Photo op
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| - | [[Daniel J. Boorstin]]’s ''[[The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-events in America]]'' (1961). | + | A '''photo op''' (sometimes written as '''photo opp'''), short for '''photograph opportunity''' ('''photo opportunity'''), is an opportunity to take a memorable and effective [[photograph]] of a [[politician]], a [[celebrity]], or a notable event. |
| - | The term [[pseudo-event]] was coined by the [[theorist]] and [[historian]] [[Daniel J. Boorstin]] in his 1961 book ''The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-events in America'': | + | The term was coined by the administration of [[President of the United States|US President]] [[Richard Nixon]]. William Safire credited its coinage to [[Bruce Whelihan]], an aide to Nixon [[White House Press Secretary|Press Secretary]] [[Ron Ziegler]]. Ziegler would say ''Get 'em in for a picture'', and Whelihan would dutifully announce to the White House press room, ''There will be a photo opportunity in the Oval Office.'' |
| - | :“The celebration is held, [[Photo Op|photographs are taken]], the occasion is widely reported”. | + | The term has acquired a negative connotation, referring to a carefully planned [[pseudo-event]], often masqueraded as news. It is associated with politicians who perform tasks such as planting trees, picking up litter, and visiting senior citizens, often during [[election]] cycles, with the intent of [[photographer]]s catching the events on film, generating positive [[publicity]]. |
| - | In recognizing the differences between a pseudo-event and a spontaneous event, Boorstin states characteristics of a pseudo-event in his book titled "Hidden History." He says that pseudo events are: dramatic, planned, repeatable, costly, intellectually planned, social, cause other pseudo-events, and that one must know about it to be considered "informed". | + | Among nearly ritual photo ops are those when participants of a [[summit (meeting)|summit]] get out of their cars, shake hands or kiss, or sign a document. Formal, pre-planned photography sessions in the [[White House]] date back to the 1930s, when [[Franklin Roosevelt]]'s [[press secretary]] advised photographers to avoid taking photos of the President in a [[wheelchair]]. |
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Publicity stunt]] | ||
| + | *[[Soundbite]] | ||
| + | *[[Media clip]] | ||
| + | *[[Video clip]] | ||
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Revision as of 13:17, 22 September 2013
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A photo op (sometimes written as photo opp), short for photograph opportunity (photo opportunity), is an opportunity to take a memorable and effective photograph of a politician, a celebrity, or a notable event.
The term was coined by the administration of US President Richard Nixon. William Safire credited its coinage to Bruce Whelihan, an aide to Nixon Press Secretary Ron Ziegler. Ziegler would say Get 'em in for a picture, and Whelihan would dutifully announce to the White House press room, There will be a photo opportunity in the Oval Office.
The term has acquired a negative connotation, referring to a carefully planned pseudo-event, often masqueraded as news. It is associated with politicians who perform tasks such as planting trees, picking up litter, and visiting senior citizens, often during election cycles, with the intent of photographers catching the events on film, generating positive publicity.
Among nearly ritual photo ops are those when participants of a summit get out of their cars, shake hands or kiss, or sign a document. Formal, pre-planned photography sessions in the White House date back to the 1930s, when Franklin Roosevelt's press secretary advised photographers to avoid taking photos of the President in a wheelchair.
See also
