Joe Rosenthal
The most memorable photograph from World War II was taken by Joe Rosenthal. The image is of five Marines and one Navy corpsman raising the flag at Iwo Jima on top of Mount Suribachi.
The photograph is been called a genius, a fraud, a hero, and a phony, and Rosenthal has had to defend his Pulitzer Prize winning photograph during his whole life. Some people believe that his photograph is so perfect that it has to be staged, while others believe that this photograph is the greatest photograph of all time.
The photograph has served as the symbol for the Seventh War Loan Drive, and is the most widely reproduced photograph of all time. The photograph has is been displayed on stamps, and the cover of many newspapers and magazines.
While some people believe Rosenthal’s photograph is genius, it was not the actual first flag that rose. After Rosenthal was informed of this memorable moment of the American flag being raised, he quickly hurried to the spot but was too late. The first flag was already raised, but a larger replacement was decided to be put in its place.
This is where some people find controversy over the photograph, because Rosenthal did not actual take the first photograph of the flag being raised. Photographer Sgt. Lou Lowery was there to witness the first raising, but Rosenthal did not make it in time. This caused some sour tastes in a few critics mouth because this famous symbol was not the original raising.
Personally I find the photograph very inspiring, but all the controversy surrounding the photograph makes me question it.
Even though controversy surrounds the defining moment, the photograph will forever be a symbol of the valor and sacrifices of the United States Marines.
Art and Photography IUB 
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