44

In the sense that photojournalism is a medium of visual storytelling, then this is in my opinion the best inauguration photo I've found. I've been looking for quite some time at photos, and I have seen far superior photographs. There have been some wonderfully composed images of President Obama and his wife dancing, or parading. There have been photos of the president and his new cabinet. Or of him being sworn in. I've seen a photo of Obama saluting the crowd at his own inauguration.

This photo was not the most well-composed, or the prettiest. It certainly doesn't have the best quality of light. What it does, for me, is tell by far the most interesting and compelling story. This is an image of a file left by President Bush for President Obama. What this image does is serve as a reminder that, while Obama's election and inauguration are a major step toward racial equality in the United States, and that is something worth celebrating, ultimately that isn't what he's here for.

The sticky note--written perhaps in Bush's own hand--does not say 'racial symbol,' or 'the first black president.' It says simply '44.' It reminds us that President Obama doesn't just get to be a symbol of hope or change. He has to actually be president. Our president. For at least the next four years.

Christopher Taylor

(photo from Getty Images, taken by Eric Draper)