Emigratie naar Amerika Possibly 1949

This photograph, by Associated Press, captures a family emigrating to America. You can almost feel the weight of the moment, the gravity in the shades of grey. It’s a tonal image where nothing is concealed. Look at the small child on the step, hand in mouth, this small detail anchors the image and makes the whole group appear vulnerable, yet also determined, as they prepare to board the aircraft. The light, or lack of it, feels very deliberate. It adds to the sense of a serious moment in history. The photograph is a composition of textures. The soft wool of the child’s coat, the weave of the older child’s jumper, the slickness of the fuselage in the background, all layered in a way that gives a sense of depth. It has the graphic punch of a Robert Frank, but with a quieter, more intimate feel. In the end, it is the artist’s skill to capture the emotions and convey a visual message with such eloquence.