This photo, taken by Associated Press photographer Slava Veder, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1974. The picture depicts the return of released Vietnam War POW, Lt. Col. Robert L. Stirm, and his reunion with his family at a California air force base. Since the picture is in black and white and not color, it makes the subjects stand out more. The black and white picture also eliminates any other distractions in the background or unnecessary details. In many ways, I think that since this picture is in black and white, it unintentionally makes the image more memorable and clear to the viewer. There is very little in the background as well, and the background is also slightly blurred, which places all the emphasis on the subjects. Emphasizing only the subjects is what makes the image much more striking.
The image utilized many traditional techniques which make a good photograph. For example, this particular picture demonstrates the rule of thirds very well. Robert Stirm is placed on the far left of the picture, with the rest of his family his right. His oldest daughter, the focal point of the picture, is also located to the left of center in the picture. Looking at the horizontal, the horizon line behind the subjects is placed a third of the way down from the top of the photo. The heads of the subjects (except Robert Stirm) all align roughly along the horizon line, which also demonstrates the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is used well in this photo, which makes it seem symmetrical and well-composed.
One of the reasons that this photo is memorable and award-winning is because it captures very well the emotion of a particular moment. All of the emphasis is placed on the reactions of Robert Stirm’s family, especially because of the lack of focus on anything else around the scene. Because of the focus on the subjects, the viewer can clearly see the how the family is reacting in this moment. Also, the way that the family is positioned, in a diagonal line from the top right to the bottom right, helps to capture their reactions. You can clearly see the movement along this diagonal towards Robert Stirm. The figures in the back of the picture are moving less than the figures in front, so it looks like the overall movement of the subjects is increasing. Robert Stirm’s daughter, the central figure in this picture, is the culmination of movement towards her father. Because of the way that the subjects are places in this photo, it makes the viewer understand the emotions behind this image. Also, since the figures in the back are more blurred than the focal point, it draws your eye towards the main figure (the daughter). There are not many changes or critiques that I would make to this photo, because I think that it portrays a moment in time very well. The photo is composed well, and draws the viewer to the subjects and then to the focal point, capturing the excitement and movement of the scene.
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