Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin by Neil Armstrong 1969

On July 20th, 1969 astronaut Buzz Aldrin poses for a picture on the lunar surface. In the picture the lunar module is on the left and the astronauts footprints are clearly visible on the surface and soil of the moon. Astronaut Neil Armstrong took this picture with a 70 mm Hasselblad lunar surface camera, which is fascinating because the picture turned out so well, even though they are in space. Also shown in the picture is the American flag which is attached to a pole that is stuck into the surface of the moon. Seen in the background is a shadow from Apollo 11 and the dark color of the galaxy behind them. This picture is important to represent the first moon landing and to bring great honor to the United States and the Apollo 11 team. Even though this picture was taken on the moon it stills shows great contrast between the dark and light colors and it also has great sharpness and quality. The white of Buzz Aldrin’s space suit is greatly contrasted to the black background of the galaxy and space behind him. The American Flag comes in to bring color to the picture and also stands out which such bright colors and visual placement. The American Flag is placed almost right in the middle of the picture which catches the viewer’s eyes right away and causes them to look their first.

In the picture Buzz Aldrin is saluting the American Flag, which can be seen by his fingertips that are at his face-plate. The footprints from his space suite are clearly visible and expressed easily in the soil. Also in the picture Buzz Aldrin is facing towards the sun which can be seen because you can see the suns reflection on his visor. The American flag, in the picture, is blowing which can be seen by the ripples of its figure and the shape it is taking. This picture, with great contrast and quality, is an important picture for American history, not only for its significance but also for its picture quality. 

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Bud Fraker

This photograph of Audrey Hepburn from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is probably one of the most iconic pictures of fashion photography. The photo portrays the fashion icon wearing a classy black dress which has added accessories to match the long gown in the form of a pearl choker, a foot long cigarette holder, black opera gloves and a small tiara.

The photo is taken in black and white and is contrasted with the black background, but the background has a certain light effect on it which looks like a light is being portrayed on to her. She is looking right at the viewer with the foot long cigarette holder in her mouth. Her one arm is down by her side while the other is crossed along her body to reach the other one. Her hips are swayed towards one side and it creates an intense shape of her body, making her look like an hour glass.

This one picture grasps the beauty of Audrey Hepburn, while also exploiting her for being a famous movie star. The little black dress attained such iconic fame that it became an essential piece of clothing for a woman's wardrobe. She made this dress into something that everyday women wanted and after this picture was released it became a popular dress which is still used today for parties and other events. This picture creates a sense of beauty, elegance and grace. She makes something so simple look so elegant and magnificent. This picture stands to show how one person can cause an effect on so many people and it also represents the elegance this one person can contain and show by the capture of one photograph. “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was filmed over 50 years ago but still Audrey Hepburn captures people’s attention with her little black dress. 

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe by Sam Shaw 1954

On September 15, 1954, Marilyn Monroe stood on a subway grate in New York City wearing a little white dress and fought an upward breeze. This photograph is a scene from the Seven Year Itch, which went on to become one of the most iconic moments in movie history.                            The dress she is wearing is a white cocktail dress which has a plunging neckline which leaves her arms, shoulders and back bare. In this iconic picture, Marilyn Monroe is standing over the subway crate while her dress is flowing in the air, and she keeps it from coming up by placing her hand over it to cover her body. Her one hand is covered by the dress as she tries to keep it from flying upwards, and her other hand is back behind her ear, causing a sexual pose. The flow of her dress, floating around her body, creates this perception of a seductive movie star. Marilyn is seducing the camera in this pose, and in the same moment, everyone watching is being seduced by her. This one picture may not seem scandalous now, but back then this what not something normal, which shows just how spectacular and unique Marilyn Monroe was.

The image was shot in black-and-white in which the white of her dress and shoes contrasts the darkness of the background. Monroe’s very blonde hair and earrings also contrasts with the dark image. The fact that the dress is white makes her look almost as if she is flying, and as if she is angelic. In the image, you can see other photographers and an audience in the background. There is also another man walking past in the background who is not even looking in the direction of the camera shooting the image. It is almost as if he does not even notice that her dress is flying up. Also there is another man on the left side of the photo, who is looking at Monroe with a sense of craving and fondness. The angle of her bottom half makes it looks like her legs are slightly crossed and she is bent down, which makes it seem like she is trying to be innocent and not reveal too much. This can also be seen by how she puts her hand on her dress to cover more. Although she is crouching down a little, her legs still appear to be long like a models. This photograph is quite unique and fits Marilyn Monroe’s personality. 

Major Terri Gurrola

Major Terri Gurrola and her daughter Gaby taken by Louie Favorite/ The Journal of Constitution/ AP


In this picture Terri Gurrola is reunited with her daughter after serving in Iraq for 7 months. The picture shows Terri on the ground wrapping her daughter in a tight hug. She is crying tears of joy after being able to see her daughter after such a long time. Her daughters face is not visible in the picture, but I would imagine that she has a ginormous smile on her face. This picture stands to represent the intense emotional pain soldiers endure when they have to leave their families behind. This is a timeless photograph which captures a perfect moment in time, forever.

I think what is great about this picture is that it focuses on this connection between Terri and her daughter. It catches a moment in time that they both will remember forever and it creates an emotional response by those who view it. It is a very personal picture, which can be seen through Terri's tears and her hand placement on the back of her daughter head while she embraces her in a tight hug. I can only imagine watching Terri see her daughter and run to her and fall to the ground to give her a hug and hold her tight.

The floor is bright white and glossy, which makes the picture seem focused and clear. There is the lower half of someone's body in the picture, but it is definitely not something people are focusing on while looking at this picture, however, it can help to show that the world is happening around them while they are frozen in time with this moment. I think what my eye gazes towards first is Terri’s hand on the back of her daughters head. It is a small gesture, but somehow it had a major effect on me, because something so little like that was something she couldn’t do for months. This is truly an emotional picture, which has now been frozen at that moment, and can be used in the future to represent the struggles of soldiers and their families.