World PRess 1st Prize winner

Victim of violence against women, Guatemala

© Walter Astrada, Argentina/World Picture Network.
2007 World Press Photo Contest.
1st Prize Contemporary Issues Singles.

Great photograph. I think that this photograph is very effective and shows clearly that this scene is not a happy scene. The light is almost non existent, which creates a gloomy photograph that is striking. The low lighting conditions create a point of focus for the viewer. The person that lies dead or injured is visible clearly, which captures my attention. The photographer was well aware of the surroundings in the photograph and of the position of the main subject, which shows a sense of vision, because nothing is distracting in the photograph and everything just seems to flow within the frame. I think that the way the light was captured in the photograph really makes use of the surrounding objects by making these random objects work within four corners. If the lighting was bright, the photo would not be as effective in stating violence or shock, and would allow for surrounding objects to be too visible, which would be a major distraction.