Reading a War Photograph

Emanuil Evzerikhin’s photo, “Five High Speed Aircraft Fighters” relies heavily upon symmetrical balance to depict the close approach of 1930s military airplanes. In the far background, buildings and a darkened horizon can be seen against a cloudy, but relatively bright sky.

Spread almost evenly across this sky, the sharp contrast of these five fighters creates an extremely specific focus in an otherwise spacious photograph. While the actual content of the photograph extends for many miles beyond the airplanes, the landscape is secondary to the fast approaching machines. The image provides a vantage point that is far from objective. In fact, this particular angle suggests an invasion – the viewer appears to be on the wrong end of these warplanes. The aircraft are angled downward, as if taking aim at the viewer’s position.

Interestingly, while the fighters all have their left wings angled upward, Evzerikhin chose to angle his camera in the same manner. As a result, the planes are easily identifiable as the subject of this photograph while the horizon and structures in the background seem askew. This decision by the photographer seems extremely intentional, perhaps revealing the significance of these airplanes as he attempts to capture the emotional value of this particular moment.