Here is the said picture (for those not familiar with the name, AW is one of Britain's most successful social photographers and appears to have made a great deal of money both from client fees and by running workshops):
Last edited by David H. Bebbington; 07-23-2007 at 04:17 AM.
the subjects have wonderful expressions but composition is too lose to really make a strong statement
it looks a little too much like something the local portrait studio would do, not that there is anything wrong with that type of work, in fact I've done it myself, but this type of image doesn't stand as strong, creative fine art, with a wide appeal
I am quite familiar with her work (and have in fact just been perusing her wedding and portrait book, having been asked to step in as a last-minute wedding photographer). This picture just does not work for me. The lighting is great and the idea is great, but if this was the best result, then she should not have bothered. It is not essential for the eyes to be looking at the camera, but it is nice to at least see the eyes looking sideways. The only child whose eyes can be seen is almost lost in a blur of not very interesting motion. In fact, it looks like all the children are about to start crying. I like Annabel Williams' portrait photos, but this picture just does not work at all.
This looks like a typical "lifestyle" picture that was used a lot in the 80s and 90s. It was originally, I believe, done by commercial photographers who would take some "models" out (not usually family members, but a fake family) and do a bunch of "aren't we having fun now" pictures.
Often the were done for stock then sold to soap, or feminine hygene, or drug companies.
The style was later picked up by portrait photographers.
This picture looks like the outtake of a series of "ok kids, climb to the top and tumble down" series.
Unfortunately, if this was the best one, the shoot was a bust.
Michael
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I couldn't think of anything witty to say so I left this blank.
This picture looks like the outtake of a series of "ok kids, climb to the top and tumble down" series.
Unfortunately, if this was the best one, the shoot was a bust.
Michael
Despite the fact that Annabel Williams is a roaring success in the UK, doing lots of commissions and running group workshops at £250 per person and day, I must say I agree entirely with Michael. This shot was done on digital, which in a sense means there is even less excuse for having such poor poses from 2 of the 4 models. The picture I posted was from a magazine article, it did not say whether AW took assistants along on this shoot (who could have been the children's mother plus a friend), they were sorely needed, as one child has its head down and is unrecognizable, while the other in the foreground looks as if he/she has just been slapped hard. For AW to supply this pic for a magazine article and describe it as her all-time favorite is quite beyond my comprehension!
Regards.
David
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As to saying she was proudest of it - unfortuantely, nowadays, people often make "absolutist" statements without considering the import of what they are saying.
It would be interesting to go to her in a couple of years and ask if she still agrees with such a declamatory statement with respect to her opinion of this shot.
Discussing an Annabel Williams picture 
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