Photo Analysis - Assignment 2

I believe photo 2 from the Christian Science Monitor gives me the most confidence in his leadership ability.  The president is sitting at a table with his arms extended in front of him.  His hands are positioned in a way to represent he is explaining something.  He has a look of resolve on his face which is a contrast from that of the first photo in which he appears lost in thought or even worried.  In the first photo it is such a close shot that it was most definitely posed.  I think that with this type of tragedy happening most people would find it strange that he stopped and posed for a picture.  The second photo was definitely not posed as he was addressing reporters.  The first picture is of just the president, where as the second has someone with more expertise of the ocean and gulf.  The president is wearing the same clothing in both pictures, no coat or tie, just a button down light blue checkered shirt with his top button undone.  I believe this was purposeful as to show that he has been working consistently since learning of the disaster.  The background contains pictures taken of the effort to clean up as well as a map showing where and what is being done to coordinate the effort.  The American flag is shown predominantly to the left of the president and coast guard admiral.  The first photo has an entirely blurred background however  you can tell that is the president sitting in front of the same map showing the coordination effort.  The angle of the camera is taken from directly in front of the president taken with a wide angle lens to get more of the background.  The first photo was taken at an angle slightly below the president and was taken very close to him.  I believe the first photo is trying to show just how seriously the president is taking the situation, no suit, top button undone and the look of being lost in thought, however it does not show what kind of action he is taking to fix the problem.  The second photo shows that he is collaborating, the response has already began and that they are planning to do more.  My knowledge is that this disaster was very dangerous as it took many attempts to stop the oil flow and millions of people were affected.  This was also an environmental disaster for all the wildlife that called the gulf and the gulf coast home.  With this being such a disaster, the one is sending the message that he is ready for action and has plans in place, the other photo appears to be the president sitting quietly in thought.  At the time these pictures were taken the spill was getting worse and people were screaming for action to stop BP from being in control of the clean up.  Some questions I have would be  1) Why would the president be posing for pictures at this time? 2) Was the posed picture an attempt to show how long the president had been working on the disaster?  3) Why was the presdient seated in the picture with the admiral and what does that signify?  I think him sitting down was almost a sign to some people that he was not doing enough.