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Oct. 10: Week in Photography
Your lens to the internet's most powerful photographs. 📸 MOST POWERFUL PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📸 Nicholas Kamm / AFP / Getty Images Without a doubt, the story that has gripped the United States this week has been President Donald Trump's coronavirus diagnosis. Trump, who has repeatedly downplayed the virus and dismissed the toll it has taken on the country while more than 214,000 Americans have died, urged the country in a taped address to "not let the virus dominate their lives" shortly after being released from the hospital, where he was treated for COVID-19.
As the president continues to put his staff at risk of possible exposure by working in the Oval Office, and as he continues to be a leading cause of misinformation about the pandemic that has upended everyday America, this image by Nicholas Kamm of Trump removing his mask to address the nation is the most powerful photo of this week.
📸For Your 👀 Only: HOW WIRES ARE COVERING THE WHITE HOUSE NOW This week, we spoke with Erin Scott, a freelance photographer in DC who has been covering the White House and all its drama for the past week — from a memorial for victims of the coronavirus to the infamous Rose Garden announcement of Amy Coney Barrett to the departure and return of Trump following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
How did you get started as a photographer, and what's your favorite type of event to cover?
I was a journalism major in college, and my first job was at a small local newspaper in South Carolina. Covering huge political events is exciting, but I also love the kind of intimate storytelling you can do when you dive into someone's life or a social issue. Erin Scott / Reuters What's it like going from a memorial for COVID victims to covering the current situation at the White House?
Seeing major events from many sides makes clear the gravity of the work we're doing in sharing these stories. And that perspective has been powerful all year. I've been in the streets covering Black Lives Matter protests, and the next day I'm photographing a congressional hearing on the subject. The more jarring assignments feel, the more I know I need to bridge the gap between how different people experience the same situations.
What's the overall mood at the White House this week? Has that shifted since Trump tested positive?
The White House press corps has taken COVID-19 safety pretty seriously for months now, so I got used to feeling cautious at work. But this past week, with the spike in cases and conflicting information coming from the administration, there's been more concern than ever among the press. We're all just doing our best to keep each other safe! I'm thankful we have an association that advocates on our behalf to the administration and sets safety guidelines for us to follow while at the White House. Erin Scott / Reuters Can you talk about any surprises or challenges that have come up while covering politics in the past week?
This week feels like it was 100% surprises! The two biggest challenges became logistics and keeping a cool head. For example, when Trump announced he was leaving Walter Reed, editors only had a couple hours to get a photographer in several positions: inside the Walter Reed campus for Trump's departure, outside the campus for public reaction, inside the White House for his arrival, and outside the White House for more public reaction and bigger scenic images. And of course, no pressure on the photographer responsible for that position, right?
In the last week, you've covered a lot of people who have tested positive, from White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany to the president. Can you talk about what precautions you're taking?
Besides the usual CDC guidelines, I wear an N95 mask when I'm at the White House and try to stay outside as long as I can. I recently texted my mom a picture of my step stool on the sidewalk that I was using as a makeshift desk while I sat on the ground. It's pretty glamorous. Erin Scott / Reuters Has your approach to photos shifted at all since the pandemic began? Within the last week?
It's been interesting trying to distance and shoot with longer lenses these past few months. And by interesting, I mean harder! I've learned when to jump in and out of a crowd, and when to stay back the whole time with a telephoto. I'm more aware of my physical presence than I was before, both out of concern for myself and my subjects. Erin Scott / Reuters 📸THE WEEK'S PHOTO STORIES FROM BUZZFEED NEWS 📸 This week, we are trying to keep calm and carry on before the election. There's a few great stories in the works that we can't wait to share with you. In the meantime, here's some joy.
Find more of the week's best photo stories here. THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING: THE FULL INTERVIEW ABOUT MARY ELLEN MARK Mary Ellen Mark SEE THE FULL STORY
CHINATOWN'S COOLEST SENIORS PROVE AGE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH STYLE Chinatown Pretty SEE THE FULL STORY
📸SOME HOPE 📸 Jonathan Nackstrand / AFP / Getty Images Greta is still keeping a single-minded mission on climate change, which is truly an inspiration in these turbulent times. "That's it from us this time — see you next week!" —Kate “We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.”— Ralph Hattersley Want More? Go To JPG Homepage
📝 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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