Press Releases

01/18/2008

AP photo of Kennedy, Eisenhower added to exhibit on Cold War at National Portrait Gallery

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The 1962 Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of President Kennedy and former President Eisenhower walking together at Camp David following the Bay of Pigs invasion has been added to an exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.

The Associated Press photograph by Paul Vathis was included in an exhibit titled "The President and the Cold War" after lobbying by AP newsman Larry Margasak. Margasak requested the photograph be displayed after he visited the exhibit a year ago and was dismayed that a different news photo had been used instead of the better-known, prize-winning photo by Vathis.

"Political photojournalism is all about the moment," said J. David Ake, AP assistant chief of bureau/photos in Washington, at a ceremony Friday at the museum in honor of Vathis. "Composition helps, lighting helps, focus helps, but if you don't have the moment, you don't have the picture. Paul had the moment."

The photo was taken in April 1961. It shows Kennedy and Eisenhower in conversation. Their backs are to the camera as they walk down a path. Eisenhower grasps his hat. Vathis was kneeling as he shot the photo between the legs of a Secret Service agent.

Vathis, based in Harrisburg, Pa., worked 56 years for the AP. He died in 2002. Ten members of his family attended the ceremony.

The exhibit opened July 1, 2006, and runs until Feb. 24.
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On the Net:
National Portrait Gallery: http://www.npg.si.edu/