Henri Cartier-Bresson's "Behind La Gare St. Lazarre, 1932"

Cartier-Bresson was a master of taking photos at the crucial moment, and I believe this photo displays that tactic better than any.  The setting seems almost grim with the evening or morning fog, and the sharp spikes of the fence seem threatening when accompanied by the zig-zag lines of the roofs behind it.  The lines of the background are sharp and reflected on the smooth surface of the water, but the rounded lines in the foreground pose a pleasant contrast.  Everything seems still except for the figure jumping from the ladder toward what is likely dry land outside of the picture's framing.  Yet, we can tell that there is no way that the man could have made it.  His heel is mere inches from the water, yet in this image he will never touch the water, never break its smooth surface with a splash.  He is forever frozen in time as a dark, blurry figure, suspended in mid-air.  Even the ripples the ladder made in the water seem unreal and add to the altogether strange and wonderful aesthetic of the photograph.  This image makes one wonder what happened after the picture was taken, and I doubt that if it were taken moment before or after that it would be such a famous picture.

Shepard Fairey's "Hope" Poster

 

Who can forget the iconic poster of Barack Obama that was widely circulated during the 2008 Presidential elections?  This silkscreen, created by Shepard Fairey, became the symbol of the campaign along with the  motto: "Yes, we can!" The colors used already conjure up the idea of a patriotic president, as only blue, white, and red are used in the image.  Obama's face is upturned, looking ahead and upward with a subtle smile in spite of his serious gaze.  He seems to be looking to a future full of hope, as the bold, capitalized words beneath him show.  A viewer could see him as a man who would not only bring hope and a bright future, but would inspire it in others in his role as president.  After the rocky term of George Bush, people in the nation were looking for someone young and determined to turn things around, to bring the change that Barack Obama promised in his campaign.  The symbol of his campaign, the sunrise over the red and white stripes, shows the dawn of a new era, and this idea so possessed voters that it is no wonder that Obama was elected president.  With inspirational, encouraging posters like this that epitomized him as the bringer and embodiment of hope, how could he lose?

Henry Peach Robinson's "Fading Away"

Having watched a family member slowly fade away unto death, I believe Henry Peach Robinson's photo, Fading Away, fully encapsulates the emotions that surround the event.  From what I've read, the girl in white is succumbing to consumption, what we now know as tuberculosis, and her family has gathered around her for her final moments.  Her mother stays close, fluffing her pillows as if wanting to make sure her daughter is completely comfortable during this passing.  What appears to be a grandmother sits at the feet of the girl, holding a book.  Perhaps she was wanting to read to her granddaughter one last time.  As for the father, he simply cannot bear to look at her, because he does not want to believe that she is truly dying.  Either that, or he is trying to hide his grief and despair from his family so they don't think he is weak or has lost hope.

Overall, the photograph is a heart-rending one, and the black and white of the photo shows the sense of grim solemnity and sorrow that the family feels.  Though they are surrounded by rich fabrics and luxurious furniture, none of their wealth can save their daughter, and she already looks to be an angel dressed in white, ready for her ascension.