This photo contains a story and everyone who has viewed this photo has “read” the photo in some way or another.
Reading processes varies between individuals, however this is how I personally read the photo above. I first noticed the people in the foreground. Their posture is relaxed and they appear to be chatting and enjoying a warm, sunny day with their friends. The split second after I noticed the people, I saw the smoke billowing on the horizon behind them. The people seem blissfully unaware of the chaos behind them. When I saw the city skyline blacked out by copious amounts of smoke, my mind immediately jumped to the Twin Towers being destroyed on 9/11. I actually second guessed myself after my initial assumption because I placed the photo to have been taken circa the 1980s or 1990s due to some of the hairstyles and clothing choices the people were sporting. Once I saw the background story of the photo, I realized my initial assumption was correct and the photo was indeed documenting the travesty of 9/11.
I believe the opinion posed in the photo is that terrible and traumatizing events can sneak up when life seems to be going well. The subjects in the photo appear to be having a lovely day but the moment they realize what is going on behind them, their hearts will drop to their stomachs in horror. From that moment on, their lives will be darkened by the memory of that day, the recollection of the terrorist attack that killed hundreds of innocent people.
In cases of real-life documentation, I do not agree with Plato’s opposition to images. I believe that images such as this documentation of a tragic attack can serve as a reminder of the closeness of death to many future generations. Photographs keep the horror of past events real to viewers so that they may endeavor to never let such an event be repeated. This particular photograph is the embodiment of America’s theme in memory of 9/11: “Never Forget.”
References: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/sep/02/911-photo-thomas-hoepker-meaning
Clarity with Clara 