. . .Black on White Fotog Fuckery: Dissecting Brian Shumway’s ‘Black Girl’ Portrait Series. . .
What is this fotographer (really) saying?
Case Under Scrutiny: Brian Shumway’s Black Girl Portrait Series documenting black women in NYC who aspire to be models.
Photo Credit: © Brian Shumway
Photo Credit: © Brian Shumway
1. To start with, as soon as I saw the photographs I knew that they were taken by someone who has no interest in perpetuating a positive image about black women. I’m not going to go into my assumptions as to who the photographer was at this moment, but I’ll say what I say to my photography students all the time:
“I might not remember your name, but by looking at your photographs I can tell: who you are as an individual. Your photographs will tell me more about you than anything you say to me because these photographs tell me about your choices and how you see the world.” — Anonymous Brilliant Photog
2. According to the website this portrait series is described as:
“A portrait series on young black women in the New York City area who aspire to be models.” — B.S.
Bull. Shit. What is hard to discuss without implicating myself and my own classist tendencies is the stark reality of the choices that, Shumway, the photographer made.
Photo Credit: © Brian Shumway
In my photography classes, I tell my students that photography is about more than just processing film and making prints, it is about choices. From the time that you get up in the morning there is a specific set of choices that bring you to a photograph. The choices of where you are, what kind of light that you are attracted to, what type of people you choose to be your subjects and of course how you photograph them. The resulting photograph is a sum total of those choices and in essence provide an accurate litmus test of who you are and what your perspectives are despite what you “SAY” they are. The photograph’s truth is not in your perception of someone else, but rather an accurate account of your own personal agenda and/or set of beliefs. I find out a lot about myself through what I choose to photograph.
That being said, Brian Shumway, chose a bunch of girls that come from a particular class, specifically a class of women that make their living as strippers. Whether that’s what these girls do or not, that’s how he photographed them.
Photo Credit: © Brian Shumway
Photo Credit: © Brian Shumway
Again, this isn’t a judgement of the girls themselves, but rather the photographer’s decision to photograph only one type of woman. He then has the audacity to title the work “black girls” as if this was some sort of accurate cross-section.
However, when you look at those images you say, “If these are the black girls trying to be models– No wonder! They don’t look like Tyra, or Naomi, or Alek Wek” and by “don’t look like” I mean, don’t demonstrate the grace, power and general photogenic-ness required to sell clothes.
alek wek
naomi campbell
Don’t get me wrong, the modeling industry is fucked up and it only promotes a certain type of beauty. This beauty even when it is black is generally light skinned and cauched in eurocentric standards of beauty. This photo essay does not provide an alternative representation. In fact, this portrait series is legitimzing it and perpetuating the idea that black women are broke down, frail and overtly sexually available in a disempowering , unitelligent and classless way.
Why weren’t these women photographed?
Photos Courtesy of: © Lecoil
Photo Courtesy of: © funeka-ngwevela
All, Shumway, did was also perpetuate the stereotype that the only relationship that can happen between a white man and a black woman is one rooted in some sort of sick post-colonial rape fantasy.
On a personal level, being the black half of an interracial relationship and having spent a life time of analyzing the white men who covet me I can tell you that white men who love black women are cringing at Shumway’s piece. That is another discussion altogether which I’ll gladly have at another time.
Until We Meet Again,
Anonymous Brilliant Photog
Tracy G. M. James
Tracy G. M. James 
Hmmmm Tracy interesting piece. good point made. I am not clear on who is the author of the article. I see anonymous Fotog then I see by Ms. Tracy G.M James. I agree with the assessment of the portrayal. One point, implicitly made but not explicitly stated. Apart from models who fit the white aesthetic, we have the so called exotic African look. I guess Alek Wek would come unto that category. I guess generally the white eye has tolerance for two kinds of Africans i.e those which are a lesser version of themselves and those which fit the kind of curiousity that they seem to think African people are. Whether artforms or other stuff its either the European mimick or the “primitive” which catches their eye. There are a few whites who do not fall to these narrow conceptions of Africans. anyway thanks for sharing.
i’d love to know who this Brilliant Fotog is.
seems like we’ve been hammering at the same nails.
hi tracy, or whomever you may be,
it’s brian shumway. interesting to read your analysis of my project. the sentence you quote, which you say is bullshit, is exactly what i did. i don’t see how that can be contested. and because they are women who want to be models does not mean they will look like your stereotypical tyra, naomi type models in the photos i make of them. they are everyday women, not beauty pageant contestants, and the portraits are meant to be more documentary in nature. the pictures you think that i should have shot are simply boring, run of the mill fashion fare, which is never what i intended to do.
