Photojournalism and the American Presidency

An ever-growing resource of presidential photography is available on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. Photojournalism and the American Presidency examines the powerful relationship between the almighty camera lens and the office of the president. These enduring images have shaped what we think of the American presidency and the select few who hold that office.

Highlights include a recent donation by P.F. Bentley of his archives to the Center for American History, as well as the highly acclaimed archives of images available at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

The Presidential section uses iconic images taken by the four photojournalists of Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. These images enable educators to teach and students to explore and learn about those who have held the office. All photographs have captions identifying people, places, occasions, and dates. Most include a "Did you Know" statement such as the one accompanying Kennerly's photo of President Ford with a geisha.

Some of the photographs include audio files of the photojournalists describing how they were able to capture a particular image such as Walker's Ronald Reagan.

Many of the photographs include a guiding statement on how to read the image and questions to initiate discussion. An example is Halstead's "The War Decision."

There are links to other sites that enhance the content presented with various photos. For example McNamee's photo of Ronald Reagan greeting his wife with a kiss includes a caption, a "Did you know?" statement, and a link to the entry for Nancy Reagan on the White House website.

Like The Digital Journalist, the video clips of the photographers describing their images are an engaging component of this website. Viewers can learn firsthand how these photojournalists gained access to their subjects such as McNamee on "Taking Advantage of the Moment."

Walker describes her quest to give insight into the character of the people whom she photographs as well their relationships with others included in the image. Halstead discusses taking the photograph of President Clinton embracing White House intern Monica Lewinsky during a campaign fundraiser a few days before the '96 presidential fundraiser.

Editor's Note: We added a couple of Clinton era favorites: President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton see mask-to-mask during a trip to Mexico. Photograph by: Dirck Halstead, 1998

Surrounded by members of Congress and his cabinet, President Clinton signs a bill creating an independent agency for Social Security services. Photograph by: Wally McNamee, 1994

While you're at the university's Briscoe center, there's a section on a Bronze Star nurse , Josephine Hobbs Kaser, including her "descriptions of life on board a hospital ship and in post war Japan ... invaluable to the study of World War II, and especially the role American women played in the war effort."

Sections of the article above were taken from Alison Beck's article for The Digital Journalist. Ms. Beck is Associate Director of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.

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Photojournalism and the American Presidency

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