# Annie Liebowitz Official Obama Family Portrait **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 24, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009 "2009-10-24T22:36:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/21 "2009-10-25T03:13:24Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > Oh my goodness, that is unfortunate. Worse than phantom objects sprouting out of people’s heads. > > (To clarify, when I said Photoshopped before I didn’t mean that it had been touched up –everything is – but that it was heavily edited, including adjusting elements that most professional photographers would take care of while shooting rather than in post-production.) I’m really curious as to what would be heavily edited in this photo. Can you detail that? ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/22 "2009-10-25T03:22:58Z")
> [@Green\_Bean](#): > > Sheesh, it’s like one of those “how many things can you find wrong with this picture” puzzles. > > Let’s make a list. > > –Barack has a weird disembodied hand on his shoulder. > –Except it’s not really Barack. It’s some other guy wearing one of those rubber whole-head Halloween masks over his normally-sized head. > –Sasha is not in the photo either. Some random kid is there instead. > –The random kid is wearing a picture frame as a hat. > –The regular wallpaper has been replaced with one of those freaky-deaky optical illusion patterns. > –Malia’s chin has been drastically enlarged. > –“Barack,” the random kid, and Malia have been made much larger in relation to Michelle, making her look like a pipsqueak. > –The hair on the left side of Michelle’s head has been airbrushed out and replaced with a picture of a black hole. > –It looks like Malia just shat a pink flower. > –Which doesn’t seem to bother the fireplace guy who is committing statutory rape. –The First Lady has this rather.._.intense_ look on her face, as if she’s been sitting there too long with a smile that’s starting to feel phony and is thinking, “Just _take_ the damn picture already!” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/23 "2009-10-25T03:32:39Z")
I don’t think it’s awful, but it’s undistinguished, and I don’t think the color of the room compliments their skin tone, so that looks weird. Compared to Oba[ma’s official portrait](http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/new_official_portrait_released/), which I like, this is weak. They’re a good looking family and I’m surprised this was the best thing that came out of the session. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/24 "2009-10-25T03:53:33Z")
I can’t figure out what everybody’s talking about about Sasha’s hand. It looks a little odd, because of how she’s holding it, but ‘disembodied’? The upper arm is clearly visible going behind her father’s neck on the Large or Original versions on Flickr (and even on Medium, it’s not that hard to see), and while he’s obscuring her shoulder and her biceps, it’s not hard to see how it goes from where it passes behind his neck and when it meets her body. The problem is that, even with him sitting, and her standing, Barack’s taller. So her upper arm is lower than her forearm…then, combine that with the way she’s letting her wrist droop, gives a weird illusion about the shape of her arm. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/25 "2009-10-25T03:57:07Z")
I don’t think the First Lady’s smile is forced-looking. YMMV. I just noticed the light-and-dark balance of the photo - the President and Sasha on the left mostly in white, the First Lady and Malia on the right in dark clothes. Come to think of it, this is the first “official First Family photo” I can think of. I don’t remember the Bushes, Clintons, GHWB etc. having one - of if they did, it probably didn’t draw as much attention as this one. Having the youngest kids in the White House since Caroline and JFK Jr. might have something to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/26 "2009-10-25T04:11:09Z")
> [@elelle](#): > > I’m really curious as to what would be heavily edited in this photo. Can you detail that? I am no expert, but choosing facial expressions from different photos and melding them into one isn’t out of the question. Neither is mixing different bodies from different photos (occasionally resulting in [Photoshop Disasters](http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/2009/02/vanity-fair-sleeve-it-out.html)). FTR, I don’t see any evidence of it here, not that I have a keen eye. Most of the notes about [this Mad Men shoot](http://jezebel.com/5378098/vogues--november-cover-photoshop-of-horrors) are lost on me. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/27 "2009-10-25T04:29:27Z")
If I were Malia, I’d be screaming, “OMFG! Is my ASS really that GINORMOUS?” ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/28 "2009-10-25T04:53:45Z")
Right, I see what you are saying now. But, with this Obama photo , I think it is pretty much on the mark, with some touch ups, but no over the top photoshopping. On my lunch hour today, I linked to a blindingly huge version of the photo, which actually told me that this was a high quality professional image, and didn’t give the usual —oh, but yeah-- little folderall with a lesser image. Probably some smoothing touch-ups. The good quality of this photo is the way it makes a break from formal photos, not just the kids standing still next to their parents, but arms and hands touching, in loving gesture. It really is a breakthrough photo in terms of a First Family in modern terms, not just standing side to side, but being quite together. The more I look at it, the more I appreciate that. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/29 "2009-10-25T05:32:44Z")