i would ask that you read all the comments on burn and look at the entire project on my website, read the project statement, and also look at my other work, where, yes, even with men and children there is an element of nudity. in fact, i’m about to start to a project involving men where i’m sure there will be some nudity and shot in a very similar way to these women. so what would you say about that? would that be showing them in a “broke down, frail and overtly sexually available in a disempowering, unitelligent and classless way”?
to say that black girl, which was titled after a lenny kravitz song by the same name, represents “some sort of sick post-colonial rape fantasy” is absolutely ridiculous! for some reason, you as well as other women get hung up on the few images that involve some nudity. there is more here than your easily offended surface sensibilities will let you see.
Whichever photographer you consulted Tracy to review that series they hit the bullseye! Those portraits are shameful. Technically sound, but the pictures were a mockery of the women. The irony is it gets published and applauded by some. I wonder if this photographer consulted any black photographers while shooting this project? Even worse is how these women trusted this man with their image in hope that this could be a turning point for their career and looked what happened. I’m glad you brought that series into the light. Hopefully, the photographer sees the light. Thanks Tracy!
intensely beautyFULL and full of courageous passion. have subscribed and will bookmark this site for future inspiration.
i looked at the entire series and there are quite a few very moving and beautiful images. i too am a black woman coveted by white men. damn i married one for a short time and i have dissected that dynamic rather thoroughly. i believe the artist in question here took fotographs full of humanity. i would shoot with someone like him. whether the fotographer has some twisted conscious or subconscious fetish for representing black women as grotesque has not been quite proven here. those layers are always going to exist between white men and black women and putting a camera in between us does magnify it. but i find many of the images beautiful and raw. it’s all perception.
as far as them being mocked- no i am not seeing that except for some of the women fitting the stereotype of oh i’m a model check out my mayhem profile when they are not truly in pursuit of the work as a profession- yes sure some of the statements the women make are contrived in that way. but it came out of their mouths. i believe it is interesting how there are so many women who want to model. look deeper and its about being SEEN and ACKNOWLEDGED as there is so much neglect and invisibility in this world.
I’ve loosely checked this out and pretty much agree w/ Tracy.
Besides, the history of Black women being portrayed in demeaning and fairly perverse ways by White people, esp White men, is a real and should be considered when doing anything like this.
There’s also this question of why Black women keep signing up for this.
Whatever the case, I’m glad Tracy’s taking the dude to task!
Tracy,
The one thing that stands out is that the backdrop of these photos weren’t any different than what we’re used to seeing already. Ever seen a Candy’s ad? Jenny McCarthy sitting on a toilet, and how many times have we seen a size 0 model with big frizzy hair, rundown makeup and they call this couture?
Personally, the first photo I thought was stunning. The model is beautiful, her arms thrown vertically to the iron pole, her breasts are beautiful, supple which signify her youth, her face carries enough mystery (maybe a little sadness) i’m getting “Ok..go ahead take a shot”. I wanna know what she’s doing there. The hair are the only clues to her social standing. This could’ve easily been a jeans ad in europe if her hair was done different.
The next photo bugs me because simply put – it’s a wreck! the room is a wreck, the bed is a wreck, her pose is a wreck. I like the expression on her face, but I can’t connect what she’s doing on the bed, it seems very ‘posey’ to me. And the rest of the photos follow suit. CLEARLY those are stripper outfits, and clearly these are deviant girls – the piercings the multi-color hair, the quality of the clothes.
I do believe there’s bias. If the title read “A portrait series on young inner city women in the New York City area who aspire to be models.” this would’ve been seen as totally different.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
4 6 8 9 11 12 14 18 19 20 are some of the strongest fotographs filled with humanity and nothing shameful about them. but that is the point of art -people will feel different ways. believe me you i understand the blackwhite dynamic. it is present anytime a white man fotographs a black woman. all kinds of subconscious AND conscious things occur. i know this to be true and sometimes the intent is malicious. i do not believe that is the case here. is there some perversity? perhaps. fotography in its very nature is perverse – it is a voyeuristic invasive process.
