Critics not amused by queen photo

[mjs1973]

Interesting article about Annie Leibovitz's new work. Her photo of the Queen has stirred up some critics.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe...eut/index.html

[Frog]

I'm guessing there are a bunch of photographers jealous of the fact that Anne Leibovitz got to photograph the queen and they didn't.
Reminds me of that thread about photo critiques showing all the bad critiques of famous photos.
Looks like a good photo to me but then only my ancestors were from England.

[mjs1973]

I find it interesting that some critics are knocking her work because it's not the type of photo that Annie has become known for. I guess artits aren't suppose to devieate from the style they have become known for...

[Asylum Steve]

The criticisms are ridiculous. Leibovitz is in a no-win situation here. IMO, the shot is timeless...

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go find a "vat of asses' milk". I have an idea for a photo...

[adina]

I love that photo. Critics be damned.

[readingr]

Okay, what is there to criticise? I'm a Brit and think its one of the best portraits of the Queen I've seen in a long time.

Oh well who said critics have to have good taste or talent - they probably do the job because they can't do it themselves.

Roger

[swmdrayfan]

Those who can, do. Those who can't, become critics.

[Ronnoco]

I tend toward agreeing with the critics. What would you expect, eh? Although naked shots are rather too "informal" to say the least, she has gone way too far in the other direction, which inappropriately confirms in many peoples' minds the stodginess and aloofness of the royal family as depicted in the movie.

It is way too traditional, way too posed, way too artificial, way too out of the Victorian era which some think the royal family has never left. On the other hand, perhaps that photo is correctly depicting the Queen in that vein,...although certainly not flattering, if that is the case.

Ronnoco

[adina]

I suspect it is way too traditional, way too posed, and way to artificial for a reason. I mean, come on, this is the Queen of England. Isn't her entire public life traditional, posed and artificial?

[Alison]

Beautiful, my kind of portrait and window light too.

[Old Timer]

Leabovitz is know for getting her subjects to reveal their inner selfs. To my eyes that is exactly what this photo does. A lonely regal figure at peace with her fate in life. Well done Annie!

[almo]

Critics are like slugs. They serve a purpose, but no one is quite sure what.

[poker]

Critics are like slugs. They serve a purpose, but no one is quite sure what.

DOWN WITH THE CRITIQUE FORUM!!! BURN IT TO HELL!!!

[poker]

I suspect it is way too traditional, way too posed, and way to artificial for a reason. I mean, come on, this is the Queen of England. Isn't her entire public life traditional, posed and artificial?

Makes sense to me. That's what I was thinking. I'm glad she decided to go that route and not do anything out of the ordinary. If you had a chance to photograph the queen, would you risk the opportunity by suggesting something she would easily disagree with? I doubt that.

I love Alison's comment!! :thumbsup: Wouldn't it be cool if she used the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens? Hehehehehhe....

[Asylum Steve]

If you had a chance to photograph the queen, would you risk the opportunity by suggesting something she would easily disagree with?...

The Queen in a vat of asses' milk, I say!!!

With all due respect...

[drg]

I love Alison's comment!! :thumbsup: Wouldn't it be cool if she used the Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens? Hehehehehhe....

Depending upon the amount of time she was allowed with H.R.M. she probably shot with multiple cameras as she is known to do.

I'm curious as to whether she's gone fully digital or not. There have been some indications that she may have made a complete transition in the past couple of years.

I see a very well conceived photograph, at least at the scale of the version I've seen so far. I bet there are a couple of more floating around that will apear eventually.

[schrackman]

Her shot is genuis IMO. Who the heck wants to see the queen naked??? Or Whoopi for that matter? ewww!

[photophorous]

I'm curious as to whether she's gone fully digital or not. There have been some indications that she may have made a complete transition in the past couple of years.

The recent American Masters documentary showed her shooting with a Leica, medium format, and a DSLR. Those shots were for the Marie Antoinette movie with Kirsten Dunst, which came out sometime in '06, I think.

Paul

[adina]

The Queen in a vat of asses' milk, I say!!!

With all due respect...

As long as it's a royal ass.

[Ronnoco]

DOWN WITH THE CRITIQUE FORUM!!! BURN IT TO HELL!!!

Sounds like a good idea!

Ronnoco

[Frog]

You can crtique my photos anytime, Ronnoco.
I don't always agree with you but appreciate your input.

[Ronnoco]

I suspect it is way too traditional, way too posed, and way to artificial for a reason. I mean, come on, this is the Queen of England. Isn't her entire public life traditional, posed and artificial?

Her public life yes, but she seems to have been much more "real" and informal, going out on her own, driving a landrover, etc. and in her relations with the "caretakers" of her properties etc.

The challenge for the photographer should have been to jive the formal Queen with the less formal personality in a photo which catches both aspects.

Ronnoco

[Ronnoco]

You can crtique my photos anytime, Ronnoco.
I don't always agree with you but appreciate your input.

Thanks for the kind comments. My perspective on critique is based on almost a half century of experience.

Ronnoco

[Ronnoco]

Leabovitz is know for getting her subjects to reveal their inner selfs. To my eyes that is exactly what this photo does. A lonely regal figure at peace with her fate in life. Well done Annie!

Being Canadian, we are a little closer tied in to what is happening with the royal family in our media etc. She has never, been at peace with her fate in life, and she has tried to sublimate her more "open" personality to her regal responsibilities, due to the influence of others.

Ronnoco

[Ronnoco]

Those who can, do. Those who can't, become critics.

Rather a dumb reworked cliché, which only applies a small percentage of the time.

Ronnoco