'I could write an entire essay about why I love this photo of Hillary'

[bigtree]

I published this photo of Hillary Clinton and the response was overwhelming
By Melissa McEwan | October 3, 2016

I published this photo of Hillary Clinton taken by Barbara Kinney, along with a few quickly composed thoughts on what the photo meant to me. I have gotten an unusual outpouring of responses from people who see exactly what I do — and are similarly moved by it.





My original piece on this photo read:

I could write an entire essay about why I love this photo. This very candid photo of a woman doing her job in an unspecial room, surrounded by scattered water bottles and the cords to various electronic devices and notices crudely taped to a wall.

This photo of an A student, immersed in her studies.

This photo of one of the most recognizable and admired women on the planet, sitting on a folding chair all on her own, in what has probably become a rare moment of quiet, so she can prepare to lead the free world.

This photo of a woman whose country has often been unfathomably cruel to her, doing her homework so that she can be prepared to be its leader, because she loves this country even when it doesn’t love her back, while its flag pokes into the frame from the corner, a symbol of the history, culture, industry, future of a great and struggling nation, stoically petitioning her from its perch above a dirty carpet in a small room.

This photo of diligent preparedness, demolishing ideas about voracious ego and ruthless ambition beneath a crumbling edifice of misogynist narratives about power-seeking women.

This photo of women’s work.

This photo of Hillary.

Since it was published, this piece has remained the most highly trafficked at my personal site. Friends have alerted me they have seen it republished in full (with attribution) on social media. I have gotten a number of emails from strangers about it, telling me how much it resonated with them, including a missive from a Clinton volunteer who told me it was one of the most inspiring things he had read this election...

It occurred to me that there is not just a dearth of stories about Clinton supporters; there is also a dearth of stories about Clinton herself, the way her supporters see her.

There is a frustrating abundance of stories casting Clinton as any one of the myriad caricatures of her that have been drawn over decades, but precious few that are written with an eye to look at her, the human being behind the exaggerations, mischaracterizations, and outright lies...


read more: http://linkis.com/shareblue.com/FuG1v

[treestar]

1. "caricatures" is right

just like the ones they make about President Obama. The M$M is useless.

[gratuitous]

28. Just wait six months

There will be reams of copy flowing out of the popular media about how much they liked Obama all along, but they just couldn't say it in real time because . . . well, it definitely won't be because their racist readers and viewers would have come unglued, so stop saying that. But now that Obama has safely passed into post-presidency, all the little grace notes, thoughtful gestures, personal touches and other evidence of his humanity will finally be aired.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

34. So true...and sad.

I think you nailed it...and it's just tragic, what idiots are out there.
I hate to think what they'll do to Hilary.

[ailsagirl]

43. But Hillary is strong-- and realistic

She wouldn't have lasted in public service all these years had she not been.

And I don't think she has any illusions about the challenges of being the first woman President of the United States-- she knows it won't be an easy road.

But she will prevail.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

47. Truth.

Very true.

[handmade34]

2. ...

"...preparing to be its leader, because she loves this country even when it doesn’t love her back..."

[brer cat]

4. That jumped out at me, too.

Very true statement.

[C_U_L8R]

3. She does the hard work.

To me, that is all the difference in the world right there

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Hillary is OK with a folding chair because the work is important.

Donald J tRump doesn't work and wouldn't sit in such an ordinary chair, a chair used by the common people.

[Renew Deal]

6. I see Barbara Kinney is too cool to use color photography

This is not the 30's. We have color photos. It's OK.

[bigtree]

9. funny

barbarakinney
Presidential giggles with @hillaryclinton and @barackobama

...she shoots in color, as well

[athena]

13. Color photography works here because

there are very few colors: bright blue, with complementary yellow-orange in the background. Everything else is black, off-white, or beige. If there were too many other colors, the photograph wouldn't work as well as it does.

[bigtree]

16. you can see in her instagram collection

...that she's seeing the same things you are - simplifying the amount of colors in her shots, and coordinating them, as well, at times.

I couldn't have put your explanation for b/w photos any better. The 'message' is enhanced when the colors aren't allowed to distract from the subject.

...one of my faves:

[Skittles]

33. love that picture

Hillary is a very reserved person so when she lights up, well, it's cool

[BlancheSplanchnik]

36. Good one too.

Thanks for posting it!

[athena]

12. Colors can sometimes detract from the message.

The colors add a lot of information. When you want to simplify a message, you reduce the information to the essentials. This is why, in fact, drawings and paintings look so much better to us than photographs, when they're competently done.

[lunatica]

17. Photography is also an artform

Just like film is. The photographer gets to decide how to use his/her medium for effect.