Does everything always have to be the same? I really like the way it makes them look like a real, authentically happy family. I think it’s awesome. ---
**Author:** ![maplekiwi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@maplekiwi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maplekiwi)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/30 "2009-10-25T06:42:30Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > They have names, you know. “Older daughter” is Malia; “younger daughter” is Sasha. Sorry, I’m from NZ. I couldn’t tell you the names of John Key’s children either. Usually over here politicians’ private lives remain private. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/31 "2009-10-25T07:58:53Z")
I didn’t like it at first, but it really grew on me. They look like a loving happy family. I like how the photo makes it feel like they live and belong in the White House. If doors were closed and things were centered and everything was perfectly framed, I think it would make the family look out of place. But as it is the photo manages to convey the two essential but contradictory messages- that they are a family of top standing, but also ordinary people. There manages to be some spontaneity in the picture without sacrificing it’s gravity. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/32 "2009-10-25T08:23:31Z")
The thing that bothers me the most is that Barack and youngest daughter\* are both wearing white. I would have put the girl in a different outfit or switched them around. Since I actually don’t see pics of the Obamlets too often, I found it interesting that the eldest looks a bit more like dad and the youngest more like mom, at least in my opinion. It’s not my job to memorize the kids names. I have enough trouble keeping my own two straight. ---
**Author:** ![PrettyVacant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/49beb7/32.png) [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/33 "2009-10-25T10:04:31Z")
I quite like it. It’s a slightly different take on the ‘family in a formal location’ thing. I guess we can’t have the Kennedy kids playing on the presidential carpets forever. Couple of chairs pushed together, family bunched around for the shot, unconsidered/incidental background . . . casual. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/34 "2009-10-25T11:35:23Z")
Pretty good on first impression - they’re a photogenic family. It’s not done the youngest kid many favours, but she still looks genuine. Reading the thread I can see what people mean with the various minor flaws in it - the hand on Barack’s shoulder in particular looks odd, makes his daughter appear to have a very long arm. Still, first glance it’s a good piece IMO. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/35 "2009-10-25T12:20:18Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Does everything always have to be the same? > > I really like the way it makes them look like a real, authentically happy family. I think it’s awesome. Agree. > [@even\_sven](#): > > They look like a loving happy family. I like how the photo makes it feel like they live and belong in the White House. If doors were closed and things were centered and everything was perfectly framed, I think it would make the family look out of place. But as it is the photo manages to convey the two essential but contradictory messages- that they are a family of top standing, but also ordinary people. Agree. OTOH – thanks, whoever, for the link to that blog. I get _Vogue_ and had a serious WTF reaction when I got the new issue – that’s the cover? Really? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/36 "2009-10-25T12:54:11Z")
Well, for all the things people do not like about it, the thing I notice is how beautiful Michelle is. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/37 "2009-10-25T13:29:02Z")
I think the picture is ok but what’s up with the puffy tube things on the bottom of Michelle’s dress?? ---
**Author:** ![tacoloco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tacoloco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tacoloco)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/38 "2009-10-25T13:49:11Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Does everything always have to be the same? > > I really like the way it makes them look like a real, authentically happy family. I think it’s awesome. Since the much revered Liebowitz shot it, it supposed to be really awesome. Not local pro photographer awesome. This is a snapshot that anyone with a decent eye could have take. And it has all kinds of issues that distract the viewer from the important thing, the people being photographed. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/39 "2009-10-25T14:23:54Z")
Compare to her take on the Bush Administration: [The Neoconservative Blame Game | Vanity Fair](http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2006/12/neocons200612) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009/40 "2009-10-25T16:46:06Z")
Is there a string attached to Malia’s dress, pulling it to the right? The more I look at this picture, the worse it appears. Do they get a do over next year? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/annie-liebowitz-official-obama-family-portrait/515009.md?page=3)