Reading The Pictures: The "44" Official Portrait

Ready for a change of view?

As someone who toils day-in and day-out in the service of national political imagery, and who well recognizes that the President of the United States is typically the central object in the visual field, the significance of the coming week cannot, should I say, be "misunderestimated." Besides his enmity, his adolescence and his lack of curiosity, what has made it almost intolerable looking at George Bush, especially as the years ticked (or, burned) away, has been his utter lack of complexity.

Above is the "new official portrait" released Wednesday by the President-elect's office, taken by White House photographer-elect, Pete Souza.

What a massive relief, as well as an exciting challenge it will be to apply ourselves to teasing out the Obama picture as the new president embarks on and moves through his odyssey. It's a relief because of how much psychologically healthier, and therefore multi-faceted and multi-dimensional Obama is than 43. And, as a perfect example, we need only examine this portrait.

What is indicative of Obama, and his depth, is how many looks he shows in this introduction. Is he open? Is he circumspect? Is he playful? Is he reserved? Is he relaxed? Is he intense? Is he focused? Is he humble? Is he proud? Is he pleased? Is he cagey? Is he wry? These are all good questions, especially to the extent that few of them could be answered simply, and without challenging other aspects of Obama's personality.

I'm curious how you react to this picture, now and going forward, as we strive to see Obama in the fullest dimension.

For more visual politics, visit BAGnewsNotes.com (and BAGnewsNotes @Twitter).

Comments

[ChristopherAtom]

"Say, government cheese!"
I couldn't resist. Anywho, he's way better looking that the last fella.

[GoodNews]

To me, he looks like: I'm friendly, but don't cross me"!

[DogLeg]

The emphasis is on subtle, and not so subtle, shades of blue. The reason it looks amateurish, or hurried is the lack of depth of field and why this was accepted I cannot venture to guess.

Overall, IMHO, the President-elect appears approachable without commitment. In this, or any age, a good position. He seems vulnerable from lack of sleep.

He looks light years ahead of the monkey no one would impeach. And for that lack of will and needless Machiavellian position I will never forgive my generation.

[keene]

I don't like the background-too much washed out/white-looks like it was taken hurriedly, or like a bad high school picture. But oh yeah, he's a real person. Can see that in his eyes and face.

[Marlyn]

I've been looking at this portrait for several hours now, trying to comprehend the reality of Barack Obama.

[amp27]

the creamy grey background speaks of dreariness and mundanity, not very inspiring. He has a shadow on his upper lip. his eyes are NOT looking straight at the camera. he seems to have a mona lisa quality where you can't decipher his emotion. he seems a little worn down but resloute.

mostly, i wish there had been a better background color

[Marlyn]

It is Barack Obama's official portrait and you critique the background color?

[SiberianRat]

Yeah, I hear ya--maybe something a little warmer. That said, I think it's a nice photo. It'll be such a relief to walk into embassies and not have giant pics of Bush, Cheney, and Rice--they never cease to startle and make me a bit queasy.

[lobear00]

looks can be decieving, and nothing is ever what it appears to be.

[zanzig]

Had a client who came in to see me last week wearing a t-shirt with a pic of PEOTUS on it; you know the one that makes him look like Che Guevara without the beret? He's coming in again today so I'll ask his opinion. When I tell you that we are in Perth, Western Australia (the most remote capital city in the world) and my client is a young African refugee you can understand the broad appeal we're talking here. On a personal level, I think this pic radiates confidence and assuredness and is a really good one for Americans to look to. Frankly, the world needs him after Bush.

[Billie]

I think the photo looks like an amateur took it. It's disappointing.

[Marlyn]

Shallow.

[MissKaren]

A good looking, healthy man at the top of his powers soberly looking ahead but not scared of what he's taking on.

[mikemedeiros]

Much like the portrait of JFK being in homes 2 generations ago this one is sure to be framed as well. Personally I already have his 2nd Rolling Stone cover framed and displayed.

[krd1598]

Do you pray to him too?

[vucubcaquix]

We pray FOR him.

I know I do.

[vucubcaquix]

We pray f.o.r. him.

I know I do.

[mick7191]

Just watch him go, Bozo. He won't start a war just to show up the Old Man. He will reinstitute habeas. He will make sure that the tax burden is shared, not skewed. He will make sure that everyone has affordable preventative health care. This guy is the real deal. You will see TRUE compassion in this man. And he ain't afraid of nothin'. That's what I see in this portrait.

[bebopman21]

Not his best picture, but probably the best official portrait I've seen of a president in a long time, maybe in my lifetime.

[Marlyn]

"Not his best picture"

That was my first impression too. But how like Barack, to not glamorize himself.

[IllinoisTexan43]

I'm going to make a trip to east Texas in a couple of weeks. If anyone is familiar with that area, would they be willing to make a wager that his picture will NOT be put up in the post offices in Terrell, Kilgore, Gilmer or Lufkin, to name a few. I can't imagine the head spinning that will occur when they have to display his portrait in the reddest of the red states. ;-)

[hortonhearsawho2]

Found in the Finest Homes in America...

[IndyReader]

So it's not the "Chill out, I've got this" Mr. Cool picture, but I can't imagine anyone stepping into a federal office, seeing this photo, and not realizing that our country is in good hands.

[TACOTACO]

Where do you come up with this stuff? You are a snake oil salesman. All of your posts are INSANE, especially your post from a few weeks ago about the Obama time cover, where you invented a peace sign out of a windmill.

The Obama portrait is obviously him trying not to look somber yet presidential. He did a good job!