Nice Shelves

Even Kal laughed when he saw New York Times reporter Michael S. Schmidt’s background. Throughout the pandemic, Zoom backgrounds have been used to showcase collections and books for sale. This set up was quite a statement.

@NYTMike on Deadline: White House

“Nice shelves. He’s clearly trolling and that’s okay. 3/10” —@ratemyskyperoom

IN THE DETAILS

As insightful as Dr. Jason Johnson’s contributions are on a variety of MSNBC shows, I have fun keeping an eye on how he rearranges his shelves. The blue corner is usually used for his time on Deadline: White House, but Green Lantern appears everywhere. Books, Pop! fi gures, and framed art changes. Follow @DrJasonJohnson for specs.

A screenshots we pulled because there are two Green Lantern figures

Another screenshot we pulled because he changed so many things in the frame

SET IN THE PANDEMIC

My favorite Zoom set up in Yamiche Alcinder’s dramatically lit blue wall with gold planters and white accents, but when I went to look for a good still I found the story of how we got here, starting with no masks in the Rose Garden. Follow @Yamiche. —MV

The first photo in the series designed for print

Last photo in the series designed for print

SOLID BACKGROUNDS

When correspondents began calling in from home, there was a lot to be desired in the angles and lighting. Anne Thompson in particular has come a long way from needing to stack books under her laptop. —MV