The photograph that I have chosen is “Children Near Ground Zero,” which is part of Eugene Richard’s Stepping Through the Ashes series. The photograph shows 2 young girls covering their mouths with what appear to be handkerchiefs to prevent themselves from breathing in the dust and noxious fumes near Ground Zero. This photo was taken near Ground Zero, the area surrounding the Twin Towers after the 9/11 attack took place. The photo has the two girls toward the bottom-right corner of the photograph, possibly to try and give a sense of the scale of the event and how hopeless the two subjects must feel.
Children Near Ground Zero uses leading lines, diagonals, and figure to ground to make a powerful photo. Taking the photo at an angle, Richards was able to create a dynamic photo, being able to capture both the girls and the dusty plume that they are walking away from. Richards also used leading lines to lead the viewer’s attention from the two girls toward the opposite end of the street, which seems dusty and barren. finally, he used figure to ground to capture the scale of the situation, where a catastrophic event hit New York and no one was spared from the destruction. All these aspects together create a sense of hopelessness and devastation.
https://eugenerichards.com/stepping-through-the-ashes/ddrah2qr9ubjbd8oxz4zxdycgmlndz
As you correctly point out the contrast of scale in this photo make the girls look small and helpless and the place look overwhelming and impersonal. this is also as you point out a great example of using a leading line, that of the light, to point to the main subject, the two girls.