Don’t leave home without it… a camera
The most beautiful photographic moments jump out in front of you unexpectedly and then, as quickly as they appeared, vanish into thin air. Wonderful photographs exist for an instant before they’re gone forever… alluring eye candy seductively winking at you in plain sight waiting for an easy invite to go home with you, be framed, and then proudly shown off for a lifetime.
Sound easy? It is, only if you follow the most basic rule of photography… don’t ever leave home without a camera.
Any camera, big or small, size doesn’t matter!
Presidential pets: Past and present
“Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.” -Barack Obama
And with that introduction during his presidential victory speech last November Barack Obama changed the lives of his family forever by honoring a personal campaign promise to the most important constituents in his life; his daughters, Sasha and Malia. Both girls will now have memories of growing up in official Washington forever linked with the excitement of sharing the White House grounds with their brand new puppy.
They will discover the past rewards of an imaginary friend are hollow next to the joys generated by a loving heart of a real puppy. Sasha and Malia will learn how satisfying it is to be a pet’s hero and they will never tire from watching as their dog twists inside-out with enthusiasm, and smiles widely every time they return home from school.
The family has permanently moved into the White House and now faces the intensity of a nation’s craving to learn about all things Obama. Now that they have their new puppy the entire family will soon agree that a house doesn’t become a real home until it’s shared with the love of a dog. Rooms are much warmer when a pet is present; and feet are more relaxed in the morning after sharing the bottom of the bed at night with fluffy warm fur. Nothing melts stress like the comfort found from a kiss on the top of a dog’s warm head.
President George W. Bush adored his Scottish terrier, ‘Barney,’ and wasn’t afraid to seek that warmth and comfort in public.
‘Barney’ was a wild-child; the president stopped placing him on the ground at Andrews Air Force Base after ‘Barney’ decided he was the family’s fastest sprinter. “The Commander in Chief” looked like the frantic neighbor next-door, yelling, “hey, can you help me catch my dog” when ‘Barney’ decided to race.
That dog bite was epic. Pretty much if you’re strangers with a dog don’t place your hand in front of their mouth.
Bush years: First-time history
Larry Downing is a Reuters senior staff photographer assigned to the White House. He shares that duty with three other staff photographers. He has lived in Washington since 1977 and has been assigned to cover the White House since 1978. He worked for United Press International and Newsweek Magazine before joining Reuters as a stringer in 1997 and then as staff in 1999.
As the final moments of President Bush’s administration wind down, I look forward to Barack Obama’s historic inauguration. Having grown up in America as a child of the 50’s, I found the odds impossible that he, or any other African American, would ever win the presidency in my lifetime.
Early on election day last November I drove with my wife from the suburbs in Northern Virginia to Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in the Anacostia district of Washington D.C. to watch as thousands of African Americans stood in line to cast their vote on a cold, raw morning. It was heartwarming to watch.
Obama will be the fifth president I’ve been assigned to photograph at the White House in the last 32 years. Each presidency was unique and enjoyable to document. I remember flying back and forth aboard Air Force One with President Carter while he brokered peace between Egypt and Israel in the late 70’s. I then documented his success on the North Lawn of the White House with a three-way handshake between Egypt’s Sadat, Israel’s Begin and Carter.
Less than two years later, the American Embassy in Iran was overrun and embassy personnel were paraded in the street in blindfolds. Carter barricaded himself in the deep bunkers of the White House and lost his bid for re-election.
In came Reagan and the era of feeling good.
Larry, trying to track you down for a photo you took 9/14/09. Please email me. Thanks!
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The Wall
Great column. Love it so much and this is very true thoughts for every photography fans! Thank you for posting and sharing all this!