February 2011 - Page 2 of 4 - Reading The Pictures

David Degner Photo February 18, 2011

David Degner in Cairo: The Bridge, Hospital, Metro Stop, Library Formerly Known as "Mubarak"

When people have been "under Mubarak" (like you see in the picture) for as long as they have, it's not something you just change overnight.

The Great Recession Photo February 17, 2011

Cairo, Wisconsin

Is there a grassroots surge underway right now through the combined power of pictures and social media?

The Great Recession Photo February 16, 2011

Rahm and the Thousand Yard Stare

This is the photo that jumped out at me today, a perfectly craven, if cookie-cutter portrait of the disconnect between the so-called "public servant" and his constituent prop -- this woman's crestfallen quality and her thousand-yard-stare as much an indicator of a crass campaign photo op as the reciprocal...

Culture Focus Photo

Fashion Week and the Creative Destruction of Happiness

OK, I get it: Fashion Week in New York is expected to be exotic and excessive, an uber-chic party for only the few and the very few. Even so, I was a bit taken aback by this unexpected display of privilege.

Iraq and Afghanistan War Photo

War Vs. Summer Camp: Hipstamatic Debate Just More Distraction Game?

It doesn't bother me all that much that Damon Winter shot "A Grunt's Life" using an iPhone with a Hipstamatic app. What does bother me is how much the impassioned debate surrounding the aesthetics of Winter's images takes place at the expense of their content.

President Obama Photo February 15, 2011

41 Reasons to Love the Second-Half Obama

This shot, in contrast, emphasizes how much Team Obama has gotten its visual spin down following the mid-term recallibration. It also illustrates how much of the mindshare Obama has been capturing, at every opportunity, from the center-right.

David Degner Photo February 14, 2011

David Degner in Cairo: Strikes Threat to Democracy OR Expression of It?

Consistent with the hand wringing in some Western media, maybe the Generals will just decide to put their feet down and outlaw all strikes, Until they do so, however, perhaps what we're seeing -- in the policemen in Cairo or the rail works in Mansoura -- is the expression...

Faith Focus Photo

FOX: Egypt Set Upon By Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Considering the tape and the hateful/fantastical association, this has little to do with whether the tape was doctored or it's explanable

Campaign '12 Photo February 13, 2011

CPAC Winner of the Straw Poll

I think it's really unfair of the liberal media to make Ron Paul out like a crazy man, don't you?

Faith Focus Photo

"Broken Bones, Not Spirit" — Seeing "The Savior" in Fall of Egyptian Regime?

I'm struck by the quick, strong and instinctive reaction to this laden photo at the very instant the Egyptian political clouds parted, the image speaking not just to an idealization of the events in Egypt, necessarily, but also as an inclination to recognize them through a more Christian lens.

Alan Chin Photo February 12, 2011

Alan Chin in Cairo: "Yesterday I was a Demonstrator. Today I Build Egypt"

As celebration of Mubarek's downfall continues into a second day and night, its a time for exaltation, clean up -- and an eye to what comes next.

Media Focus Photo

What's Wrong with the World Press Choice of "Photo of the Year"?

If the selection of Jodi Bieber's photo of Aisha as the editorial photo of the year is meant to focus our minds on the plight of Afghan women in the context of the war, I've got some problems.

Alan Chin Photo February 11, 2011

Alan Chin in Cairo: Mubarak No More!!!

Egypt Uprising - Day 18. Tension skyrockets. Mubarak resigns. Joy and celebration reign. Alan Chin: It's a combination of Prague '89 and New Years Eve.

Middle East Watch Photo

The Day Mubarak Stepped Down: Move Away From The Box

These two images from WAPO's wonderful slideshow on "The Reign of Egypt's Mubarak" really encapsulate what inspired the energy and motivation in Tahrir Square these past two weeks.

Photo February 10, 2011

CPAC Watch: Getting Dusted

Maybe Rand Paul has a legitimate point to make about energy. Or energy products. Or consumer products. Or something. But then, maybe someone forgot to bring him to up speed on Karl's adage: politics is TV with the sound off.

Alan Chin Photo

Alan Chin in Cairo: Extreme Shock and Rage. (It Seems Even the Generals Thought Mubarak Would Resign.)

Day 18 in Cairo: It seems the entire world was expecting that Mubarak would step down. In the early hours, Alan sent just three pictures. In their simplicity they track the story of this profound, stunning and ultimately, crushing evening.

Business Focus Photo

Tim Fadek: Is Social Media Destroying Public Interaction?

Maybe it's a stretch, but I see irony here -- guests seemed to spend more time with their phones than with each other. This begs the question: Outside of virtual, online sociality, does Social Media make us more or less social in person?

Scandal Focus Photo

Congressman Christopher Lee's Hardware

Since "the smoking gun" in this story, however, is a photograph, you need to see it full scale to really appreciate the sexual suggestion.