This week’s top photo comes from Assistant Photo Editor Pat Nabong. Follow her on Instagram.
Why is this photo important?
The photo features the Nelson Mandela Skyroom at the Obama Presidential Center Museum. It’s arguably one of the most distinct and striking features of the museum, which opened to the press for preview on Wednesday. The skyroom ceiling features “Sky of Hope,” an art installation by Idris Khan. Victoria Miro, a gallery that represents Khan, describes the work as “an immersive, site-specific painting for the Museum’s Skyroom, consisting of thousands of hand-stamped words referencing President Obama’s Selma speech — the same text that is permanently sculpted into the building’s exterior. Radiating from the apex of the ceiling, the words will create a contemplative environment inviting visitors to reflect on democracy and the power of public voice.”
The museum, which marks history as the first presidential museum in Chicago, will open to the public on June 19.
How did you get the photo?
Every corner of the room was photogenic, so many possible angles were competing for my attention. While the letters on the windows would have produced a beautiful silhouette image, I knew I wanted to highlight the triangular ceiling, the words seemingly streaming down from it and the warm light coming from top. It was a challenge to include everything in the frame since my widest lens was a 24mm. Because most visitors were standing close to the window, the composition felt flat and the center of the frame felt empty, so I crouched as low as I could and waited for the person in the suit to walk into the frame.
Technical details:
- Equipment: Sony A7IV with a 24-70mm lens
- Focal length: 24mm
- Shutter: 1/400
- Aperture: F/4.0
- ISO: 400
Plus, more great photos from Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ photojournalists:
Mary Frakes and her grandson, Gino, 4, who are from Indiana, participate in an interactive bedside show called “Let’s Go Camping!” at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in Streeterville on May 20. The program was developed by Elizabeth Horn, associate professor at Northwestern University, and brings shows to children staying in the hospital.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A Hyde Park Academy student protests the closing of the campus’ “peace room” at a press conference outside the South Side high school on May 28. The peace room was used to resolve conflicts and operated in partnership with community organization Southside Together which utilizes restorative justice practices.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
From left, Madelon Gorman, sister, Tom Gorman, father, and Jessica Gorman, mother of Sheridan Gorman, speak to the press after a hearing for Jose Medina at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Little Village on Monday. Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot on the lakefront in Rogers Park in March.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times