Short Essay 2

Photography and Media

Public opinion toward the recent Jesse Jackson scandal can expectedly be summarized with a simple look of disgust. Amidst a climate of record-low Congressional approval ratings and disappointing economic figures, former Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. recently pleaded guilty to illegally using around $750, 000 in campaign funds for personal pleasure. Prosecutors charged Jackson with using campaign money to purchase, amongst other luxuries, items including a $43,000 Rolex watch, a $4,600 fedora from Michael Jackson’s collection, and a pair of mounted elk heads from a Montana taxidermist priced at $8,000 (CNN). Media outlets reported on Jackson’s fraudulent behavior in a manner that portrays the former Congressman as apologetic and sympathetic, despite the fact that it seems reasonable to label Jackson as greedy and malicious. This bizarre characterization of Jackson works, however, with the help of photography.

Multiple news sites, including CNN, NBC, and BBC News, released stories regarding Jackson’s guilty pleading along with a single picture of him. All of the news sites place their picture of Jackson at the beginning of the articles. The pictures act as a sort of first impression for readers. The first thing they see before reading the article is Jackson’s troubled face. All the news sites use a similar picture of Jackson: his face full of sorrow with a regretful sigh forming from his brow. The emotions represented on Jackson’s face clearly show the former Congressman’s personal shame for his behavior. From the look on his face it is evident Jackson knows his actions have compromised his dignity, and for this he is greatly distressed. His regretful expression relays a message to the article’s reader, or viewer, that evokes an emotional response. The response from the picture likely includes feelings of sympathy for Jackson, because as human beings we notice and can relate to the raw emotions exposed by the picture. We see the agony in Jackson’s expression and find it difficult to avoid even the smallest bit of pity. To some extent it is like walking by a hungry beggar and refusing him food.

The emotional response from the picture, however, evokes a different emotional response than that of the articles’ text. Absent of a picture, the reader simply sees Jackson’s apology in black and white letters: “Tell everybody back at home I’m sorry I let ‘em down,” (NBC). The statement released by Jackson seems very stale when written in a news article. There are no feelings accompanying the text, and therefore as a reader we do not know what sort of connotation came with the statement. We only know that Jackson apologized. His apology could very well have been insincere or sarcastic. With the addition of a photograph depicting the painful emotions on Jackson’s face readers grasp a fuller sense of Jackson’s apology.

The photography incorporated into these media stories transforms the overall impact of the message. The articles successfully describe Jackson’s recent infamous claim to fame while the pictures attached to each article emphasize Jackson’s apologetic face. These pictures serve an important role in the way the public reacts to the news. Viewing the particular image accompanied with the news stories allows the reader to understand the sincerity of Jackson’s apology in a way that words cannot. Because viewers can more fully comprehend the authenticity of the apology they are more likely to judge Jackson less harshly. Therefore the lasting impact of the media story becomes transformed with the help of photography.

Former Congressman Jesse Jackson enters the U.S. District Federal Courthouse. Photo taken from NBC News. Note: NBC, CNN, and BBC News used the same photo of Jackson and included similar captions.

Works Cited

“‘I’m Sorry I Let ‘Em down’: Jesse Jackson Jr. and Wife Plead Guilty to Fraud.” NBC News.

Web. 22 Feb. 2013.

“Jesse Jackson Jr Guilty of Fraud.” BBC 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 22 Feb. 2013.

“Jesse Jackson Jr., Wife Plead Guilty to Charges Involving Campaign Funds.” CNN. Web. 22

Feb. 2013.

SE2 review questions

Review by: Dina Grossman

1)   Is the image analyzed in relationship to a larger story, and what is that story?

Yes, the larger story is about the congressman using all the money for personal pleasure. The article gives the reader negative feelings towards the man while the image shows him as an apologetic man evoking a more emotional feeling sorry for him response.

2)   How is the image analyzed

The image is analyzed by giving the background story so readers understand what the articles about. It then goes into detail about the emotional response that the story evokes then goes to the emotional response that the image evokes showing both in different ways. The story getting a more hateful response with the image getting a more empathetic response.

3)   What do you find most interesting about the analysis?

I found it most interesting that you put the image at the end. In the article you talk about almost all articles putting the image at the beginning so they lead with the reader only reading the caption knowing he’s apologizing for something. You putting it at the end gave a whole different appearance. I didn’t know the story so reading it I was like “wow this guys kind of a jerk” and then seeing the image I did get a little bit of a less strong response.

4)   What is most confusing or in need of greater attention

I don’t think any of it was all that confusing, it was pretty straight forward. In terms of revision I think it might be helpful for you to maybe show the captions on the image from other news sources to see what kind of response they go for because you touch on other stories using images, you could show an example to make this claim more credible. Also at the end you say “The articles successfully describe….” But only talk about one article

5)   Other comments and suggestions for revision?

Some of the sentences were a little confusing like the last sentence in your intro “This bizarre characterization of Jackson works, however, with the help of photography.” Another confusing sentences is, “Viewing the image allows the reader to understanding the sincerity of Jackson’s apology in a way that words cannot.” Do you mean understand not understanding? Also your metaphor about comparing him to a cute puppy needing a home might be a little strong. I think it’s a really good place for you to include a metaphor and this one gets the point across for sure but I don’t know if that’s the exact emotion it evokes. Also you could include a link to the original story that you got the image from.

Short Essay 2 Workshop

Review questions

Reviewer name: Eunha So  

1. Is the image analyzed in relationship to a larger story, and what is that story?

- The story is about Jesse Jackson Jr (former Illinoi (I believe) Representative) illegally spending the campaign funds for his own luxury, and how most of the article related to this story used a image of Jackson’s guilty/sad/regretful face.

2. How is the image analyzed?

At first I thought he was just frowning his face to some paparazzi, because that is what happens to famous people. However, I was completely wrong. I did not even think that there could be a huge issue behind it, but you analyze it as a pity and guilty face. After reading the behind story of the story I agree with you.

3. What do you ding most interesting about the analysis?

- I thought it was really interesting how a casual picture like this can contain a huge social/political issue. 

4. What is most confusing or in need of greater attention or explanation?

There was not a lot, but I had to look at the picture many times to really feel sympathy that the you are feeling. For some reason, even after I read your story, the picture still seemed like saying “what?” or “what is this smell?”. Maybe it is just a funny picture. Do you have any other picture of him? Since you mention that a lot of articles used similar picture of Jackson.

5. Other comments and suggestions for revision?

It was a good essay overall, and easy to understand what idea you are trying to deliver.