You sound a bit bitter that someone would dare to opt for a black and white photo of a very simple visual message.

Everyone's a critic.

[GReedDiamond]

44. Yeah, whether you like or not the subject matter, this photo is...

...very technically/beautifully done.

I would call it "art."

[sammythecat]

23. I think she knows what she's doing,

and how to do it.

I like the photo as it is... a lot. Color, here, would just add distraction and wouldn't work near as well.

[Maru Kitteh]

25. B&W often requires greater skill, in my opinion. Why disparage the artist?

And as others have pointed out, color can make a mess and jumble of things where simplicity is preferred.

[uponit7771]

32. It does, even the shading is harder to get a good picture of

[awoke_in_2003]

39. B&W is much more difficult

Last edited Tue Oct 4, 2016, 10:06 PM - Edit history (1)

Color can help mask poor framing.

On edit: the word I was looking for was "composition" not "framing".

[uponit7771]

31. Really!?!??

[lupinella]

45. Yes; yes we do have colour photography

However as others have said, photography is an art form.
You probably wouldn't expect all painters to work with oils if they believe watercolours express their vision more clearly. Or sculptors to work only with welded steel if wood complements the subject better.
One of the beautiful things about this photo is the sparseness of the surroundings mirroring the folding chair & the papers in her hand. It reflects who she really is, and the photographer's use of black & white echoes that theme.

[tclambert]

7. But, but her chair isn't covered with fake gold!

I'm sure if Donald is elected, he will re-decorate the throne room, I mean Oval Office, with lots of fake gold and ludicrously ornate furniture, plus a few grandiose more-than-lifesize portraits of himself, probably donated by a charitable (?) foundation.

[sammythecat]

24. Trump is vulgarity personified. eom

[PunkinPi]

8. Beautiful photo...

and illustrates the striking difference in this election between gilded artifice (Donald) vs authentic substance (Hillary). Thanks for posting.

[tiptonic]

10. Outstanding

Coming from a crummpy/bumpy old man (of the Bernie flavor), this simply says it all. She cares!!

[Maru Kitteh]

26. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You are right. She cares.

She works hard. The work is what matters to her, doing the most good for as many as she can.

Contrast with

[Shankapotomus]

11. Yep, I still see it

That girl in middle school you had no clue how to talk to because, unlike most, she was genuinely there to learn and you were kind of a slacker.

[JanMichael]

37. Ouch. I was in Junior High in the early 80's and yes that scared me.

Being an older X'er I am a slacker....

[mcar]

14. K&R

[Rose Siding]

15. I only wish that Hillary will read Melissa's tribute and know of all the responses from

others like me.

[narnian60]

18. +1

[lillypaddle]

19. K&R nt

[bucolic_frolic]

20. A good mind that can engage on whatever needs attention at any moment or place

That's what I see there

She's a hidden gem that has been hidden in the shadows of her husband

Her talents will be on display if she is elected

[byronius]

21. Wonderful post.

[bigtree]

22. kick

[JohnnyLib2]

27. My kind of woman......

and a Methodist at that. K & R

[asiliveandbreathe]

29. I see Hillary as a modern woman of her own making. I see strength, I see conviction,

I see thoughtful, educated decision making, not wavering. I see a traditional woman, who embodies family values in the truest sense...I don't see hunger for power - I see Hillary using just enough power to get her message across against a stormy incoming tide, sometimes you need to rev the engine to get through the sound bar -

Just common sense trying to do the most good, for the most people - always listening to reliable sources and yes, in some cases needing to listen to her own gut when it comes to her personal life..her most devastating, and her most finest hour...

Hillary has endured the most brutal attacks on her character for years - mostly from men - white men - who have been mischaracterizing her for years, fearful white men - of strong, independent women. All knowing powerful men - do as I say, not as I do men..

Women are leading the way - and Hillary is leading the charge - in a most respectful way - and with humor I might add....

Can you tell, I'm with her...Hillary...

[uponit7771]

30. Able and Willing

[AngryAmish]

35. Everytime I see a folding chair I think...

[TheDebbieDee]

38. I looked at the photo and saw a student working to learn

her lesson, doing last minute studying to ACE that test. And when I read your description, I saw that you agreed with me!

[lonestarnot]

40. I like that, a hard working student. Not off the cuff winging it winger.

[UTUSN]

41. Another one to love:

[SunSeeker]

42. K & R

[lupinella]

46. As always, Melissa

is brilliant at distilling my scattered thoughts into eloquent words. Both women (HRC & Melissa) are incredibly under-appreciated by a world in which they fight on a daily basis to make better, more just, less cruel.
Cheers to hard-working, brilliant people who fight for us all!