Photography Analysis

D-Day- Robert Capa- 1944

This photo was taken during the D-Day landing during the Second World War. This soldier in the image was named Huston Riley, a 22-year-old, Private First Class soldier, who’s landing craft was shelled by Nazis. The craft landed in water so deep that he had to walk along the bottom until he couldn’t hold his breath any longer, so he activated his Navy M-26 belt life preservers and floated to the surface. He then became a target for guns mowing down his comrades. After being struck several times, it took the soldier about half an hour to reach the Normandy shore. Robert Capa took this photo of Riley in the surf and with the assistance of a sergeant who helped him, later recalled thinking why there was a cameraman on shore. Apparently, Capa spent an hour and a half under fire whilst the men around him died. A courier then transported his four rolls of film to LIFE’S London offices and the magazine’s general manager got the images on the June 19 issue. However, most of the film, showed no images after processing, and only some frames survived. The remaining photographs have a grainy, blurry look that give them the sense of action, which preserves our memories of these events that took place.

The frame and composition of this picture is set around Riley and his chaotic surroundings. He is the center of the image and what is going around him shows the dangers of his situation. This was taken during the center of a brutal assault. This shows the realistic and scary effect of the World War II. It is almost like this picture is showing Riley’s story, but also shows many other soldiers stories. This photo is mainly displaying the importance of what is happening to the soldier, as there does not appear to be anyone else surrounding him, however, the photographer is not necessarily leaving out his surroundings.

However, this picture is not focused on anything. It is quite blurred as it is capturing the jarring movement of what was going on in that moment. The focus-point in a picture can change the perspective of the subjects. Therefore, because nothing is in focus, it makes the viewer of the photo curious, as you want the picture to be in focus in order to truly know what is going on. Therefore, it makes the picture have a sort of mystery to it. It is also because, you are aware that there were most likely bullets flying everywhere which meant the photographer was unsteady and unstable while trying to get the shot.

The photographer obviously used natural lighting while taking the picture. From the context, it appears that it was most likely daytime when it was taken. However, from the picture being in black and white, it creates a very gloomy, melancholy theme in addition to the events going on in picture, it is clear why this is the theme. The dark theme of the picture adds to the dark theme of Dooms Day.