This week’s top photo comes from visual journalist intern Giacomo Cain. Follow him on Instagram.
What makes this photo important?
U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson is one of six children to survive their father, civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson. All except one of Rev. Jackson’s children were present for a news conference Wednesday in front of the family's South Shore home. They spoke about their father’s legacy and his global impact. Rev. Jackson had been battling with progressive supranuclear palsy and died Tuesday. He was a groundbreaking icon who fought alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and founded Operation PUSH. His children told emotional stories of who he was as a father and a civil rights leader, describing him as dedicated to his pursuit of social justice. Jonathan Jackson is the second oldest of the siblings, and serves in Congress as a representative of the 1st District of Illinois.
How did you get the photo?
There are only so many different angles you can photograph people standing behind a mic, so once the press conference was finished, I documented interactions between Rev. Jackson's children, supporters, friends and family. With my telephoto lens, I stood on a mound of dirt to see above people’s heads. Given the emotional atmosphere, I was waiting for people to hug, which this photo shows. I try to capture emotion, because it shows real human nature and helps the viewer connect to the story.
While looking around for Rev. Jackson's children, Jonathan walked in my direction and approached a supporter. I raised my camera to my eye and snapped away. This is where my telephoto lens came in handy; I zoomed into Jonathan's face, excluding unnecessary elements and focusing on his expression. I really like his expression in this photo, because at first glance you see anguish, but if you look longer, you might see a hint of a smile. Whatever you see, for me, it makes me think of his love for his father and his passion for continuing his legacy.
Technical details:
Plus, 21 more powerful photos from Sun-Times photographers:
A mourner places flowers at a memorial for Rev. Jesse Jackson outside Rainbow PUSH Coalition Headquarters at 930 E. 50th Street in Hyde Park on Tuesday. Jackson died at 84.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Yusef DuBois Jackson gets emotional while speaking about his late father, the Rev. Jessie Jackson, outside the family home in South Shore on Wednesday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A mourner gets emotional listening to the the late Rev. Jessie Jackson’s children speak about his legacy during a news conference outside their family home in South Shore on the Wednesday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
(From left) Siblings Jesse Jackson Jr., U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson and Ashley Jackson look on as their sister, Santita Jackson, speaks about their late father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, outside their family home in South Shore on Wednesday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Reynaldo “GuAracibo” Rodriguez paints a small piece at Humboldt Park on Monday as temperatures reach a record high for Feb. 16.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Pallbearers for 16-year-old Ofelia Torres carry her casket to the hearse after her funeral Friday at St. William Catholic Church on the Northwest Side. Ofelia, who successfully fought for her father’s release from federal immigration detainment, died Feb. 13 after fighting metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer, according to a news release.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Ruben Torres Maldonado hugs family members and friends Friday after the funeral for his 16-year-old daughter, Ofelia Torres, at St. William Catholic Church on the Northwest Side.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Serena Tam (center), 3, performs during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Students walk back to their seats while others go up a stage during a Chinese New Year celebration at St. Therese Chinese Catholic School in Chinatown on Thursday.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
A child receives the imposition of ashes from Cardinal Blase Cupich during mass outside Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Melrose Park on Wednesday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A congregant receives the imposition of ashes at Holy Name Cathedral on Ash Wednesday.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Members of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership pray over the delegation of spiritual leaders who were entering the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility for the commemoration of Ash Wednesday for detainees in suburban Broadview.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Fidel Marquez, a former ComEd executive who played a role in the conspiracy that brought down former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, walks into the Everett M. Dirksen Federal Courthouse in the Loop for sentencing on Thursday.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Hundreds of students from area high schools rally in Federal Plaza in the Loop during a national high school walkout to protest U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security on Feb. 13. Some students came from as far north as Senn High School and as far south as South Shore International College Prep.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Volunteer Justina Means manages the bonfire on Valentine’s Day during Shedd Aquarium’s volunteer action days at LaGrange Park Woods on Feb. 14.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Eric Adams takes a photo of his son Nathan at Humboldt Park as temperatures reach a record high on Feb. 16.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Voters fill out forms before casting their ballots for the primary election at the early voting supersite in the Loop on Feb. 12.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Henry Louis Gates Jr. speaks with James Montgomery about his family lineage during an event to to honor Montgomery at Trinity United Church of Christ at 400 W. 95th St. in the South Side on Tuesday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Former Chicago police detective Richard Zuley walks out of the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Little Village after a hearing on Wednesday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Gary Times throws a ball to his dogs at Humboldt Park as temperatures reach a record high Monday for Feb. 16.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
People enjoy the record-breaking warm weather along the Lakefront Trail near Belmont Harbor on Monday.