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Since the conflict in Georgia commenced, a steady flow of profound and startling images have emerged from the country.
Since this morning, I have been unable to tear my eyes from the following image, pictured on the front page of The Sunday Times News Review:
For sure, the size of this does not do it justice, since the News Review edition occupies the whole enormous page, but still, it is war photography at its most evocative.
For minutes at a time I gaze at the expressions of the two Georgian men pictured beneath the militiaman: the terrified bewilderment of the man in the shirt as it contrasts with his cohort, whose knowing fear is so poignantly captured in his eyes.
The anonymity of the militiaman – just a fatigue-sporting arm with a rifle – renders the unknown threat ominous and hulking.
The protective arm slung around his friend, or family member, the body language – are they about to run or have they been flung on the kerb? – all combine to make this an incredible, telling, and emotional image of war.
Dmitry Beliakov, thank you for taking the risk and showing the face of war.
I definitely see the fear in the red shirted one but I am puzzled by the other man. He’s looking away for starters and his body language doesn’t seem (to me) to be embracing the other man’s fear. Do you see what I mean?
Hi Mike: yes, I see what you mean; it is as though his fear and bewilderment has transcended his awareness of his immediate vicinity. Perhaps that is what is so captivating and arresting about the image: it can be interpreted in so many ways.