Pulitzer Prize Winning Image At The Newseum

The most fascinating aspect of this photograph is how it not only captures one scene, but nine miniature scenes within the larger photograph. There is of course the main picture, which is of passengers on a plane watching as a fallen Marine’s casket is removed from the cargo hold. But within that there is so much more. There is no better use of framing, or frame-within-a-frame than this picture. The entrance to the cargo hold and the windows all act as separate pictures and make the viewer wonder what could possibly be going through all of these peoples minds. In a way, this photograph is a collection of portraits showing the effect of death and war on the common people. And anyone can easily put himself or herself in the passenger’s seat, which is one of the reasons that this picture is so accessible and powerful.

The rule of thirds is prominent in this photograph, with the centerpiece of the image (the Marines unloading the casket) being placed in the lower third of the shot and off center. It is easy to understand this is the most important part or the core of the photograph with literally everyone’s eyes in the photograph are directed towards the casket in the bottom left of the shot.

Even the colors of the image, despite being patriotic red, white and blue are rather somber. They are not bold, bright colors used for the Fourth of July, but much darker and convey the message that something terrible has happened for America. There are shadows darkening the entire scene and in fact the main source of light is coming from within the plane itself, which serves to highlight the people in the plane and helps darken everything else.

This photograph is one of the best ever taken because it has so many levels to it. It is quite possible to spend an hour on each of the faces in the window alone. It stands for a dark time in American history that many choose to ignore or put out of their minds. But that is wrong, and as a country we should not forget about our fallen heroes. This photograph and what it stands for helped to waken our collective consciousness as a country. Major Steve Beck said that all of the people on the plane are “going to remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. And they should.” The same applies for anyone who simply sees this image, whether it is in magazine or the Newseum.

Personally, there are few images or photographs that stand out as truly impressive in my mind. There are so many of death and destruction (especially among the Pulitzer Prize winners) that I try to put most of them out of my mind. But for some reason, I could not do that with this particular image. It stuck in my brain and I kept thinking about it. It not only stands for a dark time in America, but also the hope that we will come together as a country and be able to make it through together through the support of each other.