My new favorite photo from Inauguration Day.

[gauguin57]

From Time magazine's photo essay "behind the scenes" ...

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

1. Mine too.

I bought the Time Magazine issue where the picture can be found. That is my favorite moment of the day from Tuesday; when the news camera was showing Obama as he was walking through the Capitol before he came out to the podium area.

[TankLV]

2. Mine's the one of Obama and Michelle walking down Penn Ave waving and smiling...

[CTyankee]

3. I'm not crazy about the trance like picture. I don't think of Obama as being that kind of guy.

So I think it was just a moment where he closed his eyes, briefly, and took a deep breath. He's entitled! I just don't like the fact that the camera records a message I don't think was intended...I may be wrong...

[gauguin57]

6. I didn't think he was "trance-like" ... I just thought he was praying.

I sure would be praying like the dickens if I were about to take on the job of Leader of the Free World!

[Raine]

13. I think so too

and he wanted a few minutes to reflect on the enormity of what he's taking on, gathering his strength for everything ahead of him.

[The Backlash Cometh]

16. I think you're reading it wrong.

The photo captured the moment he changed from human to superman.

[Aristus]

4. "Oooooohmmmmmm!"

B-)

I'm still stunned with happiness...

[Gregorian]

5. Basking in the glory.

He did it not just for himself, but for all African Americans who were present. I swear I could sense that.

[CTyankee]

7. Yeah, you could sense it. I liked that. It was great...n/t

[Fire1]

8. In the words of James Brown, "Say it Loud.................."

[kwenu]

9. He's just trying to relax himself and keep cool. A big moment was at hand.

[seaker]

10. Interesting

Isn't it interesting how we create meaning from a still photo? My take is Mr. O standing serene and secure in the moment with a touch of savor.

[stillcool]

11. I look at it..

and see the enormity of the moment.

[calimary]

12. Welcome to DU! All I could think of while watching him just before The Big Moment

was how he must surely be thinking - "I wish my mom and dad and grandma were here to see this."

Looks like he's saying a little teeny meditative prayer before all the craziness begins in earnest. Those were his last moments of quiet and solitude and simplicity before he took on the big job with the big title and big perks and big responsibilities.

[seaker]

15. You are very kind

Thank you. I like your 'take' on the photo too.

[calimary]

18. Thanks! I just know from the standpoint of being a parent when my kids do something

great (or I do for that matter). And eventually I always come around to thinking - "hmmm... it'd be cool if my dad/mom were here to see this." My kid's band is really starting to make some gains, and my dad was hugely into music - even sang with a big band back in the day when he was a teenager. He would have LOVED to see what my son's doing now. He'd have been SO proud. I swear I could almost see him up there on stage supervising when our son and his band played The Whisky a Go Go a week or so ago.*

I'm absolutely certain that Obama was thinking about the gravity of the moment, his white mom from Kansas and his black dad from Kenya and who he is because of them and what he was able to build of himself from that unique start, AND he was SURELY thinking about his grandma who just recently died - just a day or so too soon to see her precious grandson elected President of the United States. I'd bet money that this crossed his mind on the way out to take his seat out there that day. The people dearest to him from back the farthest in his life, on whose shoulders he stood, and whose spirits he undoubtedly felt around him that MOST special day. He was probably speaking to the three of them in his mind - thanking them yet again and telling them he was carrying them out there to the front row and to THAT podium, in his heart.

( *just in case you're curious, www.acidicband.com )

[babylonsister]

14. Inhaling the moment, and the responsibility that goes with it.

So much to inhale...

[SocialLib]

17. Incredible man

Beyond words

[Born_A_Truman]

19. To me he's thinking of his mother and grandmother