Erin Mystkowski’s “A Photo I Love”

While looking at Erin Mystkowski’s A Photo I Love, the audio that was used in the piece was a mix of a voice over done by Erin Mystkowski describing the photo’s setting as well as the backstory to the two main subjects placed in the photo. Additionally, there is music “Boy Ain’t It Ever” by Hannalee/Marmoset playing in the background. The music has the use of guitar, an organ-sounding instrument and drums. This allowed it to create an inquisitive, slow pace that made the viewer analyze the image more. 

The photo helps tell the story because it provides a visual representation for the listeners. When Mystkowski describes the look of the subjects (Richard Loeb (left), 18, and Nathan Leopold Jr., 19) who are giving each other “something she’s never seen before”, it is true. The only way you are able to understand the look that the two criminals are giving is by seeing the photo itself. 

The photo is simple. A black an white image focused on two well dressed men facing each other in the midst of an out-of-focus crowd. Using the rule of thirds, the eyes of both subjects line up with the upper interactions, allowing the viewer’s eyes to go straight to both of their subjects.

Mystkowski provides a description of the image itself. However, she then proceeds to give us context to the image. By describing that these are two college students that are seeing each other for the first time after they had successfully killed a fourteen year old boy and given their separate confessions. Mystkowski narrates you though this image, which allows you to see things that you might have not ever noticed. 

I think that the story is successful in providing a compelling experience because it brings the photo to life. Without the description, it would be two men looking at each other. By providing a description, you begin to focus on their gaze, something too small and intimate, it would be lost otherwise. If Mystkowski were to do anything differently, I think she should have added more to the audio. I would have provided information about where Mystkowski found the photo, or background on the artist who took the photo. 

I think the audio to go along with the photos is a great idea and would be a good idea to add to my own assignment. I think that adding maybe a little description of the weather, sounds or decision of the subject would allow the image to come more to life.

The photo described is from “Gangsters & Grifters,” the Chicago Tribune’snew book, which Erin Mystkowski helped edit. See more from the book on the Tribune’s website, and more from the newspaper’s archives on Instagram: @vintagetribune.