Nicolas Garcia

Rhetorical Analysis: Lake Melvern

10-17-13

The purpose of Terry Evans photograph Lake Melvern is to show that while nature tends toward balance, its means of doing so are unknowable to us. Evans achieves this affect through his masterful understanding of the audiences perceptions; the photographs content and color scheme make it possible for the audience to perceive two distinct situations which both have the same purpose. While both interpretations of the image initially instill in the audience a sense of confusion and anxiety, closer inspection reveals that the photograph also intends to show that nature is purely cyclical. The first interpretation of the image is better seen at a distance, where the photograph seems to be an image of the aftermath of a forest fire. Most of the scene is obscured in smoke; light gray in the middle but darker farther up the picture with an orange-red glow behind it. There is a small break in the top left corner where blue sky can be seen. The bottom third of the photograph makes up the foreground and is the only portion not covered by smoke. Small wisps of smoke float up out of black smoldering undergrowth. Black branches in the periphery are the only vestiges of tree-life. Within this interpretation, the first thing the audience sees is the smoke. With 70% of the photograph covered by it, its impossible to ignore. But while its rationally obvious that nothing aside from the foreground can be identified because of the haze, the onlooker still stares into the fog in the middle of the picture. This manipulation is evidence of Evans excellent understanding of human nature. The audience doesnt like the uncertainty the smoke represents; it is in our nature to stare at obscurity indefinitely until we know what we see. It is a combination of fear, curiosity, and self preservation that prevent the audience from tearing its gaze from the smoke. The observer first feels fear because the scene depicts the deathly aftermath of one natures more violent processes. While this initial fear is considerable, the onlooker is afraid predominantly because the smoke obscures the certainty of whether or not the danger has passed. The red glow towards the background could be refracted sunlight, or it could be more flames burning at some uncertain distance or intensity. Sensing both possibilities, the audience is simply curious as to what could be lurking behind the smoke. In the end however, the observer cannot look away because on a deeper, primal level, it is understood that potential danger could reveal itself at any time. For the sake of safety, it is necessary to keep a watchful eye on the smoke at all times. While this interpretation of the image initially induces a heightened level of anxiety and distrust of nature, it is also a reminder of how balanced nature is. At some point in observing the photograph, the observers eyes come to rest on the most out-of-place portion of the scene. At the top left corner, there is a bright splotch of blue sunlight shooting through a break in the smoke. Albeit small, this is very reassuring to the audience. On one level, it is a physical indicator that the fire is not as big as it seems, considering that a tremendous bush-fire would produce smoke enough to blot out the entire sky. Also on a rational level, the audience may understand that forest fires are necessary for the revitalization of the forest ecosystem. Emotionally however, blue sky behind the smoke provides comfort to

Nicolas Garcia

Rhetorical Analysis: Lake Melvern

10-17-13

the anxious audience; the assurance that despite all the destruction, the future will be better. Blue sky here represents optimism that the situation will improve. Without the inclusion of this aspect, the image would just be a dismal portrayal of how ruthless natural processes are. The fact that there is blue sky means it was Evans intention to give the image an emotional counterpoint. This first interpretation of the photograph not only makes the audience feel afraid and uncertain of nature, but assures the audience that nature gives us beauty in addition to destruction, in its own time. The second interpretation of the image, while not as dramatic or fearinducing as the first, is still a testament to natures unknowable and unpredictable tendency towards balance. This interpretation is harder to see, depending upon the visual abilities of the onlooker and the lighting. Looking close enough, however, its possible to see that the scene is not actually smoke hanging over the remnants of a natural fire, but instead the scene depicts a thick mass of morning fog hanging over a dark meadow. The two-scenes-in-one effect is created by the colors in the photograph. The foreground is sufficiently dark to make the ground look like shaded vegetation as opposed to burnt underbrush. What might have been smoked tree limbs are now dark, thin weeds. The fire-like glow beyond the smoke is now the rising sun shining through the upper layers of the fog. This new scene is quiet, but still thick with mystery. While this interpretation of the image lacks the sense of danger or destruction of the smoke scene, it still gives the audience the same sense of confusion. The fog presents the same visual dilemma to the audience: what lies behind it? The fog itself seems almost unnatural in how thick it is. The foreground is almost completely dark, meaning that the visible sunlight behind the fog is being stifled to the extent of almost being non-existent. The entire situation is itself slightly off-putting to the observer, who is denied the sunrise that seems so close. Evans trance effect is used equally well in this interpretation, as the audience still cant look away from the fog. The fear and sense of self-preservation are not as prevalent at this point, but the curiosity all the same drives the observer to peer into the fog and make sense of the scene. The small portion of sunlight in the corner is still there, and its meaning in this interpretation of the image is consistent with the theme from the earlier interpretation. Here, however, it is a stronger symbol of the inevitability of natures changing states. This is the early morning sky, lit by the rising sun behind the fog. So not only is the observer comforted by this one piece of clarity in the scene, but also knowing that as the day progresses the fog will slowly clear out. This represents natures dynamic progression to balance, as the audience can be certain that sooner or later the fog will dissipate. Whether it be the aftermath of a forest-fire or the mysterious fog over a dark meadow, Lake Melvern depicts the confusing and mysterious processes of nature. However, despite the unpredictability of natures means, there is a certainty in its ends. Nature is cyclical; there will be smoke, but there will also be blue sky above it.