When I first saw this image, I wasn't positive if I understood the subject matter. Reading the caption affirmed my idea that this man was being strapped into an electric chair to be put to death. I doubted that this was the subject matter because I have never seen an actual photograph of somebody who was sentenced to death but rather fictional, hollywood style depictions of the death sentence. This photo is haunting and disturbing once the viewer actually lets what is happening in this photo sink in. Vander Weyde has captured the last few moments of this man's life. To think that only moments after this photo was taken this man was put to death in a horrible, inhumane way is completely burdensome. Also, the hopeless expression on the prisoner is haunting. On the technical side of the photo, I think it is very interesting that the prisoner is wearing white whereas the men strapping him into the chair are wearing all black. The white of the prisoner's clothes reminded me of angels and the black of the prison workers reminded me of the black cloak of Death. Overall, I think this photo is more successful because of the subject matter and moment captured rather than the technical aspects.
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