Auschwitz 65 Years Later

This is an image of Auschwitz taken 65 years after the closing of the camp. Take a moment to look at this photo and consider that approximately 1 million people were killed at this camp (that would be 1 out of every four people living in Sydney).

There are some powerful visual techniques being used in this photo. Take 5 minutes to point out at least 5 aspects of the photo which stand out to you and how they relate to the great anguish that was experienced at this site (create a post on your blog with the photo - don't try to copy and paste photo it won't work).

• Consider the use of vectors, line, contrast, composition, colour, and perspective (there are more techniques) The wire is on the same angle and the same way as the house in the background. The colour is dull and quite unhappy. The contrast between the building and the snow, the building is dark and the snow is bright and that's the only contrast, there are no lively colours. Composition has taken place with the barbed wire in the front signifying the power of the Nazis. The wire points towards the guard tower and also there is barbed wire in all aspects of the photo. From the positioning of where the photos taken mean we are on the German side of the picture.
• How can the visual elements in the photo evoke empathy and reverence from a viewer?
  It can evoke empathy because there is no life or vibrant colours, it would be extremely boring and inhumane.
• How is Auschwitz represented in this photo?
  Auschwitz is represented as a dull, boring, harsh place to be with no interaction to anything fun.
• Find another photo of Auschwitz that you feel has an important representation of this place that caused so much pain and destruction. Analyse the use of visual techniques which make it particularly engaging. How does it represent this location?
  
  This photos is engaging because the low level shot and the wide view make us get the whole idea of the camp. the train tracks going into the camp are a use of vectors to get us to look straight at the camp. The symmetry of the building signifies the power/straight forward nature of the Germans.