framed portrait

Indexical

• Image represents a shot captured while in the midst of the crowd
• It was raining when the photo was taken (the presence of the umbrellas gives the hint)
• Framed portrait: Death

Symbolic:

• Marks the democratic process in Argentina Representative of human rights
• The framing of the image (a view from above the umbrellas) also symbolises the people 'rising above' the 'dark'  times
  
• Humanity and empathy of the Argentine citizens and current government
• Remembering the “Dirty War”
  
• Consequences of military rule

Other images for comparison:

                                                                                            Source: Wikipedia
Photograph of those who 'disappeared' during the military rule
(Realistic image)






Founded in October 1977, the Association of Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo seek the return of children who disappeared during Argentina's dirty war


The photos above differ from our chosen photo in the sense that they:

• include expression of protestors
  
• show how the (living) human takes the spotlight/attention
  
• convey a sense of anger and intensity 
• have texts in the picture
  

Therefore, for a viewer who has prior knowledge of what the Dirty War is, s/he will be able to witness the change in the situation the photographer is trying to convey through the chosen image, whether or not s/he is an Argentinian. This image appeared on Aljazeera website, hence it is for viewers worldwide. For the other viewers who are less aware of the situation, they would still be able to 'sense' the empathy the photographer is trying to convey.

Self-assessment

Creativity / Originality	20/20
Composition	10/10
Effort	10/10
Depth of Field / Focus	10/10
Color Range	10/10
Exposure / Lighting	10/10
Dramatic Effect	10/10
Tells a Story	20/20
TOTAL	100

I would give our group a 10/10 because I would say that our interpretation of what the photographer wants to convey is close to the way the target audience would interpret.  In addition, the class also seem to agree with the way we interpreted the image.

Paul's and Mei Mei's photoanalysis is on a commercial photograph. Something different from ours. I like their interpretation of the advertisement for Las Vegas Paris. The chosen image is a good example of how the different elements in the image convey different meanings individually and how the meanings change when they form a composition. The target audience has been clearly identified and I would say that the advertisers did a fantastic job. Kudos to both the advertiser and to Paul's group. :D
They deserve a 10/10 too.