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Photographic Presidents: Making History from Daguerreotype to Digital
Defining the Chief Executive via flash powder and selfie sticks
Lincoln’s somber portraits. Lyndon Johnson’s swearing in. George W. Bush’s reaction to learning about the 9/11 attacks. Photography plays an indelible role in how we remember and define American presidents. Throughout history, presidents have actively participated in all aspects of photography, not only by sitting for photos but by taking and consuming them. Cara A. Finnegan ventures from a newly-discovered daguerreotype of John Quincy Adams to Barack Obama’s selfies to tell the stories of how presidents have participated in the medium’s transformative moments. As she shows, technological developments not only changed photography, but introduced new visual values that influence how we judge an image. At the same time, presidential photographs—as representations of leaders who symbolized the nation—sparked public debate on these values and their implications. An original journey through political history, Photographic Presidents reveals the intertwined evolution of an American institution and a medium that continues to define it.
Lincoln’s somber portraits. Lyndon Johnson’s swearing in. George W. Bush’s reaction to learning about the 9/11 attacks. Photography plays an indelible role in how we remember and define American presidents. Throughout history, presidents have actively participated in all aspects of photography, not only by sitting for photos but by taking and consuming them. Cara A. Finnegan ventures from a newly-discovered daguerreotype of John Quincy Adams to Barack Obama’s selfies to tell the stories of how presidents have participated in the medium’s transformative moments. As she shows, technological developments not only changed photography, but introduced new visual values that influence how we judge an image. At the same time, presidential photographs—as representations of leaders who symbolized the nation—sparked public debate on these values and their implications. An original journey through political history, Photographic Presidents reveals the intertwined evolution of an American institution and a medium that continues to define it.
296 pages, Hardcover
Published May 18, 2021
1 person is currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Cara A. Finnegan
5 books11 followersCara Finnegan is a writer, teacher, and historian of photography. Her latest book, Photographic Presidents: Making History from Daguerreotype to Digital, was published in May 2021 by University of Illinois Press.
Finnegan's ideas about photography have been featured in a variety of publications in the fields of Communication and U.S. History, as well as in popular media outlets such as The New York Times, CBS, BBC, Chicago Public Radio, and Vox. Since 2018 she has co-hosted the webcast Chatting The Pictures, which is produced by Reading the Pictures, a non-profit dedicated to the analysis of news photos and media imagery.
Visit carafinnegan.com to find out more about Cara and her work.
Finnegan's ideas about photography have been featured in a variety of publications in the fields of Communication and U.S. History, as well as in popular media outlets such as The New York Times, CBS, BBC, Chicago Public Radio, and Vox. Since 2018 she has co-hosted the webcast Chatting The Pictures, which is produced by Reading the Pictures, a non-profit dedicated to the analysis of news photos and media imagery.
Visit carafinnegan.com to find out more about Cara and her work.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 14, 2021
**I received and voluntarily read an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
It's amazing to see how far photography has come, and to see it age alongside the history of American presidents and how the two seemed to influence one another is a fantastic combination.
Overall, the book was full of information, but it could read a little bit dry at times. This book would be great for any photography buff or history buff in your life.
It's amazing to see how far photography has come, and to see it age alongside the history of American presidents and how the two seemed to influence one another is a fantastic combination.
Overall, the book was full of information, but it could read a little bit dry at times. This book would be great for any photography buff or history buff in your life.
