Pulitzer Prize Photo Analysis

            The piece I chose to analyze was a photograph by Carol Guzy, who in 2000 visited an Albanian refugee camp. One of the most important factors in this picture are the colors. The infant in the picture is clothed in a vibrant blue that instantly draws the attention of the eye to the baby. The blue of the clothing serves as a good bridge between the more muted blues of the skies and mountains, but at the same time also creates great contrast between the child’s clothing and the tan ground in the background.

Another fascinating feature is the humanity that comes through the picture when the audience looks at the different faces in the frame. Of particular interest are the baby’s face and the girl who his receiving the child on the other side of the fence. The child’s face shows such innocent feelings like bewilderment and also a bit of amusement I think. He does not understand the gravitas of situation at hand, and seems to be slightly enjoying being lifted up in the air.  Conversely, the young woman on the right hand side of the picture has a face of anguish. She seems old enough to be cognizant of what is happening, but young enough to feel the helplessness that permeates the situation that she is in. The framing of the picture is brilliantly done by the photographer, capturing both the act and the faces.

Lastly, the crossing of diagonal lines create a sense of motion. They also give strength to the picture as well, by being lines, and also by the simple fact that they are barbed wire. That in itself conveys more about the setting and scenario than anything else in the picture. Without the barbed wire, it would be hard to understand that they are refugees trying to escape from a war zone. These lines are a vital part of the picture.