Why Evan Vucci’s Trump Photograph is So Powerful: Elevation, Color, and Flag

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally was vividly captured by several photographers. Among these, Pulitzer Prize winner Evan Vucci, renowned for his work during protests following George Floyd’s murder, took the most widely circulated image.

Vucci’s photograph is already being hailed as iconic. Many liken it to other significant images in photojournalism, celebrated for its content, use of color, and composition, and it will likely become an important piece of history.

On social media, viewers of Vucci’s image have analyzed its composition. They point out iconic motifs such as the American flag and Trump’s raised fist, discussing how these elements adhere to the rules of photographic composition, like the rule of thirds, enhancing the photograph’s impact.

Vucci’s photograph elevates Trump as the central figure, flanked by Secret Service agents who form a triangular composition that places Trump at the vertex, slightly to the left of a raised American flag. An agent on Trump’s right, with concealed eyes, looks directly into Vucci’s lens, drawing viewers into the image and leading their gaze to Trump’s fist.

Color plays a critical role in Vucci’s photograph, tying the elements together against a blue sky. The red, white, and navy blue elements, including the blood on Trump’s face, echo the stripes of the American flag and the red of the podium, adding depth to the image.

Vucci has emphasized the importance of maintaining photographic composure to achieve “the shot,” capturing situations from various angles with the right composition and light. For him, it was all part of “doing the job” of a photographer.

This approach aligns with the concept of a “photographic way of seeing,” where composition, light, timing, and subject matter come together perfectly. Susan Sontag compared this to the relationship between shooting and photographing, suggesting that both can be weaponized to alter public perception.

Vucci’s image echoes other iconic American photographs, such as Joe Rosenthal’s “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima” (1945). In Rosenthal’s photo, four marines raise the American flag, forming a pyramid structure. This image has also been immortalized as a war monument in Virginia.

The similarities between Vucci’s and Rosenthal’s images highlight how critical events in American history are often captured through a “photographic way of seeing.” This perspective frames the world and its events as photographs, constructing history visually.

The inherent paradox in “photographic seeing” is that no one can be everywhere at once or predict events before they occur. Vucci’s image gives the illusion of capturing “the moment” but actually depicts the immediate aftermath. It highlights Trump’s media savviness, showing him standing with his fist raised.

In a post-truth era, there is a growing concern about knowing the truth. While this extends beyond photography, visual representation plays a significant role. Whether Vucci’s image will further contribute to the mythology of Donald Trump and influence his potential reelection remains to be seen.

Source: AP Photo