Photographing America’s Polarizing Political Process

3 minute read

In 1955, the Swiss photographer Robert Frank crisscrossed America, creating the now iconic work, The Americans, which drew the controversial picture of an imperfect country. Sixty years later, another young photographer hailing from Switzerland, Cédric von Niederhäusern, has followed Frank’s steps to see America and its politics. His goal is simple: to understand how America has become so divided as it elects its next president.

Von Niederhäusern started photographing politics in America in Amarillo, Texas, last year. “That was the first time I was in contact with politics,” says the New York-based photographer, who began his career in his native Switzerland, but was always fascinated by U.S. democratic system. “I sensed a huge polarization going on from the outside but I didn’t understand till I came to Amarillo and I saw that there is a big gap between Republicans and Democrats and people don’t talk to each other.”

For von Niederhäusern, this polarization is at the center of the problem. “Left and right, there are few places where people can come together to discuss on a rational level,” he says. “It’s so dramatized and it’s polarizing people even more.” And while von Niederhäusern has been covering the presidential campaign, it’s not his focus. Instead, he says, he’s interested in seeing how politicians’ decisions and actions are affecting the voters.

To achieve that, the Swiss photographer has chosen a more symbolic approach. “I’m there, I’m feeling a moment and I try to put that in my pictures,” he says. “Photography is like an empathy trigger and I love the magic of how it can communicate emotion to people on the opposite side of the planet.” His pictures often show the fringe of the events he’s covering – with the candidates often relegated to the background or, even, completely blurred. “I’m a very quiet person,” he says. “I like the quiet moments when people are off guard and self reflective.”

Cédric von Niederhäusern is a recent graduate of ICP’s Visual Journalism and Documentary program.

Natalie Matutschovsky, who edited this photo essay, is a Senior Photo Editor at TIME.

