For your critique: Obama's official portrait

[aam1234]

Here is a link to the photo.

It was the first such photo taken with a digital camera (Canon 5DII).

Personally, I think the crop is a bit too tight. And if I were an American I would like to include more of the flag. But it's better than Biden's, though (a head-on shot).

What do you think.

Note: PLEASE no politics, let's keep it strictly photography-related. Thank you.

[cyclohexane]

I would have cropped it more. A little bit off the bottom and right; his pocket and sleeve are intruding awkwardly. Maybe a little on the top and sides to make up for what I took off the bottom and right hand side too.

Added in edit. I removed this image due to copyright infringment at another's request. You can click on the above link to see the image. Benji

[aam1234]

That's interesting, Michael.

For reference, here are other US presidents' portraits. My favorites are Nixon's and Ford's.

[dougsmit]

I'd say this falls in the 'not bad' area which is pretty good for a portrait by a photojournalist. The official portraits of the POTUS tend to be taken by their personal photographers who tend to be better at grabbing history as it flys by than setting up portraits. Are there people on this list who could do a better portrait? Certainly. Pete Souza worked at the White House under Michael Evans, Regan's photographer. He will do well in this new position. The question that remains to be seen is whether he rises to the level of David Kennerly under Ford which is the only administration that has a real family feel to the photo record. Some Presidents are uncomfortable around photographers, even their own, but Ford allowed Kennerly access almost like he was a member of the family doing a project for his school photo class. I think that is why aam1234 noted Ford's was a best shot. As I recall, the Nixon portrait was not by his personal photographer (Ollie Atkins) but possibly by Phillipe Halsman (working from memory - need confirmation here - anyone into the history of Presidential photographers?).

If I were to make a small change, I'd raise the flags a bit to eliminate the space between them at the top and slide them a little closer to bridge the gap. The question is whether we should arrange a flag to the point that it is obviously not a natural fall or just sit the things back there and make it look like that is all we did. I doubt this shot will be the official portrait for long. The shot to be on the watch for will be the family portrait which will have to wait for the arrival of the dog. Demand for a portrait of the kids and dog should be massive.

[Mr. Pickles]

Why are we linking to someone elses image and critiquing it or applying our own edits to it and posting them here?

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

I would have cropped it more. A little bit off the bottom and right; his pocket and sleeve are intruding awkwardly. Maybe a little on the top and sides to make up for what I took off the bottom and right hand side too.

I like your version a lot better than the original.

[Song4themoon]

I think it is a pretty bad picture considering that its the picture of the president. Whoever took it was probably a pro. The front on pose is not flattering, the empty space behind him doesnt make sense and then having the flag just peeking out to the left. Not good IMO.

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Song4themoon

I think it is a pretty bad picture considering that its the picture of the president. Whoever took it was probably a pro. The front on pose is not flattering, the empty space behind him doesnt make sense and then having the flag just peeking out to the left. Not good IMO.

I have to agree. Not a fan of this front-on posing.

[12stones]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Why are we linking to someone elses image and critiquing it or applying our own edits to it and posting them here?

I don't think we need to be editing them and posting them here, but I feel it's no problem to be linking to it and critiquing it.

And I agree that it's not a great portrait like Song said.

[swampler]

Originally Posted by 12stones

I don't think we need to be editing them and posting them here, but I feel it's no problem to be linking to it and critiquing it.

I agree. The edit and re-post would clearly be copyright infringement and should be taken down. I don't see an issue linking to it and discussing it.