Between the years of 1961 and 1963 there was a president that left a lasting impression on the United States of America, and that man was John F Kennedy. He was known for his loving family, outgoing and friendly personality, as well as his unfortunate assassination. Even though Kennedy did not get to fulfill his entire four-year term as president, he certainly impacted the lives of millions. One of the most iconic images of Kennedy is when he is in the oval office with his son, John F Kennedy Jr., underneath his desk. This image at first glance is just a playful picture of a father and son, but if one looks closer they can see much more. The image truly shows how John F Kennedy is both a family man and a hard worker through the use of perspective, symbols, and contrast.

When one first views this picture they see the familiar figure of John F Kennedy sitting at his desk in the oval office. Due to the perspective in which this photograph was taken, one is also able to see his son, John F Kennedy Jr., playing under his father’s desk. This perspective allows the viewer to see John F Kennedy at work at his desk, but also spending time with his son simultaneously. The photographer purposefully chose this perspective in order to get his point across to his or her audience. If the image were taken from another perspective, one may not be able to see the full value of the image. This image is significant because it shows that even a man in high power is the equivalent to any other citizen in the country when it comes down to being a father and having a family. 

The image contains many symbols throughout and help add to its meaning. One immediate symbol in the photograph is that of the president. He is seen as someone who has a lot of power in the United States and someone that many children look up to. He is shown working at his desk with a slight grin on his face inside of his office in the White House. There is also an American Flag behind him showing patriotism for the United States of America. Another symbol in the photograph is the oval office. It is one of the most famous rooms within the white house and it is where the president does much of their work. The last symbol in the image is John F Kennedy Jr. underneath his father’s desk. He is pondering out with a playful look on his face. This adds a sense of innocence and childhood to the image. All of these symbols combine to create a whole and show the viewer how John F Kennedy is a hard working man, but he is also a good father. The symbols also all come together to create a sense of American values. To have a job to go to work at every day and to have a family whom loves you is the pursuit of most Americans and it is well represented in this image.

Lastly, the image contains contrast to further express the meaning of the photograph to the viewer. A large contrast in the image is that John F Kennedy, a man who is highly respected and in a high position of power, is playing with his son while in the oval office doing work. The oval office is seen as a place of high status and would not seem like the ideal place to have children exploring and playing around in, however Kennedy does not mind spending time with his son at the same time as he works. This shows the viewer that the president is not just the president; he is a father, son, husband, brother and much more. He is human and has a family just like everyone else. Kennedy was able to work and be the president, while still being able to play with his son. This shows how John F Kennedy was a caring father to his children, but also a hard worker when it came to his position in office. Realizing this helps the viewers get a better understanding of who President Kennedy truly was. He was the type of man who could do both, and do both well. The contrast in this photograph is extremely important because it reveals how Kennedy acted at both of his jobs, as President of the United States of America and as father to his children. 

Through the use of perspective, symbols and contrast, the photographer is able to capture a truly historic photograph that comes with a message. The message is that one can split their time between family and work, and be great at both. Kennedy proved this during the time he was in presidency. All of the visual tools in this photograph work together to create a powerful image that shows the viewer how John F Kennedy was. He was a hard working man who spent as much time as he could with his children, even if he was doing his duties as president. 
