Terry Richardson may be a bad person. Several models are saying so, claiming he abused both his power and his position to sexually harass them.
Terry Richardson may be a good person. As yet, none of the allegations have extended beyond talk, in public and on the internet.
I choose to reserve judgement, I know none of the people involved personally, I know only what I’ve read of the affair on various blogs. I don’t automatically assume he’s guilty because of the nature of his work. I don’t assume he’s innocent based solely on the fact that other artists have rushed to his defense.
I don’t know the facts, what really happened, and I don’t want to be the kind of person who defends him because he’s a popular photographer, or condemns him because his work pushes certain boundaries.
Does simply being a photographer make one suspect? As a photographer, yes, yes it does. I welcome the suspicion when I meet a model for the first time, means the model’s got their head on straight. Because it’s a strange situation, one that, in addition to lovely folks like myself, also attracts a variety of people who are in search of a position in which they can exert influence and power over others.
Because for me, it comes down to power. We, as the photographers, have power. Terry Richardson, in particular, has a great deal of power. And that power has to be taken into account during a shoot. Merely saying “you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to” is but paying lip-service to the responsibility of those with power.
When a model walks into my apartment for the first time, like Leslie did a few weeks ago, the discrepancy in power is clear. She doesn’t know me, doesn’t know if I’m a nice guy, what I’m really intending with our shoot.
It’s up to me to reassure her, to put her at ease, to make her feel as comfortable as possible. If I’ve got certain ideas for the shoot, it’s my responsibility to let her know.
In a way, it’s up to me to exert as little power as possible in the shoot, to put things on as even a footing as possible.
Sometimes I’ll ask a model for something uncomfortable, standing in the cold, remaining in an awkward pose. I always do my best, even in such mild circumstances, to make it perfectly clear that the shot is not the most important thing. They, as people, are. It’s not uncommon that I’ll have an idea in my head and dismiss it, knowing it might be less than fun for the model.
The photo is just a photo. It’s people that are the important thing. Creating an atmosphere of comfort, so that the model is more at ease? That’s excellent, that’s what I attempt as often as I can. Talking to a model for a good while before shooting, getting to know them, letting them get to know me, letting models punch me. All ways of putting us both at ease in the situation, creating a feeling of collaboration, making the model feel they’re more involved in the process than just standing still while I fiddle with my camera. There’s never an idea so good it’s worth affecting someone negatively. Exerting power to force someone, whether that force be overt or subtly exerted, that has nothing to do with photography, man. That’s a very different dynamic at play.
Creating an atmosphere in which to get a model to do something I think they might be resistant to? I reject the premise of that argument. It’s trickery, all the more suspect because it’s so elaborate. Nothing a popular photographer does can actually change the dynamic of power in a photo shoot, especially one with a neophyte model. If an idea is good enough, there are always people willing to participate. Why go to any lengths to break down a person’s resistance to your idea, if there are so many others who would be more than happy to be a part of.
Forcing someone to participate, that’s not art. It’s not breaking down boundaries. It’s not about freedom, liberation, not about letting go or being Real. It’s violence.
Comments
nigel
April 21st, 2010 - 4:30:00 PM
I think its unfair to argue his work isnt art. I never thought of richardson style as free or liberating. its filthy, disgusting and misogynistic and yeah i agree its violent. but many would say the same of helmut newton or bourdin. im not saying their on the same level. but the man does have a reputation for being a general scumbag, and when a model enters his studio there have to be certain expectations. Im not saying i agree with it but the man creates dirty pictures and you cant be surprised when he tries to take dirty pictures of you.
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