Numa,
Can we just be frank? None of these women are being invited to the NAACP gala to sit across from Michelle Obama and Oprah. The comment I made about their outfit is to show plain and simple that it’s tacky. He took 5 tacky girls in their tacky outfits and slapped a “Black” label on it. I never said “clearly black girls are tacky” nor did I say “tackiness is an attribute of Black” P does NOT equal Q. It could’ve been an Asian girl, a Cali girl, or someone from Alpine New Jersey posing – it was tacky. How do I know they’re tacky? because i’m not wearing a blue rayon maid outfit with black hooker boots and pigtails. I’m NOT wearing pink clipon pixy bangs with a redstrip midriff top showing my muffin top – try selling that to Ford models inc, then we can talk about urban disparaties and perceptions. There is nothing graceful or high end about these photos. Conversely there’s nothing gross or vulgar either, but let’s cut the crap, we both know they’re not getting into Italian Vogue.
NOW. Is this a documentary about deluded inner city women who don’t have what it takes but believe they do? I think so. ONE photographer took an interest in their interest and put it on display. In my observation, that is the extent of this series. The model’s error is believing a White man could legitimize their genuine interest in modeling. Instead, a mockery was made in the name of Art. Welp, Art can be self-serving and manipulative too.
These women could’ve been dressed better, brought to a different setting and we would not be having this discussion. You take Shaquana from down the block and put her in a stripper outfit. You ask her to take a picture and it’s a joke! The series was a joke, getting upset about it is a joke. (because we all know a stripper’s highesst dream is usually in the arts itself; dancing, acting, modeling or trophey wife)This is not real. There’s no white man knocking down these women’s doors, they’re not being scouted at the bodega while buying ice cream by Wilhelmina modeling agency. This is mockery. Urban disparaties portrayed grossly by a loose lens.
Also Numa, I get what you’re saying about seeing women “as is” but the contradiction is in the label. When you say:
“A portrait series on young black women in the New York City area who aspire to be models.”
I have a problem with the label because models are ‘modeled’ to represent groups of people so that we can identify and participate in Consumer America – what do these models offer?
Models of Pity.
i dont see these women as pitiful. i see them as desirous, open, interesting. i see sadness in the fotos, i see hardship, i see beauty. i see sensuality.
modeling is not merely about participating in consumer america.
modeling is about revealing layers of humanity. if you choose to judge the layer revealed or why or who is revealing it that is entirely up to you and YES we all do that we have that right.
i will say again i am a fotographer and i believe fotography to be perverse. then you take a white man fotographing a black woman and you get another nuance of perversity. so i understand the nerve that is touched.
but for me in these fotos- (especially the ones i mentioned in my earlier comment) i am drawn in. drawn into the world of these women and i am curious to know more about them.
marbellus
why are they deluded? because they’re trying to follow their dream of being a model even though you may think they are not fit for modeling? or because you think the pictures are tacky and low-brow? whether or not they are model material is beside the point. they are real and unafraid to show a side of themselves that others, such as yourself, may scoff at. these women are not stupid, as you seem to suggest. they realize that their chances of being in Vogue or becoming the next tyra banks are essentially nil, yet there is that dream that maybe. and let’s not forget that modeling also allows them to express themselves in a way they can’t otherwise.
Numa,
Naomi IS ghetto (lol) not in a good way. I actually think these women are ‘Ghetto-Fabulous’ which I do not consider a derogatory term. They’re certainly confident, desirous and there’s a real seriousness to their bearing. I highly respect that.
If that is what the photographer meant by ‘aspiring’ then he got it. However, I think we need to be careful. Not everyone is introspective and reflective about Photography. It is a form of art and open to interpretation; we have to wonder if these photos are prompting awareness or mindless snickering.
Brian S.,
Let’s not paint with broad strokes, I never suggested they were stupid. The quality of the pictures are great. Beautiful lighting, good pixelation, everything is perfect. I believe there is seriousness and integrity in both parts (the photographer and the models). My concerns are by and by – the label. I’m not shocked by what i’m seeing, besides they look like my neighbors. I live in the South Bronx; Boogie Down or what elite types now call ‘Sobro’.
When we can admit that these photos are a portrayal of inner city young Black women who jumped at the opportunity to enter the world of high end modeling we can all relax and just enjoy the scene. I agree with Numi in that we need not explain everything, but this is not theatre, there is no cue of sad music to imply irony, this is Photography – it IS what it IS. And I HOPE it is doing – evoking thought, not a vilified case-study of how the other half lives.
