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Ok. So I have avoided this topic on the for a bit because honestly I hoped it would go away. But the VF cover started it all over again. Most ppl have the Annie Leibovitz convo all backwards. But before you push back make sure you have seen all the pieces of this thread.
Annie is a master photographer. It’s not just because ppl want to celebrate white artists for no reason, it’s a fact. She doesn’t have have an issue with photographing black skin either. It’s just moreso that you don’t like one of lighting styles that she often in her photos.
Over her long career and many iconic photos she has showcased Black people in many different ways. See Whoopi, Lil Kim, Lupita, Serena. A range of lighting concepts and approaches to black skin.
Let’s look at more. Here’s Rihanna, Rupaul, and a stunning history of Black models over the years. Again a range of approaches for coloring Black skin depending on the mood, setting and inspiration behind the shoot.
In later years Annie has loved a more dark moody brooding look with some subjects and more harsh lighting with others that shows their imperfections to try to reveal something about their character. See Lena, Kendrick, Barack, and Aja below for examples
She has over her entire career also shown an ability to shoot Black dancers and athletes. Ex: MJ, Serena, Sonya, Ashton. Every great photog has a “style” that is intentional and these photos show hers. Mags only put ppl they think are the best in front of her lens
You can argue that u don’t like the Simone photos, that’s ok. Or that u want a newer photog to shake things up, that’s fine. What u can’t do is suggest that what she’s doing is due to lack of ability or knowledge of how to light black skin or that she needs ur color corrections
Black photographers have been criminally overlooked for decades and need many more opportunities to shoot not only Black subjects but people of all races because of their style, unique POV and ability.
By the same token Black celebs need to be photographed and have their likenesses interpreted and appreciated by all artists of all hues. Some interpretations we may like, Some we may not. But Black People are too many things to be only seen in one set way.
