Discourse Analysis of a Photograph by Durr-e-Ajam MA-TESOL I LCWU

The photograph selected from Hassan S Hakeems photography page can be seen on the following .307031259328459&type=1&theater . The album name is Random. link:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=470716492959934&set=a.470715782960005.109347

Discourse Analysis of a Photograph Photography is a subtle way of expression in which both the person behind the camera and the person in front of the photograph contribute to extract meaning from the world around them. In this specific image, Hakeem has captured a person carrying a gun, but his art has made it distinctive and exceptional. The photographer has not only grasped the attention of the spectator by adopting basic rules of photography but has also added exclusivity by flouting many of them. Hakeem has highlighted a strong geometrical shape i.e. circle that itself becomes an eye catching device because geometrical shapes clutch ones concentration. He has deliberately focused on the rounded figure in the foreground to elaborate his object of emphasis. Visual emphasis is the resting place of the eye. It is the center of interest, so the eye returns there. In the case of this photograph, circle is the object of visual emphasis. Usually, human form is considered as most interesting form in an image. It is striking that the photographer goes against this notion and purposefully devaluates the presence of a human form twice, first by taking it into background and then making it hazy. Hakeem also intentionally defies the rule of thirds in this image that denotes that the most important object should be placed in one third or two third of the image. The nozzle of the gun hardly possesses 0.5/4 of the image. Still it is the center of attention, one reason being its sharp contrast with the background both in shape and color. The glossy black outline of the cylinder with a matt jet black core contrasts the skins, fawns and blues of the background. The contrasting shape has already been discussed.

The perspective chosen for this image is atypical of Hakeem as he rarely uses direct front view perspective in his work. He has chosen eye view distance to capture the image to give a visual effect. He uses this perspective to captivate his viewer. From whatever angle and distance it is seen, it seems that the gun is pointed on the spectator and is following him, thus an optical illusion is created with the visual perception of the viewer. The directness of the gun shocks the viewer and thus visual effect is gained. Hassan S Hakeem often captures transient momentary instants and preserves them for his viewers. By using all above mentioned techniques, he has ceased a rather rare scene. In this image the domination enjoyed by the black circle connotes the very moment, when the person behind the gun loses prominence and the weapon holds the magnitude, because the last feeble sight of the person in front of that gun does not focus on the bearer of the gun but the gun itself. In todays Pakistan, here the value of human lives is reduced, this image is food for thought for its spectators who can feel the intensity of such a moment and can empathize with the sufferers all over the country thus this image has a sublime social comment that differentiates it from fascinating captions of tranquil landscapes and theatrical vistas.

Refrences: Hassan S Hakeems Photography , Facebook Analyzing a Photograph A how-To Guide (Hand Out)
STUDY REVEALS WHY EYES IN SOME PAINTINGS SEEM TO FOLLOW VIEWERS by James Tod http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/eyefolow.htm