Age of the Image - Essay Example

The modern world is awash in visual storytelling (Apkon and Martin 1). Initially, paintings, oral stories, and writings were the dominant forms of expressive language. Various scholars define the Age of the Image as the period when images are important forms of communication in society. The new "age of the image" will enhance writing and reading since it will encourage us to interpret and rely on images as effective sources of information. For example, the image, “Agony of Omayra Sánchez" and its text draw a clear explanation of how the new "age of the image" can enhance writing and reading. This paper analyzes the image of Omayra Sanchez by Frank Fournier. Omayra Sanchez a 13-year-old girl was one of the victims of the 1985 Nevado del Ruiz volcano that took place in Columbia. The analysis will show the tremendous impact of the image in defining Omayra Sanchez, the Columbian government, and the photographer (BBC 1).

The Nevado del Ruiz volcano is a living stratovolcano that generates deadly volcanic mudflows in Colombia (The Famous Pictures Collection 1). On November 13, 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted leading to a blanket of ash that covered the town of Armero and buried villages with mud (The Famous Pictures Collection 1). The image relates to the Age of the Image that defines the transformation of literacy through the ages leading to the interaction between words and images in modern culture (Apkon and Martin 1). Indeed, upon publication, the "Agony of Omayra Sánchez" had a tremendous impact due to the controversy and information it derived about the Colombian government, humanitarian organizations, Omayra Sánchez, and Frank Fournier (Obviousmag 1). The photographer’s role and the Colombian government’s inaction were aspects that dominated the publication of the "Agony of Omayra Sánchez."

Buried up to her waist in concrete debris from her own home and submerged up to her neck in freezing water, the 13-year girl manifested profound courage and dignity as she agonized for about 60 hours (BBC 1). The photo depicted her pasty-white shriveled hands and bloodshot eyes that sealed her desperate state. Rescuers came and appealed to the Columbia government for help to rescue the trapped girl (BBC 1). Ultimately, the rescuers gave up due to a lack of supplies and started comforting her to death (BBC 1). As such, she sat in the water for 3 days hoping to get some help yet facing death with courage and dignity (BBC 1). By the time, Frank Fournier was taking the photo Omayra Sánchez was seemingly aware that death was inevitable yet she did not lose hope.

The publication of the image titled "Agony of Omayra Sánchez" had a significant impact and exposed the government, and photographer, and praised the victim. The photo communicates a very important message about death. It encourages us not to fear death since it has no suffering. Indeed, Omayra Sánchez faced it with courage since her living only defined agony at the time (The Famous Pictures Collection 1). She was sure of happiness after death. Since nobody will live forever and life expectancy in Colombia was seemingly low, Omayra Sánchez appreciated the idea of death. The fact that we are still talking about Omayra Sánchez long after her death confirms that we can conquer death. As such, the image is significant as it derives significant information as seen here.

The impact of technology also manifests in the image. Indeed, the publication of the image appalled the viewers since they realized that technology captured and transmitted the image to the world yet it could not save her life (BBC 1). As such, the image helped in defining the limits of technology in the modern world. Moreover, many people consider the image as the beginning of "media globalization" since many television stations across the globe followed the tragedy of Omayra Sanchez (Obviousmag 1). The image defines shocking reality and humanity as the photographer could only take the photo and watch the girl sleep to death in deep agony (Obviousmag 1). It marked the first description of the pain and death of a human being (Obviousmag 1). As such, the image defined the limits of modern technology, modern globalization, pain, and death.

The image exposed the indifference of the Colombian government in responding to disasters. Indeed, Colombia failed to offer evacuation plans despite foreseeing the magnitude of the disaster (BBC 1). As such, the image exposed leadership failure in Colombia and raised awareness about the need for humanitarian aid in Columbia. Additionally, the image portrays the challenges of a photographer since many people criticized Fournier for preying on the victims without helping her (BBC 1). However, it is clear that it is only through the image that we learned of the tragedy and other related aspects. By winning the World Press Photo in 1985, the image confirms its significance in reading and writing (Obviousmag 1).

In this essay, I attempted to show that the age of the image is encouraging us to interpret and rely on images as effective sources of information. I sought to confirm that the age of the image has consequences for writing and reading by analyzing the image titled, “Agony of Omayra Sánchez" by Frank Fournier. Indeed, I achieved this by showing the tremendous impact of the publication of this image. The image defined Omayra Sanchez, the Columbian government, technology, the photographer, and other relevant aspects. Notably, in writing this essay, I introduced the topic and gave background information about the age of the image and “Agony of Omayra Sánchez." I also did detailed research about the topic and analyzed the image and relevant texts. I summarized the relevant information to present a detailed, precise, and effective essay.