PHOTOS: Capturing the essence of the RNC

Bob Perkoski Thursday, July 28, 2016
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Days before the 2016 Republican National Convention kicked off in earnest, Cleveland was transformed in every possible way: confusing barricades lined the streets while the city's regular denizens were largely absent, with virtual armies of law enforcement and media filling the void alongside political players, protesters and regular folks just trying to navigate through it all.

While there's nothing quite like being there, managing editor Bob Perkoski intrepidly sought out the most evocative images to deliver the jaw-dropping spectacle to Fresh Water readers, who can take it all in amid the comfort of their quiet air conditioned offices and homes.






<span class="content-image-text">Infamous flag-burner Joey Johnson lights one up on Prospect Ave.</span>Infamous flag-burner Joey Johnson lights one up on Prospect Ave.
<span class="content-image-text">Guardians of the Square</span>Guardians of the Square

<span class="content-image-text">Police Chief Calvin Williams confronted by a masked protester</span>Police Chief Calvin Williams confronted by a masked protester
<span class="content-image-text">Just another day at the office for journalists covering the RNC</span>Just another day at the office for journalists covering the RNC

<span class="content-image-text">Having a photo taken in the "mini Oval Office" at the Facebook lounge</span>Having a photo taken in the "mini Oval Office" at the Facebook lounge


<span class="content-image-text">A lone Hillary vendor</span>A lone Hillary vendor




<span class="content-image-text">Love Trumps Hate</span>Love Trumps Hate
<span class="content-image-text">Another protest kiss</span>Another protest kiss

<span class="content-image-text">First night inside the convention center</span>First night inside the convention center
<span class="content-image-text">Trump introducing his wife on the first night of the RNC</span>Trump introducing his wife on the first night of the RNC
<span class="content-image-text">Police Chief Calvin Williams starts an impromptu peace prayer circle - looks like it worked!</span>Police Chief Calvin Williams starts an impromptu peace prayer circle - looks like it worked!


Read a roundup of Bob Perkoski's live social media coverage of the RNC here.

Bob Perkoski
Bob Perkoski

About the Author: Bob Perkoski

Bob is managing photographer with FreshWater as well as a Cleveland freelance photographer. His photographic approach is rooted in the art of storytelling. Whether freezing the energy of an event, encapsulating the magic of a performance, or astutely anticipating the decisive moments, his work displays an innate ability to distill the essence of any scene or subject into a single frame or series of work. In addition, Bob is the official photographer for LAND studio and Holden Forest and Gardens and has worked with various Cleveland organizations. In 2019 he published a book of his photos Rust Belt Burlesque. He's had work published in other books like LGBTQ Cleveland by Ken Schneck, Rust Belt Chic: The Cleveland Anthology, Rust Belt Chic: The Pittsburgh Anthology and Moon Cleveland by Douglas Trattner. Previously he was co-founder/art director for Balanced Living Magazine. You can view his versatile portfolio of work, which includes news coverage, portraiture, architectural and fine art at Perkoski Photography. Originally from Conneaut, Ohio, Perkoski now lives close to the city in Parma. He has been Fresh Water's managing photographer since the publication's September 2010 inception.

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