PHOTO OP

A 'photo op', short for 'photograph opportunity' ('photo opportunity'), is an opportunity that results in a memorable and effective photograph of a politician, a celebrity, or a notable event. "Photo Op", an article about the buzzword at a BBC webpage
The term has acquired a negative connotation, referring to a carefully planned pseudo-event, often masqueraded as news.^[1]
The phrase is often thought of in a political sense, relating to politicians who do things such as plant trees, pick up litter, and visit senior citizens, often during election cycles, with the intent of photographers catching the events on film, generating good publicity.
Among nearly-ritual photo-ops are those when participants of a summit get out of their cars, shake hands or kiss, or sign a document. Formal, pre-planned photography sessions in the White House date back to the 1930s, when Franklin Roosevelt's press secretary advised photographers to avoid taking photos of the President in a wheelchair.^[2]
Another usage of the term refers to a pre-arranged opportunity to make a photo in a memorable surrounding, e.g., in an amusement park, a zoo, after a show, etc. ^[3]

Contents

See also

References

See also

★ Publicity stunt

★ Soundbite

★ Media clip

★ video clip

References

1. "Commentary (The Photo Opportunity)", from CBS Evening News for Saturday, July 27, 1991; at the Vanderbilt University TV News archive
2. "Photo Op"
3. "Photo Op" among dynosaurs