ON WATCH: Image Manipulation
I aim to have my project give a perspective on the abusive power administered by President Harry S. Truman and the U.S. military. When looking at the original image, the low resolution, black and white photo cannot symbolize the detrimental damage by the U.S. to the city of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There was preparation, significance, and meaning behind targeting these cities.
The layout for my “On Watch” digital graphic runs parallel to the idea of the United States as “Big Brother” amongst other countries during World War II. As the BIG BROTHER, America abuses its governmental power and can “bully” countries into following the rules and laws of democracy. To do this, the U.S. monitors and controls its people, policies, and communities. The images added to the monitors represent the story of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Hiroshima was a supply base and communication center for the Japanese military. When choosing the images on the monitors, I added photos of people harmed by the bombing and images of structural damage. Then, I added the bomb created, “little boy,” and pasted a red filter over the black and white image to signify the blood and murder it caused. By the end of the year, injury and radiation, the total number of deaths ranged from 90,000 to 166,000. Then, roughly 70% of the city’s buildings were destroyed. For what? As quoted by Truman, “aggression had to be done” so the U.S. could bring a closing to WWII without the financial cost and U.S. casualties.
I also added a geographical map of Japan and the cities targeted by the U.S. military. The iconic image blended into my manipulated image project is on the top right of the monitor screens. On August 6, 1945, a mushroom-looking cloud billowed into the sky after the B-29 bomber, Enola Gay, dropped the atomic bomb. Other small details I include:
- Harry Truman is the main character of the film.
- The release date of the film is the date of the bombing.
- “only in Hiroshima and Nagasaki,” the two bombing locations.
- For the cast list, I added names of important figures during Truman’s presidency, especially U.S military General Groves.
An image is powerful for its ability to capture a moment in time. To take an image a step further is a graphics ability to tell a story. I choose to make a movie poster because America can continually reinterpret situations as what is best for our country and our people. The “movie” would be an act of propaganda for investing in atomic bombs and rectifying the U.S. military. The U.S. can kill hundreds of thousands with one click of a button. America is always on watch.
