Module 5: Artwork Analysis

 Module 5: Artwork Analysis

                   Neil Leifer, Muhammad Ali Vs. Sonny Liston, May 25th 1965, https://time.com/4357436/muhammad-ali-dead-sonny-liston-fight-photo/        

This photograph was taken by Neil Leifer in Lewiston, Maine on May 25th. This was the day a 23-year-old Muhammad Ali knocked out Sonny Liston just 1 minute and 44 seconds into the first round. Leifer credits this photo to being in the right place at the right time, this is absolutely the case and it is also the reason I really like photographs. Photographs give people of all abilities the opportunity to document influential moments and keep them forever. In this moment Leifer was able to capture Ali radiating the strength and poetic boldness that made him the nation's beloved and reviled athlete at a time in the 60's when sports were being objectively battered. 

This photo was taken just as Ali said to Liston "Get up and fight, sucker" the determination to completely annihilate his opponent is captured in his facial expression as well as in his posture. The overhead lighting shines on Ali like he is the hero, which he was and still is for many people, the way it is brighter around his head than anywhere else in the photograph gives it an ethereal feeling and makes him seem superhuman. Ali is photographed wearing white shorts, although this was not a choice necessarily made for the photograph it adds to the sense that he is the godlike figure in this photograph; this idea is further enhanced by Liston, his opponent, wearing black shorts. It is almost unbelievable that this photo was taken by chance, it looks like it was set-up as advertisement for Ali or even a set-up still from a movie. 

The crowd captured in the background helps add importance to the moment. The background is covered in engaged and shocked faces and ring side photographers are captured rushing to get their shot of this historic moment. This makes people viewing this photo for the first time not knowing how soon into the fight this photograph was taken understand that Ali had done something unbelievable. Apart from the spectators the background is fairly bland and colourless which allows the two boxers to be the main focus of the photograph which again adds to the power they both emanate. 

Works cited: 

Jim Phoenix Jim Phoenix Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow. “Top 100 Of The Most Influential Photos Of All Time.” Bored Panda, January 1, 1966. https://www.boredpanda.com/top-100-world-photos-influential-all-time/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic.