After scanning countless photos of the Harris/Walz kickoff, we found this especially worthy of an in-depth look. The image, taken by Erin Schaff for The New York Times, not only captures the energy of the rollout but also perfectly frames the tone and strategy of the new ticket. Taken in Philadelphia on August 6, it was the first rally featuring the new duo after Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race.
Cara and Michael highlight the enthusiastic reception and massive crowds welcoming the new Democratic ticket. They examine how Harris and Walz counter Trump's divisive politics with a message of inclusion and humor. Lastly, Cara draws out how the Harris t-shirt evokes her status as a role model, her HBCU connections, and the centrality of the Black electorate in the campaign.
Chatting the Pictures is a podcast for pictures that dives into powerful news photos in quick, engaging 3-4 minute episodes. Join photo historian Cara Finnegan and psychologist Michael Shaw as they unpack the visual stories shaping our world. Produced by Liliana Michelena, CTP offers a fresh take on photojournalism and visual culture.
You can see the full archive on our legacy website and recent editions on our Instagram feed.
Chatting the Pictures is a feature of Reading the Pictures. Despite our visually saturated culture, we remain among the few sources for analyzing news photography and media images. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
The Harris and Walz Magnetism in One Frame