Lee Harvey Oswald Holding the Rifle... 1963

Marina Oswald made this photograph, "Lee Harvey Oswald Holding the Rifle..." sometime in the early 1960s, and it has all the stark simplicity of an old documentary film. What's striking is how the mundane setting — the picket fence, the ordinary yard — contrasts with the charged figure of Oswald and the menacing rifle. I can imagine Marina framing the shot, maybe even directing Lee, trying to capture something of his essence. There’s a tension in the composition; the shadow of the building cuts sharply across the frame, and the light falls unevenly, creating a sense of unease. The way Oswald holds the rifle, almost awkwardly, speaks volumes, as if the photographer has made a strange portrait that captures both power and vulnerability. It reminds me a bit of other documentary photographers, like Diane Arbus, who sought to capture a side of humanity often overlooked. It's a reminder that every artist, regardless of their subject matter, is trying to make sense of the world around them, and sometimes, the most ordinary images can carry the most weight.