CNN Photos

The ‘media circus’ at the DNC

By Benazir Wehelie, Special to CNN
2 minute read
Published 7:24 PM EDT, Thu July 28, 2016
NBC 10 Philadelphia broadcasts from a press stand above the floor of the Democratic National Convention.
NBC 10 Philadelphia broadcasts from a press stand above the floor of the Democratic National Convention.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Wires pile up in the media pavilion across from the Wells Fargo Center, where the convention is taking place in Philadelphia.
Wires pile up in the media pavilion across from the Wells Fargo Center, where the convention is taking place in Philadelphia.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Interviews are conducted inside the arena.
Interviews are conducted inside the arena.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A cameraman carries gear through a rainstorm outside the arena.
A cameraman carries gear through a rainstorm outside the arena.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A woman has her makeup touched up before going on air.
A woman has her makeup touched up before going on air.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Photographers work inside the arena.
Photographers work inside the arena.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A satellite truck is parked outside of City Hall, where some protesters gathered in downtown Philadelphia.
A satellite truck is parked outside of City Hall, where some protesters gathered in downtown Philadelphia.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Journalists work inside a media tent outside the arena.
Journalists work inside a media tent outside the arena.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A security guard sits in a parking lot past the media entrance to the convention grounds.
A security guard sits in a parking lot past the media entrance to the convention grounds.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
The Facebook Lounge is inside the arena, across from the media pavilion.
The Facebook Lounge is inside the arena, across from the media pavilion.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Media members film Hillary Clinton supporters on the convention floor.
Media members film Hillary Clinton supporters on the convention floor.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Microphones sit on a table on the suite level of the arena, where broadcast networks set up their studios.
Microphones sit on a table on the suite level of the arena, where broadcast networks set up their studios.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A member of the press films protesters outside City Hall.
A member of the press films protesters outside City Hall.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A man works in one of the media tents.
A man works in one of the media tents.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Media members work above the convention floor during a speech.
Media members work above the convention floor during a speech.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
CNN prepares to broadcast from the suite level of the arena.
CNN prepares to broadcast from the suite level of the arena.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A woman works outside one of the broadcast network suites.
A woman works outside one of the broadcast network suites.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A broadcast journalist works inside the arena.
A broadcast journalist works inside the arena.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
WBUR, Boston's NPR station, works inside the media pavilion.
WBUR, Boston's NPR station, works inside the media pavilion.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
Portable trailers are stacked outside the arena for members of the media.
Portable trailers are stacked outside the arena for members of the media.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
A journalist from The Hankyoreh, a South Korean newspaper, rests in the media pavilion.
A journalist from The Hankyoreh, a South Korean newspaper, rests in the media pavilion.
Martin Parr/Magnum Photos for CNN
The 'media circus' at the DNC

Story highlights

Photographer Martin Parr turned his focus on the media at the Democratic convention

This alternative approach provides a look behind the scenes

CNN  — 

The message may differ from convention to convention, but whether it’s Democratic or Republican, there’s always one constant.

British photographer Martin Parr focused his lens this week on what he calls “the media circus” and its many layers.

Whether it is radio stations with their mixing boards and microphones, television networks with their teleprompters and touch-ups, or photographers with their lenses upon lenses, journalists are as ubiquitous as campaign buttons and American flags.

“None of the other photographers seem to be interested in the media, but, to me, they’re absolutely an integral part of the convention scene,” said Parr, who also attended last week’s Republican convention for his first taste of U.S. politics.

Photographer Martin Parr
Photographer Martin Parr

“I’d photograph myself if I could.”

Most of the delegates in the crowd expect to be photographed and filmed constantly – it’s basically de rigueur, Parr said: “If anyone wears a funny hat or has anything different, they’re photographed every five minutes.”

But this alternative approach provides a look behind the scenes and maybe allows us to think about the convention in a way we haven’t already.

What is that anchor sharing with viewers? What questions is that reporter asking? What is the media concerned with at the end of each night? How does that translate into public sentiment and, eventually, votes?

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    “One of the things I like to do is to see how photographers are working and sort of speculate the kind of pictures they’re taking,” Parr said. “And then of course you see the pictures on the screens, on the computers as you walk around.”

    Parr noticed in Cleveland that decorum can break down in the media as everyone’s desperate to get the same thing. It was similar in Philadelphia.

    “It’s very difficult in the convention hall itself because everyone takes the same photographs,” he said.

    Martin Parr is a British photographer represented by Magnum Photos. You can follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.