This guy is probably sitting and laughing at what everyone says about his photo, which probably was his original intention, and it worked... an artist indeed.
This picture is for fun, and to see where peoples boundaries are :-)
If the bottle was open, and the kid was sitting with a glass of vodka, my line was crossed!
I wasn't expecting so much response, but i'm glad i did, because then my mission is completed.
Here is a vodka free image, for the people who didn't like the first one :-)
Now I LOVE that shot.... that is how a child should be
I appreciate your artistic expression, it was a very useful juxtaposition of innocence and the bottle. I still don't think kids should be involved in things they can't comprehend the meaning or use of......
Chris Sorensen wrote:
Great shot. And I like the shoes. The contrast between the princess outfit and the Chucks grounds her in reality, since sneaks with a dress is distinctly something that a little girl would wear.
I love both shots, and agree with Chris about the shoes... nicely done.
thaddeus wrote:
does there have to be a reason, other than evoking emotion from those who view it? to me, this is a total success for that reason.
I totally disagree. The purpose of art (at least from the artist's perspective) is not to arouse a hodgepodge of uncontrolled emotion. One of the problems with the modern art movement, in my view, is the elevation of "shock" over "substance." A recent exhibition of a dying dog in a museum as a "work of art" is but one example; the so called artist found a stray dog on the streets of some city, chained it up in a public gallery, and allowed to starve to death in the presence of assembled gallery viewers. It might have been evocative, but the desire to evoke emotion, in the absence of any governing artistic or ethical principle, should not be the end goal of art, or an artist.
I understand that art is supposed to lead conventional morality by the nose, but I would argue that a dead dog in a museum, or videos of animals being killed by sledgehammers, stink up the place more than their artistic impact might merit. So too would the attribution of certain adult activities to children... such art has costs that potentially outweigh the benefits.
That said, I like the original picture, notwithstanding the concerns of the naysayers. It's not because it evokes random emotions or controversy, but because of its technical execution and clearly (to my mind) satiric intent. I think that concerns over exploitation are overstated, particularly since the child has suffered no cognizable harm or humiliation through her participation in this exercise. It's also debatable whether the photographer has profited in any way from taking this picture, aside from a few smirks at the remarks of the vocal morality expressed in some of these comments.
While I respect the views of those who think the image is in bad taste, I don't entirely agree with them... I think it's an interesting photo.
I guess you would be evoking even more emotion if she had been holding a cigarette, although the effects of alcohol are potentially worse.
As a 'spoof' ad I can see the funny side (log onto youtube to see some in really bad taste) but would hate to see this type of thing used commercially.
Its funny, its a photo of child "holding" a bottle of vodka. All he did was hand it to her and take the picture.
What I actually find outrageous, compared to this photo, are the Anne Geddes style photos that I've seen people torture their kids to get that style of shot. Shoving them into crazy positions in oversized boots, wriggling costumes on them, or positioning them to sit up when they are not ready to do it on their own. I've seen parents risk their child falling to try and get a good shot. This is an image ... so without knowing the intent, there is not a true basis for the outcry that appears to have been displayed here.
Why is it so offensive? And the answer is ... personal opinion. Not based on facts, just ... an opinion.
I think its cool how it has evoked emotion. I saw it as a picture, but I guess because I've seen much more tragic things in real life (which I could only wish were staged photographs) that this didn't even phase me.
I'd rather see a shot like this critiqued technically, then a happy snappy posted up.
And another thing, when a photo is posted of a model and the OP is asking for feedback, why do people make comments like "a very attractive model" ... and then continue with the comments on the photo? What does that have to do with shot?
sorry, but i dont really get the message here. its just a little smiling girl holding a bottle of alcohol. it doesnt seem as though any real creativity went into it doesnt seem to evoke any kind of emotion or thought(at least for me). i dont find it offensive or particularly contreversial, but it also doesnt work as a standard portrait because of the bottle of alocohol. i dont mean to be rude, just being honest. from a purely technical perspective its a good photo-- but conceptually i dont think it goes anywhere
Sam Bortol wrote:
I would really like to know what is the overall purpose of this image? This is not to attack you personally, just wondering what is so great about handing a child a bottle of alcohol and capturing that image. I am very aware of the age limits in other countries, and I understand that in some countries there are none(I come from a country that has no limits). I would like to know the reasoning behind this...
I look at this picture and think of all those girls i saw at college and think of their fathers
Many photographers in the past have placed conflicting subjects in a photo to make it uncomfortable. this is not a typical child portrait, this is a photo with some underlying meaning.
It sounds like a lot of people express disapproval for letting a chilled hold a bottle of vodka. I think Matt is absolutely right in saying people have a responsibility to protect children.
But i don't think that harm has been inflicted on this girl because she held a bottle of vodka, or water or whatever it is.
On the other hand if she was drinking it thats a hole different issue.
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