TOW #9: Powerful

(Mike Wells)

           This powerful picture creates a change in perspective and speaks to all without the use of words. The picture depicts a starving boy, and a missionary to emphasize the struggle that other countries and human beings are dealing with. It was taken to show how underdeveloped countries are struggling and there are young children that are malnourished, and fighting to stay alive.
          The photographer, Mike Wells, took this picture to ultimately juxtapose the hands of a small malnourished boy, and a healthy missionary. Capturing the picture of the boys hand within the missionaries hand helps contrast the distinct differences between the hands of two living completely different lifestyles. The way the picture was taken is also helpful in showing the size comparison or a healthy bones in the hand to the weak and fragile bones of one living without food for a number of days at a time. The appeal to pathos is amplified through the use of juxtaposition in that those viewing the picture is able to see and truly notice the hand of the boys, and see how truly emaciated the child is. Pathos is completely applied to this image due to the idea that it is depicting the lifestyle of a young child, and how different this boys life is to many of ours. This picture, along with apparent appeals to pathos, indirectly applies to logos. The picture is able to show how those in underdeveloped countries are suffering and without food, and clothing, while others in America have more than enough. It brings attention to the problem of children who have been forced to go days, weeks and even months without a sufficient amount of food or water. Overall, the picture creates a depressing tone, which leads to an eye-opening perspective in those who see this photograph because it exemplifies social issues that are consistently over looked.
         Mike Wells was successful in portraying the lifestyle of a child in an underdeveloped country by appealing to logos and pathos through strong juxtaposition and utilizing a depressing tone. I feel that this image was very eye-catching in that it is something I saw and felt the need to look into and also analyze. It is a true perspective changer picture.