March 28, 2021
Photography’s History and Presidents’ Photos
In this book, the author has created not only a book showing photographs of presidents from John Quincy Adams to Barack Obama—as the title suggests—but also a history of photography (and how it impacted presidential photography). She broadly divides the book into four sections: daguerreotype; handhelds and half-tones; candid cameras; and social/digital media. At the start of each section, she provides a broad history of the development of photography at that moment and then details how the medium captured the presidents of that time. For a book essentially about photography, it has more text than you might imagine, but I found it fascinating to both trace the history of photography and how photographs have been used by the presidency. I felt for John Quincy Adams in the early 1840s as he struggled with always having photos taken of him he never liked. Yes, disliking seeing your own photo has been around as long as photography has been a part of our lives! The author also shows how political or cultural photographs became just about as soon as they started. For instance, people took a daguerreotype of themselves holding illustrations of George Washington; after the assassination of McKinley, a mad scramble to find his “last photograph” ensued. The author notes that Barack Obama allowed not only a lot of access to what happened behind the scenes of his presidency but also used social media to put out a highly curated stream of those photos. A fascinating book for both photographers interested in the history of their craft and people with interests in history or the US presidents.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
In this book, the author has created not only a book showing photographs of presidents from John Quincy Adams to Barack Obama—as the title suggests—but also a history of photography (and how it impacted presidential photography). She broadly divides the book into four sections: daguerreotype; handhelds and half-tones; candid cameras; and social/digital media. At the start of each section, she provides a broad history of the development of photography at that moment and then details how the medium captured the presidents of that time. For a book essentially about photography, it has more text than you might imagine, but I found it fascinating to both trace the history of photography and how photographs have been used by the presidency. I felt for John Quincy Adams in the early 1840s as he struggled with always having photos taken of him he never liked. Yes, disliking seeing your own photo has been around as long as photography has been a part of our lives! The author also shows how political or cultural photographs became just about as soon as they started. For instance, people took a daguerreotype of themselves holding illustrations of George Washington; after the assassination of McKinley, a mad scramble to find his “last photograph” ensued. The author notes that Barack Obama allowed not only a lot of access to what happened behind the scenes of his presidency but also used social media to put out a highly curated stream of those photos. A fascinating book for both photographers interested in the history of their craft and people with interests in history or the US presidents.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
March 27, 2021
A chronological study of the American presidents (beginning with George Washington!) in context of the ever developing world of photography. The author shares with us her love of history, photography, and presidential ephemera and keepsakes in this analysis of photography as a tool.
Chock full of photographs, this volume provides primary materials for us to examine; however is no TIME LIFE coffee table book to mindlessly browse. Generously peppered with descriptions of the prevailing portraiture tools, presidential perspectives and reactions to those tools, the author provides a detailed and compelling analysis,
Although the purpose of this study is historical, this book provides strong sociological commentary. Over time, these powerful men learn how to position their better side to confer a depiction of strength, health, and vitality. It’s clear that these powerful male figures also understand the power of the “male gaze” as they strictly forbid photography of their nubile female relatives.
This book is excellent as a narrowly focused history book. As is the case with the linear format of books, it’s difficult to relay the breadth of modern multimedia and the presidents who use them.
Notably lacking is any depiction and analysis of the former President Trump and his flat-footed relationship with photography.
Thanks for the opportunity to review an ARC NetGalley.
Chock full of photographs, this volume provides primary materials for us to examine; however is no TIME LIFE coffee table book to mindlessly browse. Generously peppered with descriptions of the prevailing portraiture tools, presidential perspectives and reactions to those tools, the author provides a detailed and compelling analysis,
Although the purpose of this study is historical, this book provides strong sociological commentary. Over time, these powerful men learn how to position their better side to confer a depiction of strength, health, and vitality. It’s clear that these powerful male figures also understand the power of the “male gaze” as they strictly forbid photography of their nubile female relatives.
This book is excellent as a narrowly focused history book. As is the case with the linear format of books, it’s difficult to relay the breadth of modern multimedia and the presidents who use them.
Notably lacking is any depiction and analysis of the former President Trump and his flat-footed relationship with photography.
Thanks for the opportunity to review an ARC NetGalley.
December 7, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
This was an interesting topic that I hadn't thought that much about before, but it is an important part of how we get to see and learn about the Presidents. Photographic Presidents talked about the different types of photography and how we got to the digital age we now live in and its importance and how it made it easier and harder for presidents to be able to take photos at first because of how they had to stay so still.
Overall I did enjoy this book it was an incredibly quick read for a nonfiction book and didn't go overly in-depth about anything which was nice. I was expecting there to be more photos than there ended up being, but that was okay.
I did find the last chapter the most interesting because of how things had changed so rapidly from the 90s till the Obama presidency and how he put a new spin on things. I'm very interested now in seeing what the Biden white house is like when it comes to photos because we know what the Trump administration has been like and it's not been very nice.
If you want a quick read that helps you understand a little bit more about the media side of presidents this would be interesting for you.
