Is there any hope for the future?

After the devastation that occurred from the Gulf Oil Spill in 2011, many people were left frustrated and upset. One of these victims was Arthur Etienne Jr. To fully show how this disaster affected the world, photographer Bryan Thomas spent time with Etienne to see the lasting impact that the spill has left. It has been two years since the tragedy and communities are still dealing with the consequences. The photograph taken by Thomas of Etienne, an oysterman, conveys the feeling of despair and tragedy that is still affecting communities today.

            In the photograph, the man has his back turned hiding his face and any other attributes that could tell us who he is. Although the picture does not show his face, you can tell that his face and body is tilted downwards showing sadness or a sense of giving up. This body language gives proof that the spill is now affecting people, like the oysterman, today. The man in the photograph also has his arms and hands stretched all the way out to two separate poles to the left and right of him. Its looks as if the man is holding on to the poles for support as his body shows exhaustive qualities. He is doing this as he looks out into the water in Louisiana to the damage and devastation that the oil spill caused. The way that the man is positioned in the photograph suggests that he is giving up and surrendering to this oil spill. He understands that there are some things that can’t ever go back to normal even after a long period of time. The water that used to employ him and help him put food on the table is now failing him as the oysters that he used to catch are becoming fewer and fewer. Instead of looking lovingly and excitingly at the water, which he did when his business was successful, he looks on to it as if there is no hope.