Thomas Hoepker - 9/11 Image

1

       Write an analysis of the image of between 350 – 500 words in length.

This image photographed by Thomas Hoepker indicates how people’s perspectives were different throughout the tragic day New York experienced on the 11^th of September 2001. Each individuals body language is different as well as their facial expressions. This, to the audience, may suggest that the group photographed are not taking the situation seriously. However the distance of the disaster to the group is far, this also may suggest that they were helpless and had no way of helping. The image is confusing in the fact that people believe the group are generally getting on with their lives and ‘don’t care’ what is happening to their country but the way the two women are positioned in the bottom left corner shows how they are ready to help beat the thick black cloud of smoke that quickly spread around Americas atmosphere. In the image the twin towers are both nowhere to be seen, that’s either because they both have already collapsed or the fact that this deadly plume of smoke was predominantly trying to hide these famous buildings to confuse the American community. Another confusion this image causes is the nationality of these people. A lot of criticism and hate must have been sent to these individuals; however nothing indicates that these are actually American citizens. All 5 of these people are being casted as representatives of America and trying to suggest that all American’s reacted this way when the disaster struck. No immediate shock is advertised in this image although the easily noticed, thick black cloud of smoke represents the shock, as it allows you to picture the setting at the actual scene of the disaster. New York is seen in a different way in this picture. When you usually think about the city, you automatically think of yellow taxis, lit up buildings and crowded areas. This eccentric image shows a calm side to New York, even with the disaster in the background. The first glimpse you get of this famous image you notice how the middle woman behind the bike is leaning which suggests laughter. Here we immediately assume she is laughing at what has happened to The World Trade Centre however which supports the fact that the other surrounding group members are not looking at the situation behind. The juxtaposition in this image is a great contrast of how two different settings can be so different yet so similar. By this I mean how the group are relaxing and enjoying their time, this can symbolise how employees in the twin towers were before the planes destroyed these two beautiful buildings. The way the plume of smoke hides the buildings shows the first time America is seen without their most famous landmark.

Carry out research into Hoepker, his work as a photographer and responses to the controversial 9/11 image.

Thomas Hoepker is a German photographer who is most famous for capturing the controversial image which was taken on the day that America experienced a dramatic disaster which changed the way they lived. The image he amazingly captured had different responses throughout different parts of the world. The picture got criticized massively, as well as him. The audience found that the people in the image were receiving hate for being so laid back but he also must have been laid back enough to photograph a group of people. Different responses were that Hoepker was just trying to capture the first time America had been seen without their beautiful landmark. Thomas Hoepker was part of Magnum photography, he and others suggested that the photo was ambiguous by representing America by only five people. Thomas Hoepker was labelled as 'The Image Maker' from the photos he captured especially the 9/11 photo which stunned America. He was able to capture one event which happened however capture five different people’s feelings and thoughts towards it. Hoepker also allowed people to use their imagination by taking the photo at a slight angle in which he did, which caused people to argue on how citizens were or were not bothered this caused inappropriate and varied responses.