Running Head: ADULT INFLUENCE

Adult Influence On Kids

Edgar E. Solis
University of Texas at El Paso

ADULT INFLUENCE

Sometimes you need to see to believe. Many images have had many impactful messages that
have change the way people think or act without that being the intention. Many however have
been setup this way on purpose to cause a reaction. I will attempt to analyze a particular image
Boy and Smoking in an effort to see how the photo uses logos, pathos and ethos. I chose this
particular image because on a superficial level it grabbed my attention using its out-of-the
ordinary-imagery.
Boy and Smoking, by Jesco Denzel, paints a scene of a five-year-old boy and girl at a
gathering on New Years Eve 2006. What makes the image shocking is the fact that the boy is
smoking at such a young age and the adults dont seem to mind. Granted that smoking is a
terrible habit for anyone of any age, starting a such a young age is worse. Something that also
stands out of the image Is the little girls apparent attitude towards the boy as she appears to be
disapproving of the boys act.
The image uses logos wisely as it presents the situation as something out-of-the-ordinary
however shocking and believable. A young boy smoking is not your typical 7-year old habit, but
when come to think of it is not impossible and more likely if there is influence from the parent.
The image clearly knows the boundaries of what is possible and believable. In addition to logos
the image more prominently targets the viewer using pathos.
Pathos is more clearly displayed in the image as it makes the viewer react with sadness,
criticism, and anger. Boy and Smoking made me feel sad and angry on how bad parenting can
damage kids at such terrible levels. In addition, it made me criticize the lack of responsibility of
the adults present in the image. The color scheme also adds to the emotion as the two-tone color
scheme of black and white makes me feel sad and reflective.

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The last of the three modes of persuasion, ethos, is also the one least present in the image.
However, Denzels methods of capturing the photograph do add to its credibility and make the
image more professional. The way he uses depth of field in the image as well as making the two
kids the main focus of the image adds to the authenticity. By using these techniques, Denzel
makes sure the photograph is not dismissed.
Boy and Smoking makes use of the modes of persuasion effectively and gets the point across
by hooking the viewer instantly with its superficial values. By using Logos the image effectively
exhibits a believable scenario that impresses. He then goes on to use Pathos to trigger the
emotions of sadness and anger, while making the viewer criticize the situation. He finally uses
ethos in the form of camera techniques to give himself credibility and assert the audience that
what he is talking about is important. Boy and Smoking is a shocking image that clearly
evokes the viewer to react and criticize the themes of bad parenting and bad habits.

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References
Boy and Smoking Photograph and Information
Hiller, G. (2008, December 24). Jesco Denzel. Retrieved February 25, 2016, from
https://vervephoto.wordpress.com/2008/12/24/jesco-denzel/