One wonders if the photog is a one-trick pony:

...look at the differences. The crop, of course, is exceedingly important. Here the focal points are the regal hands and imperial glare instead of the giant hands and, well, crotch. Whereas Clinton comes off like a thoroughly pleased guy about to run off to a party, Putin looks like he's deciding whether to have you killed.

From what I saw, I wonder if Platon has more in common with Monica. Perhaps Platon cropped Putin at the hands as a protest for Putin not being satisfied.

Maybe Platon just likes looking up to commies. That is a stool hanging down between Clinton's legs, right?

The lighting struck me. That blue/white light on Putin bleaches his skin and makes him look cadaverous. The warm light on Clinton gives him a flush and makes him look drunk.

More like Clinton was drunk and Putin had already made that fateful decision about the photographer.

Clinton looks like he's about to hit the singles bars. Putin looks like he's about to order one of his minions to put a horse's head in Garry Kasparov's bed.

This photographer is just good at bringing out the natural expressions of his subjects. Clinton wakes up ready to hit the singles bars and shows it. Putin wakes up ready to crush anyone in his way and looks forward to it.

I seriously doubt Platon looks up to Commies. If he did, Putin would look far more attractive. Remember the old propaganda films of the 1930s and 1940s? The Leader was usually shown looking friendly -- unless there was an enemy of the people quite evident. Putin is alone. He looks like a nasty piece of work. I would not like to meet this guy in a purely "business" setting, let alone anywhere else. Bill Clinton, on the other hand, looks like he would be fun to spend an evening with. See the warm smile, the relaxed pose?

I dunno, Clinton looks like he is trying to pitch a loaf, to me.