11-November-2015-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
November 11, 2015 - New York, New York: Participants lining up on 5th Avenue and 42nd Street for the Veterans Day parade.Cédric von Niederhäusern
30-Jan-2016---New-York,-USA--Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
January 30, 2016 - New York, New York: A supporter is rallying for Democratic Party presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on a march from Union Square to Zuccotti Park.Cédric von Niederhäusern
05-Feb-2016---Manchester,-New-Hampshire-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
February 5, 2016 - Manchester, New Hampshire: Democratic Party officials are running a slideshow at the 2016 McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Celebration.Cédric von Niederhäusern
14-Dec-2015---Charlottesville,-Virginia--Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
December 14, 2015 - Charlottesville, Virginia: The statue of founding father George Washington close to the lawn of the University of Virginia. Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-3
04 Feb 2016 - Exeter, New Hampshire - Supporters are waiting for Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump to arrive for his speech at the Exeter Town Hall.Cédric von Niederhäusern
04-Jan-2016---Amarillo,-Texas---Portrait-of-Garry-Hassel,-weapon-collector-and-shooting-instructor,-with-his-pistol-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
January 4, 2016 - Amarillo, Texas: Portrait of Garry Hassel, weapon collector and shooting instructor, with his pistol on the shooting range of the Amarillo Rifle & Pistol Club. Cédric von Niederhäusern
05-Feb-2016---Manchester,-New-Hampshire---Supporters-of-presidential-candidate-Hillary-Clinton-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
February 5, 2016 - Manchester, New Hampshire: Supporters of presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the 2016 McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Celebration in the Verizon Arena.Cédric von Niederhäusern
05-Feb-2016_29_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
February 5, 2016 - Manchester, New Hampshire: Democratic Party presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks at the 2016 McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Celebration in the Verizon Arena.Cédric von Niederhäusern
05-Feb-2016---Manchester,-New-Hampshire--Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
February 5, 2016 - Manchester, New Hampshire: Members of the Democratic Party attend the 2016 McIntyre-Shaheen 100 Club Celebration in the Verizon Arena, to hear Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton speak.Cédric von Niederhäusern
07-Feb-2016---Londonderry,-New-Hampshire---A-boy-stands-encircled-by-family-at-a-Marco-Rubio-Pancake-event-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
February 7, 2016 - Londonderry, New Hampshire: A boy stands encircled by his family at a Marco Rubio Pancake event. Cédric von Niederhäusern
04-Feb-2016_cvn_Cityuponahill-2-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
February 4, 2016 - Exeter, New Hampshire: Republican presidential candidate Donald J. Trump is giving a speech in Exeter Town Hall.Cédric von Niederhäusern
19-March-2016---Manhattan,-New-York---CNN-correspondent-Sara-Ganim--Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
March 19, 2016 - New York, New York: CNN correspondent Sara Ganim (center) observes the arrest of a person by the NYPD after a small skirmish at a rally against republican candidate Donald J. Trump in Midtown.Cédric von Niederhäusern
21-March-2016_27_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
March 31, 2016 - New York, New York: People gather in St. Marys Park in the South Bronx to attend a Bernie Sanders Rally. It's the first time a candidate made a campaign stop in the South Bronx since 1980.Cédric von Niederhäusern
02-Apr-2016---Sunset-Park,-New-York-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
April 2, 2016 - New York, New York: Relatives and friends are attending Steven's baptism party in the primarily Mexican neighborhood Sunset Park.Cédric von Niederhäusern
14-Apr-2016---Laredo,-Texas---Heidy-Animas-Lazcano-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
April 14, 2016 - Laredo, Texas: Heidy Animas Lazcano poses on the parking lot of the church Centro Familiar Christiano, where she is waiting for her mother Myrna to be released by the CBP. Heidy and her sister Michel have been separated from their mother after she was deported to Mexico three years ago in 2013. By 2012, two hundred thousand parents have been separated from their children, who are US citizens, through deportation.Cédric von Niederhäusern
13-June-2016_19_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
June 13, 2016 - New York, New York: Jeff Davis is holding up a candle at a vigil for the victims of the Orlando shooting at Stonewall Inn. Cédric von Niederhäusern
07-July-2016--St-Paul-Minnesotta-Destiny-Jackson--Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
July 7, 2016 - St. Paul, Minnesota: Destiny Jackson (center) is attending a protest as a reaction to the fatal shooting of Philando Castile a day before. Black Lives Matters activists and people from the community gathered to grieve and demonstrate in front of the Governors mansion. Castile was shot by a police officer in Falcon Heights after his car was pulled over.Cédric von Niederhäusern
07-July-2016-8--St--Paul-Minnesotta-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
July 7, 2016 - St. Paul, Minnesota: Diamond Lavish Reynolds is holding a speech at J.J. Hill Montessori School at a vigil for Philando Castile, who was fatally shot a day before by a police officer in Falcon Heights. Reynolds was Castile's girlfriend and filmed the incident.Cédric von Niederhäusern
16-July-2016_36_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
July 16, 2016 - Cleveland, Ohio: A helicopter is flying over downtown while the preperations for the Republican National Convention are still taking place.Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-10
17 July 2016 - Cleveland, Ohio - Guests are attending a Welcome Party one day ahead of the Republican National Convention North Coast Harbor.Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-14
18 July 2016 - Cleveland, Ohio - REVCOM activist Kael is listening to a speech at the "End Poverty" rally in East Cleveland. The Republican National Convention kicked off on Monday and was surrounded by small and peaceful protests.Cédric von Niederhäusern
19-July-2016_62_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
July 19, 2016 - Cleveland, Ohio: An officer of the Cleveland Police Mounted Unit is taking a break after shift change on the second day of the Republican National Convention.Cédric von Niederhäusern
17-July-2016_44_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
July 18, 2016 - Cleveland, Ohio: Trump supporters are attending the "America First Unity Rally" at Settlers Landing during the Republican National Convention. Cédric von Niederhäusern
18-July-2016_49_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
July 18, 2016 - Cleveland, Ohio: Enwar Jr., activist with "Peace in the Hood", is attending the "End Poverty" rally on the first day of the Republican National Convention in East Cleveland. Cédric von Niederhäusern
18-July-2016_48_cvn_Cityuponahill-Cedric-Von-Niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite
July 18, 2016 - Cleveland, Ohio: Kim Smith, a Native American woman from Dine Nation, AZ, is walking through a crowd at the "End Poverty" rally on the first day of the Republican National Convention in East Cleveland.Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-1
24 July 2016 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Samantha Peden from Colarado is taking a smoke at FDR. A day prior to the Democratic National Convention, Bernie supporters gathered for a rally from City Hall to Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park.Cédric von Niederhäusern
25 July 2016 - Philadelphia, PA - A police officer is holding a rose, while people gather for a rally at City Hall on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.Photo: Cédric von Niederhäusern
25 July 2016 - Philadelphia, PA - A police officer is holding a rose, while people gather for a rally at City Hall on the first day of the Democratic National Convention. Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-2
24 July 2016 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - One day prior to the Democratic National Convention Bernie supporters gather for a rally from City Hall to Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park.Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-6
25 July 2016 - Philadelphia, PA - Teenagers are riding and doing tricks on their bikes through Downtown Philadelphia.Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-8
26 July 2016 - Philadelphia, PA - Police clashes with the "Shut Down the DNC!" march. Activists from the Black Lives Matter movement are guiding the march and holding speeches. The march remained peaceful. Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-12
27 July 2016 - Philadelphia, PA - President Barack Obama is waving to the crowd after his speech on the third day of the Democratic National Convention inside the Wells Fargo Center.Cédric von Niederhäusern
cedric-von-niederhausern-politics-convention-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-documentary-photo-journalism-black-andwhite-bernie-sanders-dnc-13
27 July 2016 - Philadelphia, PA - Hillary supporters are on the convention floor after the third day of the Democratic National Convention comes to an end. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were addressing the delegates earlier this evening.Cédric von Niederhäusern

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com