Tiffany Munoz
UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER, "Teenage Girl Waiting for Train"
1960
Alone, Ellen Schmitz who was only 16 years old awaits a train at the Union Station in Chicago Illinois. Where she is headed I wonder, this image can tell a thousand stories. The only information provided was the background story of the Pennsylvania Railroad where many passengers have been left stranded in different cities and in this case, Chicago. From my observation, Ellen is dressed for an occasion and sitting on a small suitcase waiting for the next train to arrive to take her to her destination. This photo called my attention and made me curious as to why she is traveling alone with a single suitcase. Could she be running away? No other train passengers are revealed in this photo, let alone a train to aboard or exit. No emotion is expressed in her face except her body is slumped as if she were bored or merely discontent. I am affected by this picture considering the thought of being stranded in an unfamiliar city, I feel deserted as she is surrounded by emptiness. A never ending silence seems to fill this captured moment.
