Callousness, or Out of Context?

This is a link to a great article about one of the problems with photojournalism, and how easy it is to take a photo that’s out of context, and how quick people are to jump to conclusions when the mood in a photo doesn’t match the setting. The article speaks to these two photos, which both mortified the public upon release (the first photo won a World Press award):

In the first photo, are these rich, entitled, Lebanese cool kids driving through a terrorist attack to gawk at the damage? In the second photo, are these American hipsters having a picnic while watching the after affects of 9-11? Read the article and you’ll find out.

My two cents: I think a person’s mind can only hold onto one emotion, especially one that’s hard to take, for so long. Your brain has to have a break. You need an escape from a negative feeling, or you’d break. During my own mother’s funeral, or rather during the visitation hours in the day that led up to the funeral, there were times that I burst into genuine laughter. Had someone taken my photo at that moment, you could conclude that I was happy that my mother was dead. Nothing could be further from the truth.

While juxtaposition of most any kind makes for an interesting photo, it doesn’t always paint an honest picture. And of course, a lot of people take joy in finding a reason to judge someone else’s actions.

Oh, just read the article, it sums up everything a lot better than I can.

Photo credits in this post: Top photo by Spencer Platt, Bottom photo by Thomas Hoepker.

Marilyn

Like a lot of gay guys, I like Marilyn Monroe. But my favorite photos of her were the most natural ones, where it seemed that the camera caught a genuine smile as opposed to the one she perfected for the studio, or where you can see a hint of her intelligence or her rebellious personality.

To me, these are the only photos that show how beautiful she really was.

Second photo in this set by Elliott Erwitt; other photo credits unknown.

Scott Recommends: Dark Shadows

The first time I saw a movie still from “Dark Shadows,” I immediately wanted to see this movie. I say this, despite the fact that I haven’t seen a Burton/Depp/Bonham-Carter movie since “Sweeney Todd” (I tend to fall into the camp that thinks they’re doing too much of the same thing). But then I saw the trailers for “Dark Shadows” and I decided there was no way in hell I was going to see this movie. Boy did the trailers make it look stupid.

And then, I changed my mind again; friends talked me into it by telling me that the tone was reminiscent of “Death Becomes Her,” which is one of my all time favorite movies. And so we went to the movie this weekend, and I loved it. The trailers definitely don’t match the movie. “Dark Shadows” was not stupid, it’s clever, funny, and gorgeous.

For one thing, it was nice to see Michelle Pfeiffer leading again, and her role was fantastic. It’s been a while since she impressed me. For another thing, this was my favorite Helena Bonham-Carter role since “Fight Club,” and I was glad to see that while Tim Burton might put his wife in every movie he makes, he’s not afraid to put her in a relatively small part sometimes. And for a third thing, as you can see from the following stills from the movie, it’s beautiful, and I liked it for that. These shots make me wish I had been a stylist for the movies.

All photos by this post copyright, Warner Bros.

Scott Recommends: French Onion Soup from the Red Lion

We tried a new restaurant two weekends ago with a group of people. My friend Doug sat across from me and ordered French Onion soup, which he proclaimed on several occasions to be the best French Onion soup he’d ever had.

As a result of this, last week, all I could think about was French Onion soup. One day, I even almost went to a Panera Bread to get some. Panera uses a bread bowl, and I like the idea of eating the bowl, but at the same time it’s just Panera. So I refrained.

But this weekend on Saturday night, Jay and I were in the neighborhood of the Red Lion, and we decided to go back there for dinner. I ordered the soup, and Doug was absolutely right.

I have no idea what this place does to their French Onion soup, but it’s different somehow. For one thing, it’s more onion and less broth. And I kind of wonder if, based on the establishment, there’s not some kind of beer in the broth. Whatever they do, it’s unbelievably good. You must try it.

Photo this post, courtesy of the Red Lion website.

Aaron O’Connell and a Dog

Two of my favorite things . . . first is my favorite model of the moment, Indiana-born Aaron O’Connell; and second, a dog.

Photo credit, unknown. Thanks to Deep Dish for posting the image.

Not Safe for Work Sunday: Top and Bottom

The following post is not safe for work, scroll down at your own risk.

Normally, I ask my models to avoid the tanning bed for a while before a shoot. But I make an exception for just about every rule, once in a while. I found this boy on Tumblr this weekend. I have no idea who he is or where he is, but I’d sure like to get him into my studio.

Photo credits this post, unknown.

Other Photographers: Florin Dobrin by Wong Sim

Here’s model Florin Dobrin, originally from Romania, photographed by Wong Sim.

I like. And I must find out more about this model.

Click any image to enlarge.

All photographs this post by Wong Sim, found by me on Male Model Scene. They were also featured on the DNA Magazine Blog.

Annie Leibovitz and the Olympians

This post combines two of my favorite things.

First, for a person who couldn’t give two shits about sports, who couldn’t name more than two players on his hometown football team or couldn’t tell you if his hometown basketball team is having a winning or losing season, I LOVE the Olympics. Summer or Winter Games, if the Olympics are happening, Jay and I are glued to the TV almost 24/7 — it doesn’t even matter what sport we’re watching. And we’re so into the opening ceremonies that we should probably have a party for it.

Second, if there’s a photographer that we should all aspire to be as good as, if there’s one photographer who just does everything right, if there is one photographer that I would just die for the chance to shadow one day — but who would totally intimidate me at the same time — it’s Annie Leibovitz.

These photos are part of a spread for June’s Vogue; Leibovitz took a few men from the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and put them with supermodel, Karlie Kloss. It’s sport meets high fashion, of course, done better than I’ve ever seen. The athletes pictured below are Jonathan Horton (Gymnastics), Ryan Lochte (Swimming), Bob and Mike Bryan (Tennis), and Dwyane Wade (Basketball).

Click any photo to see a larger version.

I may have to buy the June issue of Vogue, because I can’t wait to see the rest!

All photos this post by Annie Leibovitz for Vogue.

Erwin Olaf: Grief

I discovered photographer Erwin Olaf a few months ago when I posted these photos, which remain some of the most captivating images that I’ve ever seen. Then last week, I found Grief, a photo spread Olaf completed in 2007.

In six words or less: I think this is fucking beautiful.

Erwin Olaf is rapidly ascending to become my favorite photographer.

Click any photo below to see a larger version. These should be viewed big.

Barbara

Victoria

Grace

Troy

Margaret

All photos in this post by Erwin Olaf; found by me via Fashiontography.

Other Photographers: Hit Me Harder

I found this spread on Homotography, and it kind of peaks my curiosity. Here, model Samuele Visentin poses in a spread titled Hit Me Harder for the latest issue of TOH! magazine (which I have to confess, I’ve never heard of). According to Homotography, the spread is photographed by a photographer named Simon (just Simon) and styled by Alex Vaccani, with makeup by Natasha Lapiana.

What do you think? I can’t quite put my finger on what it is that I like about this spread. I think a couple of the photos are a little too gory, and I don’t really get the purpose of the background props. But there’s something that has me interested.

All photographs this post by Simon, for TOH!