Notes Archives
6,381 Posts
Photo March 31, 2021

Notable Faces from the Start of the George Floyd Murder Trial

At the start of jury selection in the George Floyd murder trial, seeing solidarity, and visualizing accountability.

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COVID 19 Photo March 23, 2021

The Halfs and the Half-Nots

How photojournalism is channeling split-screens and divided societies. Perceptually and morally, the style serves as an apt social mirror.

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Activism & Protest Photo February 25, 2021

What’s Distinguishing and What’s Familiar in the Post-Coup Protest Pictures from Myanmar

A former aid worker and a visual scholar help explain key media and Facebook photos after Myanmar’s military coup.

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Disaster Focus Photo February 18, 2021

Record Texas Freeze and a Photo of the Times

More and more, news photographs are capturing compound crises. Combining climate and Covid, this scene is particularly arresting.

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Photography/Photojournalism Photo February 2, 2021

The Massive Snow Storm of ’21, Beyond the Pretty Pictures

The blizzard of '21 is producing gorgeous photography. But these two simple Instagram pix by Mark Peterson keep an unconditional focus on American hardship.

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Biden Presidency Photo January 16, 2021

Where the Mockery Falls

America has largely confused Trump's mockery of democracy with the mocking of Trump himself. The Europeans haven't had such a problem.

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Culture Focus Photo January 11, 2021

The Cult Of Trump In Its Last Throes

In the assault on the Capitol, the distinction between faith, nation, and godhead finally and completely broke down.

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Campaign '20 Photo January 10, 2021

Capitol Artwork a Symbolic Participant in Trump White Supremacist Riot

While the rioters who invaded the Capitol amplified the nation's history of white supremacy, that history was already hanging on the walls behind them.

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COVID 19 Photo December 31, 2020

Media, Grief, and Three Views of a Tragic Covid Zoom Goodbye

In the case where families and loved ones must say goodbye virtually, the life of that terrible scene is not so simple.

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COVID 19 Photo December 5, 2020

Heartfelt Photos from Covid’s Crushing Third Wave

Just like in the spring, the focus has turned to Covid, to grief, and to hospital ICUs. However, the photos seem more intimate this time.

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COVID 19 Photo November 23, 2020

Covid Denial in One Picture

In one photo, this man has become the poster for a government in denial, and everyone who can't be induced or bothered to wear a mask.

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Coronavirus Photo November 16, 2020

The Lasting Image of Trump and the Virus

Many photos link Trump to the pandemic, but this photo-illustration really captures him as the great Covid enabler.

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Activism & Protest Photo October 8, 2020

Social Justice in the “Unified” NFL

If the NFL really wants to promote anti-racism, it seems hard to imagine a less emphatic visual statement.

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Eco Watch Photo September 17, 2020

Whirling Fire Storm Photo: The New Unfathomable

Fire photos this ominous come at a premium. But this photo from California captures the new otherworldly state of the climate crisis.

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Disaster Focus Photo September 16, 2020

Global Heating and Fire: California Jumps the Gap

It's not just a bad fire season. These photos both symbolize and demonstrate how California has crossed a critical climate threshold.

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Culture Focus Photo July 28, 2020

With All Our Troubles, Comet NEOWISE Offers Timely Perspective

Could the comet be a sign? Only coming around every 6,800 years, perhaps NEOWISE has some lessons to offer about history, humility, and introspection.

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Protest Focus Photo July 25, 2020

Portland Protests: Mary Poppins Has Had Enough

Until a few weeks ago, the demand for racial justice and an end to police violence was pretty straightforward. Clearly, things have gotten more complicated.

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Race Focus Photo July 20, 2020

Where John Lewis Meets the Present Moment

Crowley's photo honoring John Lewis elevates an important aspect of the movement. It highlights today's injustices as yet another opportunity to educate.

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