@froknowsphoto

I wanted to add a few thoughts to the critique video. Do I think it's the most perfectly, softly lit, well-edited portrait ever, no. The choice of lighting is overhanded and makes sense since the photographer mentioned they've never shot studio lighting before. That right there's an interesting thing as well I saw a few people bring up. Someone with no studio lighting experience was tasked with capturing a portrait of this magnitude. That inexperience does show in the heavy-handed lighting and editing. On the flip side that doesn't make the photo inherently bad, it just brings some of the choices to the forefront. 

I think it's an off choice to have one tighter portrait and one further away for the VP. This feels like a deliberate choice of, "look at me, I'm more important, fill the frame with my face". I can say an image is trying to portray strength and convey it, but that doesn't mean the person actually does. Someone said I was "licking boots" because I said Trump has a smile that lights up a room. I think he does have a great smile, but that doesn't mean anything beyond he has a great smile. You can say something like that but still understand that it's a show for him. The scowl, the false bravado, it's a thing. But it's one thing to "portray and convey" a look in a photo, but a person's actions speak louder than the person's manufactured image.

My goal with this video was to share. my thoughts about the photo. The fact that I was able to get answers from the photographer directly to share with you is a big deal. Instead of guessing why a choice was made, I asked why a choice was made and shared the answers with you. I kind of felt like I was a journalist asking questions and then listening to the answers....as that's what a journalist does. You ask questions, you listen for answers, you verify the answers and if needed, you push back.

The choices in the portrait were deliberate, it's a manufactured moment. The photographer had 20 minutes, which honestly is plenty of time to get the photo right. In reality, if you have 20 minutes to capture the image, you probably had a few hours to play around with lighting and a stand-in to test it out. You can tweak a little when the subject comes in, but you should be ready to go within a few seconds of the subject stepping in to frame.

Like I said at the beginning of the video, the look and lighting choice equals a menacing and maniacal portrayal of a president. That seems to be what they were going for. If that's what they were gong for they succeeded. I personally don't see "power" when I see the image, I see the desire to be portrayed as powerful. 

My goal was to discuss the image and share direct quotes from the photographer. We could analyze and over-analyze ever subtle detail, but we don't have to.

Thank you for watching.

@shang-hsien_yang

Trump's portrait looks like a movie poster for a political thriller. Not just the lighting, but also the facial expression.

@Rabbit00766

Your edit of JD Vance's eyes does look alot better.

@GoHerping

its pretty sick you had an actual influence on the portrait that easily a billion people will see in no time

@erikalpizar

It is a photograph full of intentions, challenge, and warning that can be read in the image. If that was the intention, it was perfectly achieved.

@kaneclements7761

Vance looks like he's about to fire laser beams from his eyes.

@Kevin-D-E

I can't understand how a professional photographer would brighten JD's eyes so much. From the moment you see the photo, it's unnatural and looks off. Your description of whitewalker is spot on.
As far as the lighting on Trump's photo, I'm not a fan of the low light, but I definitely get the message that's being portrayed.

@mmuegel

The Vance screams Photoshop and green screen. Holy cow horrible.

@anthonyc1883

"Now Mr. President, hang on for just a second while I run the pose you like through Skittles."

@ralegade7710

The photo from his first term is the photo you take during new hire orientation.

The one he took now looks like after you’ve been at work for three months.

@tsptl152

Looks like he's holding a flashlight and about to go all evil laugh at trick-or-treaters.

@SP-te2il

As a fellow government photographer who does portraits for government the lighting setup is not something I would go for. If Daniel used the mugshot for inspiration I understand that. I just wouldn’t use a horror movie type lighting setup for official portraits. I will also say I appreciate him for trying things and to think outside the box.

@gscheuing

Any great portrait photographer will capture the essence of his subject, revealing an individual's character and personality, opening a window into who they are.  Therefore I would say he succeeded greatly here.

@MBIRIJAMES

I think the president wanted to reproduce the famous mugshot, I think it was brilliantly done.

@anthonyc1883

"Honey, there's a man in a little room at the end of that long, dark hallway. Do NOT go down there."

@mikhailgorbatov4460

I would like to say that this is probably the most artistic portrait of official person i’ve ever seen. Really great job in my opinion, make me think of classical portraits of rulers made with paint back in medieval age. Once again, really great and strong image.

@DrWasim

He looks angry and vengeful.

@jbetz78

You nailed it Jared!  Perfect critique!  100% Love the shot.  It's not your traditional portrait lighting setup but that's what makes it unique and NOT boring.  Also love the color grading and expression!

@AV84USA

Since Donald Trump is only the second president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms, he gets two presidential portraits. The first one was as expected so why would anyone expect a duplicate of the 45th presidential portrait? The only thing I don’t like about it is it reminds me of Jill Greenberg (I hope that pisses her off) I think his 47th portrait works aesthetically and politically and only offends those who enjoy being offended.

I absolutely love the whinging and political butthurt remarks in the comments here. It’s good to see them focus on something other than what camera/lens/light/plugin is the best. Either way, the response is the same, “get off your butt and do what works for you.”

@maxdemartino

From a photographer point of view this photo is perfect. It is what the customer asked for. I am the Italian trainer for Profoto and I always explain what a light does when it's too low under the eyeline, and here the "evil" face is exactly what Trump wants to give as a message. I'm far away from him, politically, but I can understand exactly which message they want to convey. I agree also with your considerations on the JD Vance portrait. Great video as always, Jared!