War Time Propaganda

I chose to look at this photo created by Brian Walski and discussed by Harry Fanid. I chose it because I think photographs of war and conflict are altered frequently, and that such alterations often exaggerate events, are not completely true, and are harmful. This photograph was created from two different photos, one of the British soldier, and the other of Iraqi citizens. It appeared soon after the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The British soldier is advising the Iraqi citizens, and a man and his child stand immediately to follow the soldier’s instructions. Walski claims that the photograph was enhanced in order to alter the “composition,” as though the composition of the photograph is altered so that it depicts exactly what he wants to discuss. I think it was altered in order to make a more striking image, depicting the authority of soldiers among civilians. In the altered image, the soldier has control of the situation, indicated by his gesture, posture, and possession of a weapon, while the citizens appear subdued. I think this alteration is harmful because it is completely fabricated: this situation may have never occurred! It is propaganda intended to depict the role of soldiers in the Iraq War, illustrating complete control and a good relationship between citizens and soldiers, which may not have been the case at the time of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. This kind of alteration is harmful because it doesn’t just change aspects of an image, but creates a completely new situation!

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