Photo Analysis Assignment

Of the two photo options we were given, I feel that this photo gave me the most confidence in President Obama's leadership abilities. The first picture was a shot of just Pres. Obama with the caption saying that he was being briefed on the BP oil spill relief efforts. His face was very serious, but anyone has the ability to listen to what others are saying. That shows no leadership qualities. This photo however, with the caption of, "President Obama meets with National Incident Commander US Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen for a briefing on the BP oil spill at Coast Guard Station Gulfport in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Monday," which I felt showed that he had more knowledge and understanding of the subject being discussed. He has his arms extended like he is explaining something in greater detail. His face has a look of concern, but also confidence that something is without a doubt going to be done to solve the problem. Also there is someone else in the picture, an older man, who is listening to what Obama has to say on the subject matter. Behind them are maps and pictures showing the area affected by the spill and workers trying to solve the problem, along with an American flag showing his authority and position. The photograph is spontaneous showing that he is working on the issue not just when there are photo opportunities. I believe that this photo is trying to say that President Obama is taking this issue into his own hands and jumping right into figuring out a solution for this problem before letting it get any farther.

The caption of a photo can be the determining factor of whether or not it has a positive or negative connotation. The caption on the above photo shows that Obama is meeting with the right people to begin working together on a crisis issue. It shows that he knows how to go about handling the situation and is doing able to work with others as a team in a difficult situation. However, if the caption were changed, the picture could say something much different. For example, if it were to say, "President Obama interrupts National Incident Commander US Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen during a briefing on the BP oil spill without letting him discuss his clean up plan," it would show that he does not have the ability to work as a team, taking away his leadership qualities and showing that he does not listen to others, which is a scary quality to find in a president.