Personally i’m not interested in every rapper who sucks who believes he can make it. Why would I want to hear that in my ipod? Unless you’re saying there are too many youth substituting education for the pursuit of rapping – then your point is more than explicit.
“not everyone is introspective or reflective about photography” true statement. but as artists it is not our job to worry about that and try to make things make sense for others. it is simply our job to express our concepts coming from our minds spirits or some other force and lay it out. sometimes it falls flat. sometimes its superficial. we fight against that. sometimes its provoking. sometimes its malicious. sometimes its sick. sometimes its universal. sometimes its beautiful. sometimes it is inclusive. sometimes it is not. and yet sometimes it can be interpreted as a mockery as some feel this is. but in our interpretations of ANYTHING we must first look at ourselves and why we see it that way before we make others scapegoats for our sense ill being. it is not the job of the artist to be careful. that is why our work so difficult and so special. we are not in a world of safety. we are constantly criticized. and in the same moment that we are lifted up for one piece of work we are shot down for another. let’s not put brian shumway in front of the firing squad. i keep repeating myself, but i do believe fotography is perverse and he is perverse. he cannot help this. and these women know it and that is part of the foto shoot as well. this tension that exists between them. but even if he fotographed these women or other so called “classy” women that white/black dynamic would still exist everytime that he looked through the lens and they stared back at him. this is what i believe is making everyone so uncomfortable and angry.
@Numa: thank you for your perspective. We all can’t agree.
However, this is a sensitive topic & is much bigger than all of us. We are discussing how black women are being presented to the world stage by a white fotographer who finds that the classy, vibrant photos I posted, courtesy of lecoil to be “boring” & “run of the mill” Really?
There is a massive historical connection to this, of which, I cannot simply comment on this thread in direct response to Shumway. My response calls for an in-depth historical dissection of his ‘black girl’ photo series. Shumway, needs to be enlightened and actually learn something from a culture & dynamic he “seems” to be unaware of.
Lastly, I intend to challenge Shumway’s portrayal. Trust & believe if you as a fotographer, who is black & female depicted white aspiring models in such a way as shumway’s depiction of black aspiring models; your door would be getting torn down (and that’s if they EVEN allow YOU to fotograph THEM. . .)
When I interviewed you, Numa, you said: ” To be an artist is a privilege.”
And I agree.
Artists hold an immense set of responsibilities as such that should be honored, respectfully. Yes, it is imperative to document truth but, truth is relative (not absolute), especially when the ENTIRE, well-rounded truth is not told. My truth is not your truth– the most we can do is share common stories but, no one’s experience is EXACTLY the same. The series sounded off as a generalization only showing one kind of woman. If his mission is to be authentic, his opinion of the other photos as being “boring” was certainly subjective and doesn’t lend to his stated objective. So, what if you think it is “boring” or “run of the mill”– this is their story (not yours) — you are just observing & documenting, your opinion in that regard does not matter. Tell the truth, the WHOLE truth and nothing but, THEE TRUTH!
Shumway’s depiction of a black girls’ truth is not my account and hundreds of other black girls’ narratives, I know.
So, I ask: Was his series really authentic?
I would love to know how this project’s mission statement was articulated to these subjects beforehand– if they had access to the tools & wisdom to know how powerful their photographic image is & the responsibility they had as a participant. Or were they manipulated in believing this series could catapult their way to stardom?
In a nutshell: it was not his place to conduct such work– problematic in many facets. He has countless advantages over his said subjects & one is certainly a psychological advantage.
@Brian:
Please answer these questions–
1. Have all the women featured seen this series and do they feel proud?
2. In photographing people of color do you think about how important image and representing their race or nationality is to them?
3. Was the intent to show what beauty means or was it to show how the majority of these black women are not what the industry would consider, “beautiful” but, they have this unattainable dream?
4. Do you feel you have accomplished your goal with this project?
5. Are you dating a black woman, have you ever dated or are you interested in dating a black woman?
6. After all this feedback you are receiving will there be a follow up?
7. Did you consult a few black women and black men who are creators; either writers or photographers?
8. Do you think Roy Decarava, Gordon Parks, Dr. Deborah Willis or Jules Allen would be proud or in support of this series?
