Official Press Photographer for the President

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mw_uio

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Does the official press photographer for the President of the United States shoot film B&W, or is it strictly digital? Did the White House have its own dark room for developing film or did they send it out?

I am just curious to know, as I can not find any info on this.

thank you

MArk
Quito, EC
 
good question. I'd also be interested in finding the same info on Pope Benedict official photographer.

Pope Paul's (the deceased Pope) official photographer shot w/ Nikon F3 motorized in color film. Don't remember his name but he did some excellent work.
 
Yes. The White House usually has several official photographers. I don't imagine the film would be "sent out" because of the senistivity of the subject, so they must have had in-house facilities/darkroom, perhaps in the Old Executive Office Building.
 
I'd bet film, processed in house, and confiscated from the photographer at the end of each session.
If something embarassing or incriminating ends up in the camera, the negatives can disappear with no worries about them being found on a hard drive somewhere.
 
It's my understanding that these images become part of the Presidential Library. I also think the photographer is trusted to work very closely with the president and so would not be treated in a condescending manner, such as having film confiscated at the end of the day. Rather, he/she is part of the White House staff, probably the Communications staff working for the Press Secretary. I've worked around Pentagon official photographers, and they aren't under any especially heinous restrictions.

I'd also assume the desire for quick turnaround of images means they're probably doing mosty digital.
 
Recently Domke offered a special edition F5XB bag with the
White House News Photographers' Association Official Seal.

Chris
 
I think Franklin Delano Roosevelt's sort of official photographer was Sammy Schulman.

He wrote an interesting book (ghosted by Bob Considine) called "Where's Sammy?".

When he referred to his equipment (he shot everything from Contax and Ermanox to Speed Graphic, he called it "all the junk he has to carry around".
 
White House Press Photographer

White House Press Photographer

A good friend was in the Air Force in the 1960's. He was in the AF photo unit. and got assigned to LBJ as 1 of 2 who were more or less permanently detailed to the VP, later President. He was on THE PLANE, as I understand, after Kennedy was shot in Dallas.

They mostly shot Nikon F's with a variety of lenses. He was at the LBJ ranch a great deal, really on call 24/7, and he said it was HOT!

We sold off his old Nikon stuff a couple of years back, all in pretty good shape, F's w/prism and one with FTn finder, as I remember.

It was all pretty much b/w back then, I imagine a lot is now digital, but there must be some film in the mix somewhere. The facilities are no doubt a lot better now than back then.

The proof that the age of modern photojournalism and reality photography started and was refined in the 60's is that between 1953 and 54, three seminal occurrences took place:

1) Nikon F - first true system 35 SLR.

2) Tri-X (TX), world's most versatile film.

3) Leica M3 - bomb proof RF camera with great lenses.

All that in two short years!

Most of the Vietnam stills were show with one of those two cameras and TX, and the rock coverage was also done with them.

I own a camera store, and we have a few of the Domke White House F-5 bags in stock, about $70.

I use an F-5 to carry my Bessa R with flash and extra lens or an M3 and accessories.

I also have an F-3X which is great for a little more room.
 
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>>1) Nikon F - first true system 35 SLR.<<

F was introduced in 1959. The Nikon S2 rangefinder was introduced in '53-54, but it wasn't really until the SP in 1957 that Nikon had a "system camera". The F is an SP with a differerent viewfinder.
 
My guess is they order their digi-prints online and pick them up at Wal-Mart.

Bob
 
Look up David Hume Kennerley. He was a combat photographer in VietNam, then was the Presidential Photographer for Gerald Ford. Has published several books since. Shot with a Nikon F, and Leica. Nice guy, lot of stories in his memoirs. My Hero.

Robin
 
Eric Draper said:
As of today, we are up to 29,929 rolls of film. Of course, not every roll of film is shot to a full 36 exposures. But this is just to give you an idea
Click to expand...


Here he says film, although that interview was four years ago.
 
I would think that they have some access to the photographs they have made.
Look at David Hume Kennerley's website, who is one of the better know Presidential Photographers. He has several galleries dedicated to several Presidents, including Ford.
Brian
 
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