Todd Heisler’s great work as a photojournalist is represented in his collection of images, titled “Final Salute.” These photos, taken for a news spread in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain News, were awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 2006. For one year, Heisler followed those responsible for notifying families of fallen Marines, and also profiled funerals of those who passed. These images remind the public of the cost of war. One particular photograph, which is featured subtly in the Newseum in Washington, D.C., shows a picture of Marines sending a flag-covered casket on a commercial airplane. Although the scene of men bowing over a fallen brother is already striking, Heisler used lighting, color, and lines to make the image award winning.
When one looks at Heisler’s photograph, their eye immediately goes to the brightest point underneath the airplane. This works to the photographer’s advantage because the bright light features the subject, the marines and casket. Acting almost as a spotlight and a backlight, there are dramatic shadows that portray the emotional weight of the scene. Despite these shadows, however, little is left to the imagination. Heisler is giving people a firsthand account of the realities of war. It seems that politics and the media cast enough ‘shadows’ on this issue, and dramatic dark shadowing would have reinforced that trend. Given this, the subtle yet striking lighting in the bottom cabin was an appropriate choice that was consistent with the goals of “Final Salute.”
It is appropriate to analyze the use of lines and color simultaneously in this image, because each line represents a change in color. Beginning at the subject, one immediately recognizes the red and white stripes of the American flag. Highlighted by the light, these colors instill patriotism and pride within the average American observer. Jim Krause, in his book Photo Idea Index, encourages photographers to explore “colorization” while conveying emotion (Krause 146). Although Krause suggests digital color tinting to achieve this, it seems that Heisler took advantage of the colors that existed naturally to instill and portray emotion. The lines of the American flag point upward, drawing the eye upward toward the upper half of the image. This introduces the viewer to another set of red and white lines on the airplane. One would think that these lines intend to represent patriotism and pride as well, but in this image the two lines on the plane seem to divide the lives of soldiers and civilians. The cabin windows show several passengers looking out the window, completely unaware of the cargo that is entering their plane. The white and red lines on the airplane, which span across the entire image, symbolize the disconnect between civilians and soldiers in time of war. Civilians (the passengers looking out the window) continue their lives in wartime, occasionally consuming the information available to them. Meanwhile, soldiers (the men in the bottom of the airplane), continue serving those above and their country dutifully.
Although Heisler’s photo is not featured prominently in D.C.’s Newseum Gallery of Pulitzer Prize Photographs, it commands the attention of all who walk through. It’s use of lighting, color, and lines speak thousands of words regarding military sacrifice, political communication in times of war, and American values. Few Americans lack an opinion about the military efforts that exist around the world. This image is attractive to those who care about those who are fighting and who demand more answers. Through his award winning collection of images, Heisler successfully takes the first step in blurring the thick white and red lines that divide civilians and the military.
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