Eisenstaedt The Kiss Analysis

The saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” The possibilities are endless, and in this case, timeless. This picture can portray the heart of a nation’s culture, the exuberance of a historic moment, or even the embodiment of a people. The year: 1945, sailors and nurses litter the streets of New York City. There is a sense of anticipation. Japan’s pending surrender (ending the world’s second ravaging period at war) and bringing America’s boys home is imminent. On August 14, 1945, Alfred Eisenstaedt unknowingly captures one of the most influential photographs in American history as New York City is captivated by news of America’s victory over Japan. Eisenstaedt’s snapshot of the kissing couple in “V-J Day in Times Square” (also known as “The Kiss”), depicts the face of the United States in the mid-1940’s: the national mood of elation, the spirit of American culture, and the beacon of hope for better days to come.
Having had perfect timing to catch a spontaneous lip lock in the middle of what is still the biggest city in the United States of America, “The Kiss” is categorized as one of the ten greatest images in the history of photojournalism. Pegged as the “father of photojournalism,” German born American photographer/photojournalist Alfred Eisenstaedt is renowned for capturing naturally lit candids on his 35mm Leica Camera. In 1944, Life magazine would quote Eisenstaedt to be the “dean of today’s miniature – camera experts.” As one of the first of four staff photographers for Life magazine, “eighty-six of his photographs made the cover” (Gallery M). Following the news of Japan’s surrender, a set titled “The Men of War Kiss from Coast to Coast” features Eisenstaedt’s photograph along with thirteen other images for the article, “Victory Celebrations” (Chan). None of these photos have the iconic effect quite like Eisenstaedt’s black and white