The Making Of A Legend:
How Textual Elements Demonstrates Legendary Characteristics

Some people are born to be legends.  However, it seems that just being good at something does not mean that a legendary status will be achieved.  The images are all about people who are known to be better than others, but not just for their athletic ability, but also for their ability to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.  To become larger than a regular man, certain characteristics have to shine brighter.  These characteristics are found within the top legends of basketball and are demonstrated through the images and art by the use of textual elements and the subjects’ emotions.   The first image shows the inspiration one player can create, effecting the entire game around him, shown by the contrast between the action of the player and the inaction of the rest of the team.  The second image reveals the determination that a player needs to have to get back into the game.  This image shows the star player of the game, hurt and isolated as the rest of the game moves forward, however the pain and determination is shown through the body position and his facial expression.  The third image shows that hard work pays off, and this is done by winning championships.  The photographer demonstrated this success by dividing the image in half symmetrically, showing a trophy on each side of the player, exaggerating his success and highlighting his perseverance to become a champion. Finally, the last image is one of the bronze statue outside the United Center, of Michael Jordan.  This permanent status demonstrates to the public that Jordan’s skills will forever be immortalized and that he will remain a legend in his legendary pose. Therefore, the use of textual elements highlights the characteristics an athlete needs to separate themselves from the rest to become a legend.
To begin, this picture of Kobe Bryant, as he is plays against the New Jersey Nets in 2002, demonstrates inspiration. Kobe uses his athleticism to show off a highlight reel dunk during the game.  This image is a demonstration of the characteristics that make a man into a legend.  This picture demonstrates inspiration, for not only the fans to follow but also his fellow teammates.  The image illustrates this inspiration because of the unique camera lens used that captures the whole gym and offers a high angled view, but also the way the picture is laid out. The subject, Bryant, is the only one in the picture showing action as he dunks the ball. This is a hard dunk to do, but he is making it look easy, which is emphasized by his facial expression being one of joy and excitement, rather than exhaustion. However, the biggest contrast and aspect that illustrates his inspiring athleticism is that while he is in action, every other player in the background is just watching and thinking how amazing he is at basketball.  Every player is still with their eyes fixed on the impressive dunk he makes, causing those people to look as though they are not moving much, which is contrasted by the amount of action shown by Bryant.  Thus, the people are so inspired by Bryant’s skill that they stop playing the game and only watch in wonder as Bryant becomes a legendary player.

Secondly, this picture of Lebron James, as he suffered an injury during his game against the New Orleans Hornets, demonstrates determination to overcome setbacks and obstacles in order to become a legend.  Strength and skill are not the only characteristics needed to make a legend, but the ability to stay determined to achieve success is what separates the players from the heroes of the game. Missing one game was hard for James’ team, but missing multiple games has his other teammates worried, knowing that they have to step it up for the upcoming games since their star player will not be able to play.   James played after only missing one game, against the advice of his trainers, but the season was too important and the team became his priority.  He played through pain and risked further injury, but his determination to win helped him overcome it all.  This image illustrates this determination through the isolation of James and the angle of the camera.  James is center focus and his expression of pain is clearly shown on his face, however the game continues and blurs out in the background, suggesting that no matter who a person is, the play will continue and he is left alone to deal with his injury.  This close up of James on the level of the floor, highlights that determination is a solo effort and can only be achieved if that one person is strong enough to get up and play. Therefore, determination can only be achieved if that one person is strong enough to strive for it and overcome their obstacles.
Third, this picture of Shaquille O’Neal after he won his 2nd championship with the Los Angeles Angels in 2003, shows how hard work will pay off if a player perseveres.  Success to become a legend is demonstrated through hard work and perseverance. O’Neal had to persevere through multiple teams, multiple injuries, multiple set backs, but it all came down to success and winning multiple championships.  The image demonstrates this success since O’Neal is central in the photo with identical trophies held high on either side.  The cropping of the image wants the viewer to look directly at his facial expression and the amount of joy he shows, as well as the size and stature of the trophies themselves.  The image also shows that O’Neal is alone, without his teammates, which means that the trophies are given to him only, for his own skills and perseverance to be the best.  The image is balanced symmetrically, with identical trophies on each side, which makes the achievements look very impressive and that Neal is very skilled and important.  Therefore, perseverance can lead to success and the more success a person gets, the bigger a legend they will become.
Lastly, all three characteristics of a legend are demonstrated in the bronze statue outside the United Center in Chicago, IL of the Chicago Bulls legendary player, Michael Jordan. Becoming a permanent statue outside of a building shows that Michael Jordan is a legend at what he does. Becoming the permanent face of the game shows that he is the ultimate inspiration for the game, a man who demonstrated determination to succeed and persevered through hardships to achieve his goals. To become a legend a player needs to achieve all three of these qualities, and Michael Jordan has done just that.  Not only has he achieved these qualities and this position in the sport, but he has also created an iconic pose that will forever be associated with his name. This pose came from a moment where everyone thought Jordan was not going to make this dunk, but then when he it made it, everyone in the basketball world realized that he is the best and no one could play the game as good as he can.  This pose, plastered all over athletic wear, signs, building and sport books, is a symbol of what a person can do once they achieve greatness, and that becoming a legend can be achieved and forever immortalized.  A bronze statue is a large and permanent item.  The pose is one that reminds people of the amazing game when the most impossible dunk was made, creating a legendary moment to stay forever in people’s minds.  Thus, once all characteristics are achieved, and the person reaches the status of a legend, that title can never be removed and the stories of great games and amazing moments will never be forgotten.

Ultimately, a legend never dies.  Athletes all strive to be the best, but there are only a few that can reach the level of being a legend.  The images capture the characteristics that make up a legend are emphasized by the textual elements that make up each picture.  The first image uses contrast of action and inaction in combination of emotion to demonstrate inspiration.  The second image highlights the amount of determination a player needs to have to overcome setbacks and get back in the game, which is shown through the facial expression of the subject and the low angle emphasizing the solo and isolation a player finds when injured.  The third image shows through the symmetrical trophies and close up of the player’s emotion that perseverance can lead to success.  Lastly, the fourth image shows that once all three characteristics are followed and achieved, legendary status will become permanent and the player will be forever remembered as being great.  Therefore, the use of textual elements highlights the characteristics an athlete needs to separate themselves from the rest to become a legend.