Zimbabwe Photograph

This picture is very unique and interesting to the eye. One thing that really catches my attention is all of the graves that cover such a large area. The photographer was really able to capture the large number of deaths because he took the photo looking out over the land and held the camera slightly up, looking down. The man that is starting to dig another grave is in the foreground of the picture. His body position tells the viewer a lot about his emotions. For example, because his body is hunched over, it can be assumed that he is upset and extremely exhausted. Also, this man looks as if he is not a very wealthy man and has this job because it is the only way he can make some sort of money so that he can live. In addition, his full body suit and high boots that are very dirty suggest that he only has one outfit. The worker is all the way to the right in the photograph. This suggests that although he is in the photo, he is not the most important part. I think that since the graves are in the middle of the photograph, the photographer was trying to get the point across that in Zimbabwe there is a problem with with the number of people dying from diseases such as Cholera. If the man was in the center of the photograph, then i would be more likely to think that the photographer is trying to make a point about how the job availability in third world countries is very scarse. Another object in the photo that could be altered is the axe/tool that the worker is holding. The man is holding the axe above his head, as if he is about to begin digging another grave. However, if the axe was closer to the ground or just hanging in the man's hands, I might think that the man is either done digging graves, temporarily. Also, I may think that the worker is thinking about all of the people that have died and possibly the people that he knows who have either died or have the disease. Another part of this photograph that makes it so unique is the way the sky and the land contrast. The sky is a light blue and if looked at alone would portray a happy and peaceful setting. However, the land, which is dry and covered with graves, gives off a depressing and cold feeling.