The title of this image is “Keeping the Peace” and what makes this piece significant is the setting, perspective, and scale. The photo depicts a policeman with his K9 unit standing on guard of the football band that is marching behind them to diffuse any threats or violence that could arise. The setting is also significant because in Alabama in the 1960s, where this photo was taken, the civil rights movement was happening alongside of radical southerners that supported Jim Crowe laws. Therefore, police needed to stand by incase chaos arose. The scale and perspective are very significant because the entire photo seems as if it were taken from a lower position looking up, and the white police officer is pictured in the foreground larger than the African Americans behind him, potentially symbolizing a difference in power. However, the photographer captured the policeman and K9 at the perfect moment because they are looking in opposite directions, observing for any action, which gives the photo a dramatic effect.
Horace Cort, American, 1913 – 1988. Keeping the Peace: a policeman and his trained dog stand guard as a band marches by at Montgomery, Alabama, Negro college football game yesterday. Fans were unmolested despite pre-game threats of violence. Associated Press Wire Photo. 1960s. Artstor, library.artstor.org/asset/28671397