Syria and Elsewhere

The series is called Syria and Elsewhere and this image is by Baz Ratnen/Reuters and in this image a man is looking out, Majdal Shams window, at a rally which is commemorating Israel’s 31^st anniversary of the Golan Heights annexation. The man is staring at the Syrian flag in awe.  This image shows a great reaction to a man really taking in the significance of this rally.  It shows the people at peace, represented by the flag.  Normally when you think of a rally you think of chaos and excitement but this image shows the calmness and significance of the people. It’s a celebration in a classy way.

 The man’s facial expression expresses the whole picture. On his face you see inspiration, complete realization and this utter calm sense. The flag is what he is looking at and the reflection is what we are seeing.  He is happy and proud but not in an overbearing way. The flag is a center piece which really illustrates what this rally means to him. Even the reflection of the man smiling gives the viewer a feeling of peace.  The relaxed smile on his face being seen as a reflection on the rally is a joyous realization.  It gives the viewer a sense that they feel accomplished in a sensitive way.

The classiness of this image is brought out by the stillness of the background.  The people are clearly moving and waving their flags in the rally but the picture is taken at a moment were everything almost feels like it was frozen for this man to see.  Even the second flag off focus in waving motion doesn’t seem so real. There is just this surreal moment of realization that makes the viewer see this calm peaceful significant moment.  The viewer gets this complete understanding of how the people feel at or watching this rally take place.

This photo is inspiring because it captures an in the moment reaction of what could be a very hectic and cheerful place.  It slows down a fast moving event and captures everything in one shot.  The photographer does a great job with this event and image.  The photo is perfectly fine by itself it completely tells an entire story on its own and needs no set up images or following ones. This image really does influence my understanding on outside US issues.  Sometimes I really don’t know what is going on in the world, almost like I’m in my own protective cover.  This image allows me to understand what other countries may be grateful for as significant or insignificant as it may be.  It definitely impacted my way of thinking when I photograph.  I may take a different approach to things that are mundane or exciting.