I know nominations like this are controversial, so I will say little and leave it to the community to decide. A high resolution, high quality image received through the image submission system of a notable figure in the U.S. military. It was sent to us by the Public Affairs office at United States Special Operations Command, which I am assuming means that the subject requested the office do something about the fact his article was illustrated with a low resolution shot.
As far as I know, no- it was photographed to illustrate his official biography. What's your point? It seems to illustrate him and his character very well. J Milburn (talk) 01:07, 14 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Weak Oppose per the (good and persuasive) reasons given at the Gates nomination. Though technically good, it tells us very little about his character beyond that he has blue eyes, is a four-star general and wears military fatigues. Cowtowner (talk) 23:00, 13 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
This tells us an awful lot. He's opted for his uniform over a suit (and a very soldiery uniform at that- he doesn't even look like an officer to me- note the caption here) and has clearly opted for a photograph without makeup. He's chosen not to smile, and has chosen to have his hair somewhat scruffy and unmodified. I think it's quite clear the kind of man Olsen is. J Milburn (talk) 01:05, 14 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
All of that is possibly true, but wholly speculative. The same arguments were raised about the Gates nom (small not, no makeup, tight lipped) but they apparently did not stand. I am voting primarily on precedence here. Cowtowner (talk) 02:30, 14 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Of course it's wholly speculative. What do you actually want? One of the reasons I struggle with the opposition to this sort of photograph is that it's not clear what you're looking for- what do you want as an alternative? J Milburn (talk) 00:51, 15 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
I suppose the most commonly cited example was the Obama featured picture versus the Obama official image . The featured one offers much greater insight to the character than the posed one. The same argument could be made here. Personally, I am torn. In many ways I agree with the point you are making, but I'm not convinced that is in line with with FP criteria. Cowtowner (talk) 01:56, 15 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
What does the candid shot show that is not also "wholly speculative"? There seems to be no relevant differences between the two shots... J Milburn (talk) 21:44, 16 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Candid shots, by their unposted nature, express the nature of a person more clearly. I don't think there is any mistaking Obama's intensity in the candid shot; this doesn't show through in the other image. Cowtowner (talk) 23:56, 16 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
So we have some wholly speculative intensity... Any guesses we make about the nature of a person from their portrait are going to be wholly speculative. I'm still really not seeing it. J Milburn (talk) 00:35, 17 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Support - High quality of a soldier (yes I know his rank) looking properly soldierly. The gates photo is, I think, different in that it's just a bloke in a suit.....could be an insurance salesman. I can't see how we could get a more appropriate photo of him. - Peripitus(Talk)03:37, 14 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Strong Oppose: I don't think portraits should be considered as a FP. Furthermore, the expression on his face shows a lot of stress and tension, even though he's squeezing a smile in it - it's not a refreshing quality picture. Though, the article is pretty good. NoFlyingCars (talk) 21:38, 16 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Oppose I see the Gates nom has already been cited a couple of times. As I said at the Draper nom above, it can tick all the criterion boxes and still fall well short of representing outstanding content. I don't understand what this portrait offers us that the Gates one didn't, to make it seem to be a worthy candidate. I'm sorry, but neither of them are any more compelling or interesting than a passport photo. mikaultalk21:04, 18 November 2009 (UTC)[reply]
versus the Obama official image 
. The featured one offers much greater insight to the character than the posed one. The same argument could be made here. Personally, I am torn. In many ways I agree with the point you are making, but I'm not convinced that is in line with with FP criteria. Cowtowner (talk) 01:56, 15 November 2009 (UTC)
