Some people knew they'd be heading to the Inauguration weeks in advance. But Traveler photographer Catherine Karnow made a last-minute decision to hop a flight cross-country to witness history. On Tuesday morning, she stood alone on the Mall with her camera. She got the amazing shot below, and here, she tells us the story behind it.
I wasn't planning to go to the inauguration. I was going to stay home in San Francisco, watch it on TV, and then go to my brother's house for fish soup and champagne.
Then on Sunday night at nine o'clock, I suddenly decided I must be in Washington, so I booked a seat on United and started packing cameras and long underwear. I arrived late Monday night, studied the inauguration website for rules and routes, repacked to get all my gear to fit in a tiny evening bag (the only small shoulder bag that I had), and slept for two hours.
I wanted to be on the Metro by 4:30 a.m., as the warnings about crowds and access had me extremely worried. One friend had told me that she was denied access onto the Mall during Sunday's concerts because "it was full." The Mall was full? I wasn't taking any chances. My plan was to get to the Lincoln Memorial, park myself in front of a JumboTron and be amongst the people and the excitement. I didn't need to be close to the Capitol, just fully immersed in the crowd.
I arrived in town at 5:30 a.m. It was pitch dark, and already people were streaming towards the Mall. I went with the flow, and ended up at a spot much closer than intended, within a clear view of the Capitol. People were strewn on the ground, sleeping on cardboard and wrapped in blankets; it was bitterly cold. I decided to stay where I was. I wanted to be near a screen, and be surrounded by people who felt right and whom I wanted to photograph. It was important to me to be in the right place. This felt right, somehow.
I wasn't planning to go to the inauguration. I was going to stay home in San Francisco, watch it on TV, and then go to my brother's house for fish soup and champagne. Then on Sunday night at nine o'clock, I suddenly decided I must be in Washington, so I booked a seat on United and started packing cameras and long underwear. I arrived late Monday night, studied the inauguration website for rules and routes, repacked to get all my gear to fit in a tiny evening bag (the only small shoulder bag that I had), and slept for two hours.
I wanted to be on the Metro by 4:30 a.m., as the warnings about crowds and access had me extremely worried. One friend had told me that she was denied access onto the Mall during Sunday's concerts because "it was full." The Mall was full? I wasn't taking any chances. My plan was to get to the Lincoln Memorial, park myself in front of a JumboTron and be amongst the people and the excitement. I didn't need to be close to the Capitol, just fully immersed in the crowd.
I arrived in town at 5:30 a.m. It was pitch dark, and already people were streaming towards the Mall. I went with the flow, and ended up at a spot much closer than intended, within a clear view of the Capitol. People were strewn on the ground, sleeping on cardboard and wrapped in blankets; it was bitterly cold. I decided to stay where I was. I wanted to be near a screen, and be surrounded by people who felt right and whom I wanted to photograph. It was important to me to be in the right place. This felt right, somehow.
I stayed there for several hours trying to keep warm and photographing
those around me. I was elated to have come alone; I could connect
better with the people. A few times I had to leave my spot, and
panicked when I couldn't easily find my way back. I wanted to be with
my inauguration friends. Also, at my spot, there was breathing room,
whereas, oddly, it was more crowded behind us.
On the screen they were playing Sunday's concert and we all danced to Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" and sang along with Pete Seeger's "This Land is Your Land." I had made friends with Earlean Jackson and her grandson LaVon Williams, who could read lips and was able to tell me what Colin Powell and Elie Weisel were saying to each other. (Elie Wiesel said, "You did the right thing," to Colin Powell. Intriguing.)
At eleven the grand pooh-bahs were shown coming onto the dais: the Senate, the Supreme Court Justices, and so on. When Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill played "Air and Simple Gifts," I wept at the sheer poignant beauty of it. I was immensely proud that the world was hearing such a gentle piece of music, and that it was this composition that preceded Obama's swearing-in. And then all of a sudden it was noon, and there was Obama, coming to the podium. He said the oath, stumbling (but because perhaps Roberts had read it differently than he was supposed to) and then that was it, Barack Obama was President!
The crowd erupted into shouts and cries of jubilation: a huge wave of joy all around me. Earlean threw her arms into the air cheering. We hugged, crying and crying. When had I ever been in such a crowd of people who were so ecstatically and collectively happy for such deep and important reasons. Americans could finally feel proud. In particular, so many thousands of African Americans could finally feel a sense of hope and acceptance.
Photo: Catherine Karnow
On the screen they were playing Sunday's concert and we all danced to Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" and sang along with Pete Seeger's "This Land is Your Land." I had made friends with Earlean Jackson and her grandson LaVon Williams, who could read lips and was able to tell me what Colin Powell and Elie Weisel were saying to each other. (Elie Wiesel said, "You did the right thing," to Colin Powell. Intriguing.)
At eleven the grand pooh-bahs were shown coming onto the dais: the Senate, the Supreme Court Justices, and so on. When Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Gabriela Montero, and Anthony McGill played "Air and Simple Gifts," I wept at the sheer poignant beauty of it. I was immensely proud that the world was hearing such a gentle piece of music, and that it was this composition that preceded Obama's swearing-in. And then all of a sudden it was noon, and there was Obama, coming to the podium. He said the oath, stumbling (but because perhaps Roberts had read it differently than he was supposed to) and then that was it, Barack Obama was President!
The crowd erupted into shouts and cries of jubilation: a huge wave of joy all around me. Earlean threw her arms into the air cheering. We hugged, crying and crying. When had I ever been in such a crowd of people who were so ecstatically and collectively happy for such deep and important reasons. Americans could finally feel proud. In particular, so many thousands of African Americans could finally feel a sense of hope and acceptance.
Photo: Catherine Karnow
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How funny, I just came across this now after sending you an email earlier tonight.
A fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of woman! Just like me--I love it! What a great account of your adventure. Thank you for sharing Catherine!
What a magnificently emblematic photograph Catherine. Congratulations for having followed your gut feeling and earned your place to be in the most beautiful spot in the world at that moment. Thank you.
I too went last minute (granted Baltimore is a wee bit closer to DC that SF). Best decision I ever made!
anne
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anne_ditty/sets/72157612759611823/
Great photos Anne! I made it out to the mall as well, and I'm only just starting to feel my toes again!
This photo really does capture the mood and feel of Inauguration Day. I also love the spontaneity and perseverance that brought you to the point where you could take this photo!
I was fortunate to have marched in the inaugural parade with Peace Corps and was moved to tears several times during the day. We essentially waited for close to 12 hours (some of it outside in the cold) in order to march for 30 minutes - it was all worth it though!
I was lucky enough to be there with my camera as well. It was an amazing day! Catherine's photo is wonderful.
You can check out a few of my photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lego_films/sets/72157612872632168/
Catherine's fabulous photo really captures the feeling of the day. I was a last minute attendee as well. What a great day.