9. Who are your influences? Have you looked at Irving Penn’s work? Have you seen Marc Baptiste’s “Beautiful?”
10. Were the selections published in Burn Magazine: their edits or yours?
11. How do you think a black man or woman would’ve photographed the same people?
You stated in your mission goal:
“. . .Peering out from behind that dream are some fundamental human issues that touch upon identity, body, beauty, sexuality, fantasy, race, and the drive to be recognized in a culture obsessed with fame and celebrity. I hope that these portraits can in some way contribute to their pursuit. . .”
Seriously, do you really believe these photos will positively contribute to their pursuit? And if so, how?
if i were a black man, there wouldn’t even be a discussion. you’d all shrug your shoulders or clap your hands and move on. that’s it. and numa is right: the reaction here seems to be more about the ‘white man’s’ gaze at the black woman. tracy that’s a lot of questions, so i will be brief.
1. Have all the women featured seen this series and do they feel proud?
i have let them know that the essay is on burn, one ever left a comment. several emailed back saying they liked it, and others no reaction. they all have copies of these and many other pictures i shot of them. so i didn’t pull a fast one on them. i asked their permission to be published before it went up on burn.
2. In photographing people of color do you think about how important image and representing their race or nationality is to them?
no, it doesn’t matter what color you are. everyone wants to be represented in a way they like, which is subjective.
3. Was the intent to show what beauty means or was it to show how the majority of these black women are not what the industry would consider, “beautiful” but, they have this unattainable dream?
in the statement, i never said their dream was unattainable. it’s a dream, that’s it. interpret as you will. they are not necessarily mean to be beautiful by anyone’s standard. they just are.
4. Do you feel you have accomplished your goal with this project?
yes.
5. Are you dating a black woman, have you ever dated or are you interested in dating a black woman?
i have dated black women.
6. After all this feedback you are receiving will there be a follow up?
follow up to what?
7. Did you consult a few black women and black men who are creators; either writers or photographers?
no.
8. Do you think Roy Decarava, Gordon Parks, Dr. Deborah Willis or Jules Allen would be proud or in support of this series?
i’m not looking for their support.
9. Who are your influences? Have you looked at Irving Penn’s work? Have you seen Marc Baptiste’s “Beautiful?”
mary ellen mark, eugene richards, lise sarfati, jock sturges and others.
10. Were the selections published in Burn Magazine: their edits or yours?
mine.
11. How do you think a black man or woman would’ve photographed the same people?
don’t know, but they’re welcome to give it a try.
Seriously, do you really believe these photos will positively contribute to their pursuit? And if so, how?
i hope so, but my picture would be just one of many in their portfolios.
@Brian:
As the post states:
“. . .there is a specific set of choices that bring you to a photograph: the choices of where you are, what kind of light that you are attracted to, what type of people you choose to be your subjects and of course, HOW you photograph them. The resulting photograph is a sum total of those choices and in essence provide an accurate litmus test of who YOU are and what your perspectives are DESPITE what you “SAY” they are. The photograph’s truth is not in your perception of someone else but, rather an accurate account of your own personal agenda and/or set of beliefs.”
Your choices were poor. If this work had been done by ANYONE else– my sentiments would have remained the same. I really wonder why you seem to think, otherwise. Why would I applaud a black man depicting black women in this manner? This is a mockery and the subjects look cheap, sad, desperate & lost. Not saying, that they are but, your depiction of them and the way you CHOSE to fotograph them lends to those ideals. From an anthropological standpoint, you clearly do not understand the black culture. THESE women do not even understand the black culture & lack knowledge of self.
As a result of this work, what have you learned about black women, mr. anthropologist? And I am by no means vilifying you but, if you choose to document a culture, it is wise to do so, objectively & accurately: considering all aspects.
There are countless of other provocative nudes where women are in very seductive positions that make this series look like trashy, cheap porn so, no, I am not “hung up on the nudity.” I am hung up on your insensitivity to the black culture and sense of entitlement to depict black women in this shameful, classless fashion.
The replies to the questions are not surprising. You are very arrogant, Brian.
I have to reply to some of your answers to the questions.
Brian,
First off, if you were black, the images would have NEVER been published in Burn Magazine! If you were black, you would not have photographed the women in this way, secondly. This is not photography. This was your lust, warped perspective, the power of your camera and your skin that created the opportunity for you to produce this work. There is NOTHING COMPELLING about ANY of these pictures. Is it a coincidence that more than 80% of the women are half dressed or showing a lot of skin? The point was made earlier by the initial review of your essay “that these pictures say a lot about you.” So true. The vast majority of your pictures take me back to black exploitation movies. Less than 1/3 of your images are good in this series.
