Documenting the Rise of White Nationalism

The rise of White Nationalism goes back much further than Trump. And its not the stereotypical imagery of nazi swastika burning either.

The composition of the images obviously constitute photojournalism, however what is presented here in a sense is creative expression. At the moment, at least in regard to the current “photojournalism” model - the two are not interchangeable. There is no shortage of controversy regarding excessive manipulation, so I’m quite surprised the Times looked beyond that here. Let the photographer’s competency with a camera make the best image possible, not their photoshop finesse.

The compositions are very good. The content is fantastic. They are way over processed. They look more like illustrations than photographs. Every single one of these photos would be more powerful if the photographer had either backed off the excessive processing or used film.

It is worth noting the number of times in these photographs that Trumps name or motto are seen.

These images suffer from too much post-production. Henri Cartier-Bresson managed to capture the decisive moment without photo editing software.

All I saw were the faces of ignorance. A blight which is spreading and encouraged by our president.

Incredibly moving pictures that are truly works of art. Looking at them with my son we sat in silent awe and sadness. As a nation, we are better than this. We have to be.

These photographs frighten me. They should frighten anyone who embraces a democratic society.

It is still amazing and above all sad. how a nation that pretends to be so advance is still a backwater filled with hate, ignorance and stupidity. The downfall of a superpower, as it once occurred in a place called Rome, is playing out right in front of us. If this racist sector continues with this twisted agenda I suggest people start learning Chinese. Everyone is watching and waiting for a big slip, citizens fighting like rats over space and food and privilege. Perhaps this is what will happen that while they're killing themselves over race and gender and privilege and continue separating as a nation someone will walk right in a wooden horse and knock everyone down. Its happened before...

As a seasoned veteran,I offer the highest praise to Mark Preston for his brilliant,daring work.His use of the wide angle lens,thus bringing the viewers along with him and involving them with the story and offering an endorcement of Robert Capa’s instruction - if your pictures aren’t good enough,you’re probably not close enough.Thank you Mark for your incredible journey.

Seriously amazing and disturbing photos. This isn’t about wealth inequality or people being left behind. Let’s just throw that ridiculous canard away now. Many Americans I am told (to borrow a Trumpism) are flat out stupid, uneducated, uninterested, ungrateful racists. They live with a sense of pure entitlement because of the color of their skin and who their ancestors were. They know nothing about true suffering or desperation, as they drive around in ridiculous trucks and get played by the GOP machine.

The photos are really excellent, on every level! Too bad that the reason they are appearing in the Times is to more finely illustrate the flawed narrative that there are only two "sides" to this (or any other) societal controversy: good people who have no bias, prejudice, or conscious racism; and neo nazis. This journalistic binary code is a disservice to readers in the short term. Why? Because by positing things as either/or, you tend to silence the voice that would speak for what most people know from their own experience, vexing contradictions included. It is harmful in the long term because it sets the example that there really are only two sides: right and wrong. Nobody wants to be called a racist...nobody wants to lose (or win) that argument. Most people get the vibe and keep silent. They agree with basic fairness. They also know that they want the best for their families. That means they prefer living among people who share a high level of agreement on how life is lived in their vicinity. This is different from the aspirational drive to better one's material circumstance. Instead, it has more to do with the comfort level of one's own present surroundings. "Will this be a negative in my life, or not?" That is the question. This transcends race and ethnicity, socio-economic class differences, and education levels. And everybody knows it. "At least I got to see some great street photography", that is what I will take away.