I’m always looking for a good excuse to visit the Newseum and coo over our Presi, so what better way to do both than to pay a visit to the FotObama exhibit. Located on the 6th floor (in the same view-rific room as Today’s Front Pages), you’ll see the top 100 winners and finalists, organized by level (amateurs and pros) and “time” of shot (campaign, election night, inauguration). The Best in Show went to Chris Carlson, for his shot of Obama being petted/embraced after he won the Democratic nomination, but my favorite shot was this one taken by amateur Val Proudkii:

Aside from the lovely juxtaposition (little white boy looking at Obama and tall black man looking at McCain), this photo captures how many of us experienced Obama’s ascent: not in his actual presence but via his image. Other favorites: Malia and Barack on a thriller ride at an Iowa amusement park and a group of exhausted teenagers after the inauguration. Plenty of emotional shots will have you living it all again.

Exhibit runs through September 7, 2009. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. www.newseum.org