Image Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Image Analysis - Essay Example To start with, the given image has the traits of an icon determined as â€Å"an image (or person) that refers to something beyond its individual components, something (or someone) that acquired symbolic significance† (Sturken and Cartwright, 2009, p. 444). In this context, the photograph of small Crimean boy can be considered as a symbol of innocence in front of Russian invasion. And so, it is reasonable to state that the photographer tended to bring sympathy in the heart of watchers as the child represents the lack of defense in front of military forces. Therefore, the symbolic notion provided by this image is evident as it has both denotative and connotative aspects in its content. Furthermore, the ideological aspect can be found in this image. Actually, the Western attitude to the current events in Ukraine in general and in Crimea in particular shows the total disapproval as the sanctions were implemented for Russian elite. For instance, BBC defined this operation as a â€Å"Crimean crisis† due to the â€Å"Russia’s move into Crimea† (Crimea Crisis, 2014). In such circumstances, presented image has an ideological message. While Ukraine is presented as a victim in Western media, the child from Ukraine symbolizes the whole country that is standing innocent in front of foreign troops. And so, the whole image has a powerful ideological message that supports the level of communication being held in public. Finally, the issue of objectivity is crucial for this image. In fact, each photograph can be considered as a sort of manipulation with public. As Victor Burgin (1999) mentions, â€Å"two images side by side tend to generate meanings not produced by either image on its own† (p. 44). In addition, the military jacket that is worn by this boy can be interpreted as a necessity to start a fighting in order to protect the homeland even though it is hard to resist adults. And so, in a current image due to the fact that it