Alfred Eisenstaedt: The Kiss

By: Grayson Collins and Shelbey Devine

The Meaning Behind the Ironic Photo

A Photograph, its Media, and a Rhetorical Impression

The classic V-J Day in Times Square photograph taken on August 14 of
1945 by Alfred Eisenstaedt, feature an American sailor and a woman in
a white dress sharing a celebratory kiss after the victory over Japan.
This image has become one of the worlds most iconic photographs and
speaks many untold stories. Although the picture tells many different
stories, it represents the time of excitement after the victory of japan
and the reconnection of loved ones, many that were waiting for the
return of them overseas.
Individuals & Key Details Included
There are three major figures that went into creating this iconic image.
One would be the photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt; and the two
veterans pictured, George Mendonsa and Greta Zimmer Friedman. An
obvious detail of their life that must be emphasized would be their
military association (that would have brought them to this place, and
their excitement that the war was over that created this picture). If it

hadnt been for their being a part of the military and the war, this
picture would not have happened. The joy of the announcement of the
war being over, along with the drunkenness of Mendonsa.
Organization
We plan to start our essay with an example of what someone looking at
this picture for the first time, with no background knowledge on this
particular image would conclude of what theyre seeing. This person
would probably draw themes such as love, celebration, etc. We will
then go into the details of the actual pictures environment when it was
taken; such as the historical context, the individuals stories, and both
of the individuals current whereabouts. These two profiles of this
picture vary greatly. Photography sometimes encourages this, and we
will discuss that in our work. This is one of still photographys flaws or
shortcomings a picture can say a thousand words, but to what
extent are those an illusion? We will discuss what this means the
assumptions of one when seeing this image versus the reality of the
pictures context and what that says about the human imagination, the
illusion of themes across our culture, and as whole, how that defines us
as a population.
Style
The voice being presented in project A on the image of The Kiss, will
project a voice of third person. The figure in the essay will center the
subjects of the photo and the photographer. The central focus will
obtain a voice of mostly, He did, she did, the photographer, and other
third person pronouns and active voice.
Audience
The main audience of this project will be Professor Wickliff and the
Visual Rhetoric class, in addition, those who are interested in this
photograph, study photograph, and those interested in iconic photos
and their history. It is important for readers to have a basic
understanding of the historical period of World War II. It is also
important that readers have a basic knowledge of rhetoric and an
interest and expression in photography. Reader will need to be old
enough or have obtain a basic knowledge and appreciation for societal
theme and be able to detect and understand rhetoric and apply critical
thinking along with being able to analysis material for deeper
meanings. We read an article from the New York Times that
interviewed the kissers, and we plan to model their voice. The NY
Times staff used a third person voice, but also added historical content
and research that they had gathered. We plan to use that kind of
method to present information.
Victory Over Japan

The classic V-J Day in Times Square photograph taken on August 14,
1945 by Alfred Eisenstaedt, features an American sailor and a nurse in
a white dress sharing a celebratory kiss after the victory over Japan.
This photo has been placed in news papers, articles, the news, and
broadcasted everywhere. From Los Angeles Times to the Charlotte
Sunday Observer this photo has become world renowned, making it
one of the faces of the victory over the Japan celebration.
Prospected History
The history of the photographed event itself is often misleading. When
observing the image, most think it captures a couple in love, and that
they are celebrating that they can now stay home in the US, get
married, have children, and live happily ever after. This is all
automatically assumed when looking at the image. The reality of the
photo is much less romantic. The picture actually features a drunken
sailor grabbing and kissing a random nurse (whom he did not know)
out of sheer joy that the war is over. It expresses a joy and excitement
that can be conveyed to any viewer. What joy one must feel to just
grab a stranger and kiss them! This image in itself represents
celebration in American culture. In modern times slang, one might
see this image described as an example of the you only live once, or
better yet, carpe diem phrase that is so popular in todays American
youth. There are countless copies and reproductions of this image made into posters, wall art, magazine covers, and murals. This picture
has become more of an American icon, rather than just a historical
image.
Alfred Eisenstaedt (Well add more on his professional career
in the final edition)
This image was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Now finding the
placement of the image is a little tricky. The image has become so
popular it has been mass produced around America.

The Camera Used to Capture the Photo

The Famous photo of the Time Square Kiss following the victory
over Japan was taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt. Eisenstaedt used the Leica
llla with a 50mm F/2 lens. He used this camera until the end of his life
in 1995. The camera took the famous VJ Kiss along with many other
famous photos including a shot of President Bill Clinton in 1993. This
camera continues to be in wonderful shape and the ability to take
quality photo. The photo was set to be sold for $32,000 and sold for
$150,000.

The Original Negatives of the Photo

The negative/ contact print of the V-J Day Kiss picture is currently
owned by Getty Images, and was previously owned by Time & Life
Pictures, Pix Inc., and first Alfred Eisenstaedt himself initially. The
negative strip features the four shots taken of the kissing scene, all
varying a little in the couples position and the passing crowd around
them. A 1988 copy of the image was signed on the back by Mr.
Eisenstaedt and stamped with copyright marks, this copy sold for
$31,000 at an auction.

Work Cited

Deivn Coldewey. Today. Camera that shot famed 'V-J Day Kiss' photo up for
auctionhttp://www.today.com/tech/gadgets/camera-shot-famed-v-j-day-kissphoto-auction-flna6C9548163

Hugo Guy, Becky Evans. Daily Mail. German-made camera used to take iconic
Times Square kiss picture at the end of Second World War sells for $150,000
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2332252/German-camera-used-iconicTimes-Square-kiss-picture-end-Second-World-War-sells-150-000.html

WD4eui. Newspapers Proclaiming the End of WWII

http://wd4eui.com/1945_Newspaper.html
Getty Images The Kiss By Alfred Esienstaedt
http://www.gettyimages.com/event/kiss-by-alfred-eisenstaedt-479192403?
#negative-image-of-his-iconic-vj-day-photo-visible-in-film-strip-of-pictureid53372723