French Photojournalist Gerald Holubowicz Captured Obama And America (VIDEO)

Zoom In Online (ZIO), in partnership with Adobe, presents a new hi def video series, Viewfinders. This episode features French photographer Gerald Holubowicz and his unique experience on the trail of presidential hopefuls. This Friday, March 6, tune in to see Holubowicz defend his portfolio before a panel of senior photo editors in the Viewfinders challenge.

When French photojournalist Gerald Holubowicz set out to pursue his dream of covering an American presidential election, he was drawn to the experience on both an intellectual and emotional level. Holubowicz was immediately struck by supporters' emotional response to then-candidate Obama. Covering the campaign from its humble beginnings to election night in Harlem to a chilly January day in Washington, D.C. when Obama was sworn in as president, Holubowicz was struck by distinct differences between French and American politics. "The real difference comes from the population itself, how the candidate and the message are received. I saw people crying, overwhelmed by their emotions. I often felt a quasi-religious atmosphere during the speeches. It was quite a theatrical ambience, where you could feel a very strong patriotic sentiment. I think we French people are less focused on the show part of the politics and too much on the intellectual aspect. "

Visit ZIO to see more of Viewfinders, this month focusing on photojournalism in the 2008 election season. Along with Gerald, we feature photojournalists Keith Bedford, Yana Paskova, Katie Orlinsky, and Jennifer Altman. They show a diverse portrait of the political scene of the past six months, and offer intimate moments of Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rudolph Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Hilary Clinton, John McCain, John Edwards and of course many photographs of President Barack Obama and the Obama family. A portfolio challenge finale airs March 6th in which the photographers compete to defend their images taken at Obama's inauguration. Tune in to ZIO's online video network to see Holubowicz compete to defend his portfolio. This episode includes Holubowicz's own video footage from the historic inauguration day.

ZIO is now accepting submissions that show how the current political and economic climate is affecting you and your community. Get involved in the Viewfinders series and submit your own photo for publication.

Read more about the International Rescue Committee.

Comments

[Aanarav Sareen]

Thank you for posting this episode. To learn more about Viewfinders, please visit www.zoom-in.com/viewfinders

To see who wins the photography challenge, please check out tomorrow's episode!

Thanks,
Aanarav
Zoom In Online

[GretaR]

Nice work, Monsier Holubowicz. A comment:

"The real difference comes from the population itself, how the candidate and the message are received. I saw people crying, overwhelmed by their emotions. I often felt a quasi-religious atmosphere during the speeches.... I think we French people are less focused on the show part of the politics and too much on the intellectual aspect. "

Actually, it is more that we Americans haven't had an intellectual aspect in the White House in 8 years. What you witnessed was atypical -- unique to THIS president. I think that people see in Barack Obama (no matter his role) an admired intelligence and a refreshing moral fortitude (propelled by great compassion) *.

It might even be less that people see those qualities in him, but more that they NEED to see that in him. Much like God and heaven -- it isn't logical but people need it to be true, to get them through their lives.

-----

* P.S. -- I take great offense when President Obama, or any American, declares it a goal that the USA be "the greatest nation on earth". That seems so arrogant and destructively competitive. Why not simply a mission statement of being a great nation -- a nation with strength of character in its people, its leaders, and its policies.

[CalverH]

I agree with both parts of your comments ... And this notion that we are the best, better than anyone else and cannot learn from anyone sounds arrogant indeed

[Bruupo]

It's a Cold War relic.

I think we refuse to give it up out of habit, because there was a time it had value beyond mere jingo, because there was a time that the "competition", on all fronts, had a realpolitik impact. But today it is merely one of the flag pins of our national rhetoric, meant to illustrate the lack of "faith" in America of any politician not willing to sign on.

But it's not like we're going to get into that kind of Cold War competition with China or the EU in this day an age, or at least we sure shouldn't seek that out. So, even for those who feel the US still needs to be a beacon for the world, and would sell this notion for its realpolitik value, I would argue that it seems to run counter to our current most dire stated geopolitical goal- isolating extremism within the Muslim world. So, even if we're cynical about it, we'd be better off selling the idea of the US as one of many, modern, civilized, democratic, socially liberal nations standing shoulder to shoulder with other, like they were in some kind of...league..or something.

Cold War is gone...but it seems like there is still one outstanding issue holding up that whole "league" notion the last couple decades...can't remember what it is for the life of me.

[212RLamas]

maybe stating it outright can be a too much but the truth of the matter is that this nation, somehow or the other, is the only place on earth where this sort of thing can happen...

it is why people risk their lives daily to make a go for the usa... they even leave other great places on the earth like europe and australia in droves to come here, when i actually think their form of social democracy a little better and definitely more compassionate than our own...

[lisalovesamelie]

I love the way the French view politics too. The students marching in the tens of thousands in protest is a regular occurrence. The government is afraid of the people, not the people afraid of the government, as it should be. It's an interesting country.

[GretaR]

Yes, I have noticed that too. You see Europeans, in general, protesting in great numbers against their government and corporations. While you see protests here to get government's attention, how often do you see workers come together to protest the policies of their companies. And, I am not referring to union organizing. I don't think that the labor protests in Europe are necessarily union organized. (Although, I might be ill-informed.)

[CalverH]

Most often, there are associations of unions and associations of "employers" and they come together with the government to discuss labor issues ...

[MeloMelo66]

yeah, but here in France u don't have the sense that the government is really accountable to the people. People become politicians becuase of who they know etc, not necessarily on the basis of their merit. That may be the reason that u get the impression that the gov is afraid of the people-- because they know that they have not really earned their positions and so feel inclined to throw a feel scraps of cake no and again.

People have to protest, because the gov is insular and doesn't represent people or reflect their everyday concerns....Primarily because the officials are rich and have no connection to the lower and middle class... that's my impression as a foreigner living here in France...

[CalverH]

I beg to differ... You have elections at all levels in France as well as in the US and you have political familly dynasties in both cases. If it was just because of who the know, the French politicians should not be "afraid" of the population because not matter what, they could stay as long as they want. Which is not the case. For instance, Karl Rove not showing up for courts will not happen in France!

The US population seems to be far remove from the political process. They don't protest for thinggs that will affect their everyday life like the vote raising the minimum wage for instance. But they complain they are poor and cannot make ends meet ...

That is my impression as a foreigner who spent 6 years in France and 4 years in the US ...

[skialethia]

When I see Obama kissing up to Aipacwhile children were being fried inphosphorous in Gaza and medical supplies were in short supply becauseIsrael was blocking the borders, and now he continues to coddle the criminals while the border blockade persists, I must believe that he is a gimmick created by Rahm Emanuel. My respect for him has been severely diminished.