Nov. 1: Your lens to the interne t's most powerful photographs. 📸

Nov 1: Week in Photography

Your lens to the internet's most powerful photographs.

📸 MOST POWERFUL PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📸

Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images

This week, lines for early voting stretched for hours in some cities, and a record number of mail-in ballots have been submitted across the country. Mail-in ballots were seen as a crowd control measure for the coronavirus pandemic, but the rules around how they work are widely variable and, in some states, still being contested. How votes are counted in battleground states could prove crucial to who wins the Electoral College, so the lack of clarity is setting up the possibility of a prolonged or contested election.

All of this feels very much like a real-world experiment with the Constitution. This frame by Robyn Beck in California summarizes the enormous task of counting every last vote — and the eagerness of Americans to participate in the election this year.

📸For Your 👀 Only:

WHAT IT'S LIKE IN WISCONSIN

We worked with Lauren Justice, a photographer in Wisconsin who crisscrossed the southeast region talking with voters. The idea was to capture the mood in an area that is deeply divided, in a state that will be crucial in this week's election. While it seemed straightforward, finding people who were willing to publicly express their opinion was an endeavor — even both rural and urban residents described feeling overlooked. This is a sneak peek behind the scenes at a project that will publish this week.

What were some of the challenges with this story?
It was challenging finding people in more rural areas to say yes to being involved. The only farmers who said yes were women. I’m excited to have their voices in this piece, and I also wish we had more representation from their communities.

Lauren Justice for BuzzFeed News

It’s well known that there is distrust between rural Wisconsin and the media, and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to help build that trust back up again. One person who originally said yes to working on this with us ended up dropping out because she couldn’t find a way to answer the questions without fearing for how her family business would be impacted if those around her read the piece. I heard this from others too –– two people who did participate were initially hesitant because they were afraid of reactions from readers, afraid of being made fun of, afraid of their words being taken out of context.

What's it like covering an election in a battleground state that is also a COVID hot spot ?
COVID has really transformed the way we/I work in the state. For this series I didn’t go inside anyone’s business or home to take photos and I was careful about where and how I stopped for gas and food along the way. I stayed outside and worked from a distance while wearing a mask. I was seeing so many people that it wouldn’t have been safe to be inside so many homes. Masks have become politicized in some areas and you can feel that as you go in and out of different towns and cities in Wisconsin. Sometimes when I’m wearing a mask I’ll hear remarks from people about how the virus is being overblown by the media or I’ll feel like my mask combined with my camera ostracize me from those I’m trying to photograph. Other times the people I’m photographing emphasize the importance of them and begin conversations about making masks fashionable. Knowing that there are such varying degrees of virus concerns in the state means that I have to find new ways to both connect and stay safe across a spectrum of outside responses.

Wisconsin’s response to the virus has been very politicized and that’s factoring into some people’s decision of who to vote for in November. For some it’s further proof of needing to vote in a new leader and for some it’s affirmation that the current president is who they want to keep in office. There are strong emotional responses regardless of who you speak with.

Lauren Justice for BuzzFeed News

Did anything about this project surprise you?
We heard from people on both sides of the political spectrum talk about how they don’t feel seen by those observing Wisconsin from the outside. Those in cities feel like Wisconsin is perceived as only a rural, conservative state and those on farms feel ignored as well. Everyone just wants to feel seen and understood and many are finding it hard to see themselves represented as whole, nuanced individuals. I wouldn’t say this desire is surprising to me, but it is surprising to hear it come from people in both areas at the same time.

Do you have a favorite image from this series?
I’m not sure if I have a favorite image, but I did really enjoy spending time with and photographing the three friends, Alemitu, TeJean, and Hiwot. I’m inspired by the energy young people are bringing to political spaces and their dedication to being involved even when, in some cases, they can’t vote themselves. Brianna Canales was so fun to photograph as well because her love of color and creativity was so easy to see in her style and in the way she carries herself. Being on the farm with Andrea as the sun was starting to lower in the sky was a beautiful way to end my time on the road meeting everyone. You could feel the comfort with and love for the land and animals.

Lauren Justice for BuzzFeed News

Anything else about this project that you'd like to share?
I just want to thank everyone for giving their time to this and sharing even when in some cases they felt hesitant to. Some people were so pressed for time between many other obligations but still met with me because they believe these conversations are important to have. I’m grateful for everyone who shared and hope that their insights and experiences can help build levels of understanding.

📸THE WEEK'S PHOTO STORIES FROM BUZZFEED NEWS 📸

This week, we look at what the next generation wants, and why they are voting. An ambitious photo project out of Cleveland highlights the beautifully highlights residents of the city. And, in desk news, we have a new photo editor on the desk! Pia Peterson started this week and has jumped right in to election prep and other coverage — and she has her first byline, covering photo stories around the internet.

Find more of the week's best photo stories here

GEN-Z IS NOT HAPPY — AND NOW THEY GET TO VOTE

Anna Betts

A GLIMPSE INTO THE HEART OF AMERICA

Ruddy Roye / The Cleveland Public Library

📸SOME HOPE 📸

Alex Wong / Getty Images

Go Vote!

"That's it from us this time — see you next week!" —Kate

📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by the News Photo team. Kate Bubacz is the photo director based in New York and loves dogs. You can always reach us here.
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