Fashion magazine Vogue has come under fire over the cover of its August issue. The magazine featured world-renowned gymnast Simone Biles, and critics are upset at both the style of the images and the fact that Biles was photographed by Annie Leibovitz and not a Black photographer.
The profile of Biles was published four days ago, and almost immediately the images and choice of photographer came under attack.
Criticism came from a broad spectrum of voices, including prominent photographers and photo editors like the New York Times National picture editor Morrigan McCarthy, and Black Women Photographers founder Polly Irungu.
The general consensus among critics seems to be that the lighting does Biles a disservice, washing out her skin tone and making the images look muted, and that Vogue should have hired a Black photographer both from an ethical standpoint and because they would better understand how to light Black skin.
I adore Simone Biles and am thrilled shes on this cover… but I hate these photos. I hate the toning, I hate how predictable they are, I hate the social crop here (wtf?) and I super hate that Vogue couldnt be bothered to hire a Black photographer. https://t.co/az0gLugdzS
— Morrigan McCarthy (@MorriganMcC) July 9, 2020
After all the Black talent jumping out with #VogueChallenge, Vogue couldnt idk hire a Black photographer to shoot this cover of Simone Biles? https://t.co/6N5Oac56Su
— Polly Irungu (@pollyirungu) July 9, 2020
Simone Biles deserved better than Annie Leibovitz bad lighting. pic.twitter.com/I7SvmCmKJP
— Britni Danielle (@BritniDWrites) July 10, 2020
This @Simone_Biles shoot was great but again, Im disappointed at how many professional photographers dont know how to treat dark skin. These edits took less than 10 mins to color correct. #VOGUEpic.twitter.com/qVr1mwQOCi
— Nowlen Webb (@NowlenWebb) July 10, 2020
One muted photo in particular, showing Biles against a golden background in dim lighting, has drawn the fiercest criticisms and harshest comparisons.
“Her skin look absolutely horrid,” wrote one user on Reddit. “You can have muted tones without her skin looking like shes just been embalmed. The colors are terrible. If some average Joe who you didnt know youd also say that they f***ed up the skin. Melancholic doesnt equate to ashy skin.”
simone biles shot by annie leibovitz, a professional photographer
gabrielle union shot by zaya wade, a child pic.twitter.com/qHOKWla4JJ
— allison | abolish the police (@allisonhopstad) July 10, 2020
This photo of THE Simone Biles for Vogue magazine was taken by THE Annie Leibovitz. How a person can work as a professional photographer for decades and still be this bad at lighting and photographing dark skin is baffling to me. Annie are you ok? pic.twitter.com/ycaH9LxsLL
— Anihtek (@anihtek) July 10, 2020
Simone biles shot by Annie Leibowitz, a professional photographer with years of experience, for VOGUE, an iconic fashion magazine.
My best friend jada shot by me, an idiot with an iPhone, in a field. pic.twitter.com/wk5YNsCr34
— lauren (@laurenwestend) July 13, 2020
Some photographers joined in the criticism, even posting re-edits of some of the photos. Others, however, came to Leibovitz defense. Supporters of the shoot pointed out that the article attached to these photosa somber profile that covers the impact that the Larry Nassar trial had on Biles, her family, and her careercalled for muted images.
They also defended Leibovitz by pointing out what may have been her artistic inspiration for these shots, and saying that it’s absurd to claim that Annie Leibovitz somehow “doesn’t know what she’s doing” when it comes to lighting any sort of skin tone.
“Annie has shot Kendrick Lemar for Vanity Fair, President Obama for Vanity Fair, Michelle Obama for Vogue, Chris Rock, Denzel, Viola Davis, etc,” wrote one photographer on Reddit, “but yea get a black photographer because she has no clue what she’s doing. /s”
The first thing I thought of when I saw the #SimoneBiles Vogue pictures was “Black Madonna” of the 13th & 14th centuries. I think that’s what Liebowitz was going for, especially combined with the somber telling of Simone’s sexual abuse.
“I am dark, but lovely.”
Indeed, Simone. pic.twitter.com/w42MH66pAb
— Anne Boleyn (Sussex Supporter) (@TudorChick1501) July 11, 2020
While theres a painful history of photography and video technologies not accommodating non-white skin (see “Shirley cards” & Kodak) to assume that that’s what’s happening here is way off in my view. Leibowitz is an incredible portrait photographer and her choices are intentional
— James Robinson (@jamesrobinson50) July 11, 2020
@Simone_Biles STUNNING @voguemagazine WOW! No other Olympic body goes through what a gymnast body goes through just to compete on the most basic level! @annieleibovitz captured it BEAUTIFULLY! Anyone who says differently…well, they didnt make the cover of Vogue mag did they
— brandy rounds (@brandyrounds) July 13, 2020
Neither Vogue, nor Leibovitz, nor Biles have responded to the controversy as of this writing.
(via Huffington Post)read more
Vogue Slammed for Hiring Annie Leibovitz for Simone Biles Cover Instead of Black Photographer
