Staff Archives
135 Posts
Business Focus Video February 16, 2021

Chatting the Pictures: Washington Trying to Steady Things

Wall Street craziness. Economic inequality. Capitol uprising. It’s all there in Timothy Clary’s photo of this George Washington statue.

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Biden Presidency Video February 5, 2021

Chatting the Pictures: President Biden’s Fresh Authority

President Biden demonstrates so much leverage with GOP Senators, he's not even in the photo. The Trump and Obama contrast is also telling.

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Coronavirus Video January 29, 2021

Chatting the Pictures: Stunning Factory Photos in the Race to Beat Covid

We discuss the craft and politics of Christopher Payne's exquisite photos showing machines producing vials for the Covid vaccine.

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Photography/Photojournalism Photo December 11, 2020

Reading the Symbols of Political Movements: A Joint Reading the Pictures/Columbia University Tow Center and Data Science Institute Salon

In this Salon, we discuss the symbolic strategies of political movements, especially those on the far right, and the challenges posed to the media.

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Campaign '20 Video November 24, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Kamala’s Sorority Sisters Stroll Dance in Harlem Inspired by 2020 Victory

We discuss the joy and history of Alpha Kappa Alpha as Kamala's sorority sisters stroll dance in Harlem inspired by the Biden/Harris victory.

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Campaign '20 Video November 19, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: The Most Secure Election in History

With the president falsely challenging the 2020 election process, this vote counting photo from Pittsburgh comes to stand for its integrity.

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Campaign '20 Video November 13, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Our Top Biden/Harris Victory Photograph

The thread running through the photos of people pouring into the street to celebrate Biden’s victory was unbridled joy. This is a classic.

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Campaign '20 Video October 28, 2020

Chatting the Pictures — Jill Biden: I’ve Got a Hold On You

In this highlight video, we discuss Joe Biden's inclination to press the flesh, even in a pandemic, and Jill's impact as his "body person."

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Campaign '20 Video October 19, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Early Voting With a Passion

Despite the obstacles, citizens are determined to be heard in the 2020 election. We discuss this "first day of voting" photo from Georgia.

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Chatting the Pictures Video October 16, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: White House Swagger Vaporized as Soon as Trump Got Sick

Watching Donald Trump depart to Walter Reed with the coronavirus, White House staffers suddenly looked scared and vulnerable.

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Chatting the Pictures Video October 14, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: From Breonna Taylor’s Side Window

This photo of Juniyah Palmer, Breonna Taylor's sister, was taken by LaToya Ruby Frazier. We find it a powerful emotional and forensic record.

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Culture Focus Video October 1, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Agony and Ecstasy over the Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

In this highlight clip, we discuss Christian conservative women praying at the Supreme Court door as another woman grieves the passing of RBG.

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Culture Focus Video September 15, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Militia Fist Bump With Riot Cop at Stone Mountain

This video looks at the presence of armed Trump supporters, and rising concern over the relationship between police and white militia groups.

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Eco Watch Video September 10, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Viral “Covid Meets California Firestorm” Photo

In our latest video, we discuss how this photo delivers a powerful commentary on COVID-19, and a compounding global climate crisis.

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Immigration Video September 4, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Naturalization Ceremony at GOP Convention All for Show

In this highlight video, we probe the ethical and visual dynamics of a "surprise" naturalization ceremony staged at the White House for the Republican Convention.

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Coronavirus Video September 1, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Rare Images From Inmates as Prisons Ravaged by Covid-19

Pictures from inmates in federal prison are rarely seen by the general public. However, the deathly impact of Covid-19 is changing that.

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Eco Watch Video August 28, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Iowa’s Derecho, Another Massively Destructive Climate Event

The photo circulated widely after the derecho in Iowa. In this highlight video, we discuss the contrast between beauty and destruction.

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Campaign '20 Video August 21, 2020

Chatting the Pictures: Kamala VP Nod Gets Special Front Page Treatment

In this highlight video, we discuss the "singularity" of the Harris layout. We also consider the scale in terms of the cultural and personal breakthrough.

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