June 1996
     Cape York Peninsula, one of Australia's last frontiers and home to several hundred endangered plant and animal species, is profiled in this issue's cover story. The face of the continent's northern stronghold of native culture is an Aboriginal teenager wearing a mask of mud while swimming in a waterhole.

     In this National Geographic cover photo, we see many visual elements intentionally made for the cover to speak for itself. To begin with, we notice the difference colors in the photo and how they symbolize something. The blue water may signify the cleanliness and peace. The boy's dark color, close to black represents mystery, fear, and power there might be in that area of Australia where not many people know a lot of. 

     I also like the fact that the man is emerging from the waters and his relection is in the water. It may represent a different side to these natives and their lifestyles and how people view them and how they really are. Lines and shapes are also prominent in this picture and the spacing is just perfect, making your eyes lead right into the main subject, which in this case is the teenage native. The fact that the mud in the kid's face similarly reflects the water he is emerging from makes it seem like he was trying to camouflage into the whole environment or hiding from something. 

    In conclusion, the emotion from the kid's face reveals to us the readers that there is something that is strongly affecting him. And it is exactly the essence of not knowing why the kid is feeling this way, that engages the reader to enjoy the picture, but also interest the reader to open the magazine and read the article itself.