A Thousand Words, And Then Some

[amateriat]

This piece in the New York Times got me thinking about photography and politics.

Whether I voted for a particular President or not doesn't entirely matter: the visual record always intrigues me, and sometimes surprises me. A few of these photos of President Bush have been seen over and over, but a few caught me off-guard, as did some of the discussions over the images, and why they were chosen here.

Technology has, of course, increased the degree and ease of scrutiny of the famous and infamous, practically to the point of banality, which can cheapen and reduce photography's power (such as it ever had). But sometimes a particular image can punch through the digital noise and make someone sit up and take notice, at least if they care just a bit.


- Barrett

 

[Keith]

Really interesting ... thanks for the link!

 

[bmattock]

Both President Bush and President Obama understood the power of photography. President Obama can be clearly said to have used it more to his advantage than his opponents in the recent election.

Referring to your NYT article, I suspect President Obama is not going to allow the media to decide what images to take, what images to publicize, or discuss how 'stupid' the photos make him look - he doesn't want to be "George W. Bushed" by the media's hit jobs like the one you just linked to.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ieyVS1CAUqhtdJiW1LrJFaz2j4uAD95RVU5O1

So ends transparency, eh?

Well, you went there. Sorry, I decided if one can play, two can play.

 

[35mmdelux]

Every now and then there is a truly compelling photograph that rises above the noise; the right place, the right moment. To me, except for the celebrity, the photographs in the article are fairly ordinary in my humble opinion.

Access does not make for a great photograph, but it helps.

Thanks for the link.

 

[amateriat]

Bill: Fair enough.

Everyone on the political playing field plays for maximum advantage, and we're both sharp enough to see that. Also, when dealing with the media in general, it's sometimes a bit difficult to tell they players from who's being played (I'm thinking of Governor Rod Blagojevich, who happens to be a Democrat). A tricky game this is.


- Barrett

 

[35mmdelux]

Both President Bush and President Obama understood the power of photography. President Obama can be clearly said to have used it more to his advantage than his opponents in the recent election.

Well, this isnt say much. Abraham Lincoln understood the power of the photograph 150 years ago. We tend to give political leaders way too much credit, until we realize they are mere mortals or something invariably backfires.

 

[bmattock]

Bill: Fair enough.

Everyone on the political playing field plays for maximum advantage, and we're both sharp enough to see that. Also, when dealing with the media in general, it's sometimes a bit difficult to tell they players from who's being played (I'm thinking of Governor Rod Blagojevich, who happens to be a Democrat). A tricky game this is.

- Barrett

I have withdrawn from a number of discussion forums where I previously enjoyed taking part. One was ultra-right - I could no longer abide the continuous lies about Barack "Hussein" Obama. Another was ultra-left, and I could no longer stand the daily bashing of Sarah Palin. I returned to RFF after some time away, thinking a respite from politics might be nice.

http://www.wigwamjones.com/factcheck_for_the_fatheads

Not directing the following at you, Barrett, just a general mini-rant:

<rant>
The bashing, it appears, isn't over. I would love to just ignore the occasional outburst, but the 'rubbing our noses in it' apparently just pushes my buttons wrong. I nearly threw my television out the bloody window the other night when I saw the coverage of the inauguration - an incredible event, and one I was excited about - but all they wanted to do was keep panning crowd shots of the guy holding up the "Bush, get the hell out now!" placard. OK, I GET IT. CAN WE STOP NOW?
</rant>

 

[antiquark]

The bashing, it appears, isn't over. I would love to just ignore the occasional outburst, but the 'rubbing our noses in it' apparently just pushes my buttons wrong.

I recall that there was a vast amount of gloating and rubbing of noses four years ago. Sadly, regardless of which political party wins, human nature will remain the same.

 

[amateriat]

Bill: Understood. 🙂


- Barrett