This photo is from the New York Times photojournalism essay On the Bus, Away From the Pack. It is a part of their Lens photo essays. This photojournalism essay is about different Republican politicians running for the candidacy to run for president. Each photo is very distinct, and some of them are perfectly portraying the candidates’ personalities.
The photo I chose is of Newt Gingrich. He is at the Stum, Ruger & Co. factory in Newport, New Hampshire. The photo must have been taken in some sort of office. On the wall there are two mounted animal heads. One is of a wild hog of some sort, and its mouth is posed open. The photo is taken so that it looks as though animal is about to eat, what would be an oblivious, Newt Gingrich. Newt is posed in the middle of the photograph, neither the foreground nor background.
This photo is interesting because Newt Gingrich is still running for president, even though it seems as though his chances from winning the Republican candidacy are slim to none. I interpreted the wild boar-like animal to represent the main Republican candidate, Mitt Romney. If the animal is indeed to represent Romney, he is creeping up on Gingrich, ready to attach and take over.
Also, how Gingrich is posed affected lot of the photo. His back looks like it is truned to the animal. Gingrich is partially in profile. In this photo his large stomach is also very visible, and is highlighted by his red tie.
The photo is also intriguing because it was taken on a slight angle. The subjects of the photo are stagnant, standing in place. But the angle at which the photo was taken gives it a sense of action. It makes it seem as though something is about to happen to Newt Gingrich, because he is the focus of the photo. The implied action is also what make the mounted head look alive. The angle enhances the fact that the creature might just pounce on Gingrich.