This was an interesting topic that I hadn't thought that much about before, but it is an important part of how we get to see and learn about the Presidents. Photographic Presidents talked about the different types of photography and how we got to the digital age we now live in and its importance and how it made it easier and harder for presidents to be able to take photos at first because of how they had to stay so still.
Overall I did enjoy this book it was an incredibly quick read for a nonfiction book and didn't go overly in-depth about anything which was nice. I was expecting there to be more photos than there ended up being, but that was okay.
I did find the last chapter the most interesting because of how things had changed so rapidly from the 90s till the Obama presidency and how he put a new spin on things. I'm very interested now in seeing what the Biden white house is like when it comes to photos because we know what the Trump administration has been like and it's not been very nice.
If you want a quick read that helps you understand a little bit more about the media side of presidents this would be interesting for you.
December 26, 2021
8.5/10
An interesting look into the history of photography. By far the best sections of this book were the ones discussing John Quincy Adams and Obama. The Adams chapters were excellent based off the gatherings of his own personal writings regarding photography and the context of his life/times he was living in. Even if I wasn't familiar with him already, I'm sure his story would not fail to interest me. In fact, the book provided the much needed context to understand the cultural and technological aspect of the photography in the past for each chapter. The Obama chapter was great as well, analyzing his usage of photography in keeping up his image even as his actions might appear otherwise. However I really wish there were more discussing memes and internet culture about his presidency in contrast to Trump's.
The rest of the chapters on other presidents were good but the Obama and Adams chapter are particularly good in their execution. I also liked hearing about Erich Salomon who was the first to take a picture of the Supreme Court in session.
An interesting look into the history of photography. By far the best sections of this book were the ones discussing John Quincy Adams and Obama. The Adams chapters were excellent based off the gatherings of his own personal writings regarding photography and the context of his life/times he was living in. Even if I wasn't familiar with him already, I'm sure his story would not fail to interest me. In fact, the book provided the much needed context to understand the cultural and technological aspect of the photography in the past for each chapter. The Obama chapter was great as well, analyzing his usage of photography in keeping up his image even as his actions might appear otherwise. However I really wish there were more discussing memes and internet culture about his presidency in contrast to Trump's.
The rest of the chapters on other presidents were good but the Obama and Adams chapter are particularly good in their execution. I also liked hearing about Erich Salomon who was the first to take a picture of the Supreme Court in session.
January 26, 2021
For those interested in the history of photography and how it relates specifically to presidents, and how presidents became more "photographic"! I'm mainly only interested in photography and I still thought this book was quite interesting. Lots of information about the processes used, how presidents reacted and dealt with being photographed, and finally, the advent of social media and how that changed things.
A very in-depth look into all of this, while also getting a little insight into presidential personalities, in the small moments and in the big ones. Though for me particularly, some information was more interesting than others, I'm sure that anyone with these interests can find new facts and ideas from reading this!
There are photos scattered throughout, to highlight certain themes or moments, but not as many as I was expecting.
Thank you NetGalley and the University of Illinois Press for this e-ARC!
A very in-depth look into all of this, while also getting a little insight into presidential personalities, in the small moments and in the big ones. Though for me particularly, some information was more interesting than others, I'm sure that anyone with these interests can find new facts and ideas from reading this!
There are photos scattered throughout, to highlight certain themes or moments, but not as many as I was expecting.
Thank you NetGalley and the University of Illinois Press for this e-ARC!
May 23, 2022
Interesting topic. I would recommend this for people who are really into photography and/or presidential history (or history in general). I originally picked this up thinking it was more larger photos with captions, but this is definitely a detailed account of how photography changed the way presidents were viewed.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2022
It was a surprise to see Washington included until I read more. It was a daguerreotype of the Gilbert Stuart painting! Mostly this is about Obama, my favorite president. I ddi realize that a childhood friend is now a dead ringer for George Washington, from her hair to her chin. ( I don't know about the teeth of either.)
May 5, 2021
This book was a great source on photographs of presidents through the years. There were times I got lost in the info about photography and forgot I was reading about presidents. There were so many other presidents that could have been mentioned but were left out. Overall a good read.
May 14, 2021
This was so interesting!! I couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews