What’s To See in the John Edwards Mug Shot

fortunately, i’ve never had a mug shot taken, so i don’t know how they’re done in real life. but in the movies and on television, they are always two separate shots taken from a fixed point of view with the subject doing the turning. the difference between the two moments is striking – as if we can see right into his thoughts.

i’m piggybacking a bit on what you wrote, michael: it seems to me that the head-on smile is the self-assurance of a man who’s been able to talk his way out of any situation when given the chance.

the profile pic on the right shows not only guilt and humiliation, but also a bit of disarmament. in that moment, he has been rid of the power of persuasion afforded him – for nearly his whole life – by his good looks and good boy drawl. he’s just a man arrested, following the orders of some uniformed official.

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on a side and snarky note: remember his two americas theme?