Chuck Kennedy Visual Rhetoric

Visual Rhetoric
This picture was taken by Chuck Kennedy, the official White House photographer during the Obama administration. The picture was taken on September 11, 2014, the thirteenth anniversary of the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. It shows the President, Barack Obama, along with First Lady, Michelle Obama, and Vice President, Joe Biden, on the South Lawn of the White House partaking in a moment of silence with the entire White House staff. The photographer is very well known among the Obama family as well as those who worked closely with them, for capturing many important moments and events throughout his terms. Kennedy strengthens the power of this picture using the pathos rhetorical appeal. He uses several techniques to convey the emotion in the photograph such as the camera angle, symbolism, and color choice.

Kennedy took this picture from a high and wide angle, allowing the viewer to see all the people attending the service. The angle also serves to make the people in the photo look much smaller than they actually are, while making many symbols in the photo, such as the white house and the flags in the background, look significantly larger. One effect this has on the
audience is that they see how small and vulnerable the American citizens feel on the anniversary of 9/11. By showing the large gathering of people, the viewers can also see how Americans come together on this day to mourn the loss of their people as well as to look forward to a brighter future. The angle also allows the audience to see Obama in front of the crown. This shows everyone that he is the leader of the country and that he’s mourning with his people. Overall, the camera angle serves as a perfect device to convey the wide range of emotion felt when looking at the photograph.
The use of symbolism also portrays a strong sense of pathos. In the background of the picture, the American flag can be seem twice. Once on top of the White House as well as directly in front of it. The White House itself also serves as a symbol of our country. Both of these images display a sense of pride for our country, even if the purpose of the photo is to remember a time when our nation was fallen. They stir patriotism inside the viewers in order to depict how the tragedy of 9/11 didn’t only affect the family members and friends of those who died in the incident, but rather the entire United States population.
The most prominent of the rhetorical devices used by Kennedy was the color choice in the photo.
Almost everyone shown in the photo is wearing black, a classic color used to illustrate emotions such as sadness, grief, and mourning. All of which can be clearly seen on the faces of the service’s attendees. The pain of loss is vividly shown throughout the picture, illuminated by the black clothing items. In addition to the overwhelming black shades, notes of red, white, and blue are worn by many of the people; perhaps as an ode to the American lives lost. The hurt shown through this picture hardly need to be explained. While the photograph isn’t shadowy, the overall color scheme is very bleak, almost as if trying to further convey the negative emotion of the
event. Chuck Kennedy does an excellent job portraying the pathos in the photograph. He manages to show the sadness felt by those being photographed as well as the patriotism they are showing for their country. By using camera angles, symbolism, and color choice, Kennedy is able to convey many thoughts, feelings, and ideas in the photograph.