Convention Thoughts

By ROB FINCH

Almost every photograph we see from the political conventions is an illustration of perfection. Perfect light. Perfect backdrops. Our political leaders stand on stage, their arms outstretched, perfect smiles on their faces, confetti gently floating around them. It's high-stakes theater.



This year I photographed both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention and witnessed this manipulated circus firsthand. The perfection is custom built. Photographers are given specific locations from which to take pictures. The bigger the media outlet, the more opportunity you have to get the "best" location. It takes a lot of luck or a lot of determination to make unique pictures, and getting those photographs published is yet another challenge.

As I perused national websites and newspapers, including this one, I saw that almost everyone published the scripted pictures. It's that perfect gesture, that look of determination in the eye, all captured with the conveniently placed party signs in the background. I am sure that campaign managers from both the right and the left were elated.



The one time I got behind the scenes during two weeks of coverage, I listened to a professional speech coach explain what words to emphasize and where to look. Every word was dissected and analyzed to make sure that it fit the party's message. But, most importantly he stressed that everything was done for the cameras, not the people in the audience -- they are already the converted.



I was one of the few people lucky enough to witness these two events in real time. I had the ability to look around, choose what I wanted to see, just as if I were at a football game or a play. Most people were only able to look and listen through the filter of television or photographs.



I have to ask, are we being led by the nose? Are we drones, satisfied to accept the sanitized view of our next president that has been presented?

Don't believe what you see.



We have 52 days left until we elect our next president. It's time to pop the balloons and burn the script. It's time to get down to business, to ask the tough questions and to find the real moments -- if you can.

Rob Finch is a staff photographer for The Oregonian. Reach him at robfinch@news.oregonian.com