On October 22nd 2018, photojournalist Mustafa Hassona captured a powerful image of a Palestinian protestor in Gaza. This viral image portrays Aed Abu Amro holding the Palestinian flag in one hand, and a slingshot in another. An image that highly resembled Eugene Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People”.
The composition draws emphasis on Aed and his facial expression, as he appears in stark contrast to the reporters behind him. Aed’s choice of clothing illustrates bravery in his character as he stands there shirtless, juxtaposed by those in protective jackets.
The placement of Aed in the middle draws emphasis on his strong stance and stern face, which portrays him in a moment of heroism. The sharp focus on his body amidst the dark smoke, illustrates him as almost surreal, a sense of hope for the Palestinians despite their current darkness. However, a couple of weeks later, Aed was reportedly shot, that sense of power and hope was taken away from the Palestinians. This highlights the photographers ability to capture a specific moment that carries a different mood than that of reality.