Photographers who happen to be black 90% of the time are only given opportunities to tell the stories of black people and even that is a struggle. It is even harder to get on the platform to show how diversely talented we are. We won’t even discuss budget. You come in and produce this technically sound piece of dung and have the unmitigated gaul to disrespect Gordon Parks, Roy Decarava, Dr. Deborah Willis and Jules Allen. The vast majority of these women you featured don’t know where to start with their dreams and more than 80% of the women don’t have a chance at all. You did not have their best interest at heart. This was all about you. Too many of the women in this project look hopeless and desperate. People like yourself, have distorted the image of my people to the stereotypes that a lot of us can’t shake even when we are flawless. We all have flaws, but what you did is what the paparazzi does. It’s obvious how a lot of these women are not doing so well for themselves or are just making it and you take your camera and instead of nurturing them about the business or producing a photo they can feel proud of–you do this to them. If you presented this to me in a portfolio–I would destroy your career.
The irony of this is because you are white you will prosper with more work because your people will most likely give you praise. I’m sure some will be critical of you but, I hope and pray that any other black woman you seek to photograph looks you up and sees this project. I also pray that any other black woman you have personal interest with researches you before they get involved with you and they see this series. If they have the depth of puddle and the internet they will know you are insincere.
again respectfully tracy you take the fotographers use of the word boring and the phrase run of the mill and twist it into something that it is not. this is unfair. he wanted to do something different than typical fashion he is not saying the only interesting black women are the ones he fotographed. you are attacking this artist and he is making an effort to explain himself when he doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. why are you insisting on claiming to be so clear on his intention? of course you are entitled to your opinion but this is very rigid. he doesnt have to make gordon parks proud! my goodness he did capture something compelling in these fotos that you refuse to see or take a look at. because he is a white man with his perversities yes it causes mixed feelings but you are missing the overall picture in pursuit of an agenda that is not his. i think we should place that fight where it belongs. not on this fotographer who fotographed willing participants who chose their own clothing and have no objection to his work.
get on any modeling website and you’ll find hundreds of black male photographers who shoot black women in a myriad of ways you would find much more offensive and disgusting than my project.
i’m sorry you feel they look sad and desperate but myself along with many other people find the pictures and the women beautiful and strong.
one thing i’ve learned about black women is that they are very open-minded and don’t reduce every everything to black and white, to a matter of race, to ‘my people’ versus ‘your people.’ they know they are not helpless victims taken advantage of a white man’s twisted sexual fantasies or obsessive need to get ahead in his career. so thank god you are the exception rather than the rule.
i have a sense of entitlement because i shoot people of a different race in a way you don’t like? i know you think that all white people have a sense of entitlement and are better than everyone else, but i certainly don’t. i’ve had to fight for every little scrap i have. remember, you don’t know me.
Brian,
That was my point– those images you describe may seem offensive but, in contrast to this work– they are tasteful & refined.
And, I did NOT say the subjects themselves, were ugly and weak. They are indeed beautiful and strong. However, your depiction of them emanates a chilling desperation, sadness, and lack of hope.
Please stop being defensive & simply listen. Respect my view as someone a part of a culture you have no knowledge of and seek to “study.”
Actually, I don’t think that ALL white people have a sense of entitlement but, a better majority of them do. An occurrence of a simple push on the train, took place, yesterday by a white woman of which I turned around anticipating an apology or an “excuse me”– neither were uttered. What do you call that?
And yes, I don’t know you personally but, professionally, you are not open to criticism which speaks volumes regarding your character & creative process.
Lastly, please don’t tell me how much “you’ve had to fight for every little scrap you have.” Without “knowing” you, I can assure you, that my life’s struggles triple the load of your bad days. Don’t even allude to comparing the two.
And you STILL haven’t learned anything about black women.
“Please stop being defensive & simply listen. Respect my view as someone a part of a culture you have no knowledge of and seek to “study.” — Tracy G. M. James
If we could get more White folks to actually do this, we could get somewhere. They don’t seem to understand that telling us: “I’m not racist” is very different than showing us.
That’s where you are wrong. You are transparent, Brian and I never wanted to know you but, your work showed me who you are. I’ve learned enough about you. Your arrogance just makes my skin crawl. Like I said, prior: I’m sure you were not this arrogant when you introduced yourself to your subjects. You can’t hide behind the camera. We will see how good of a photographer you become. There is a reason why you have two ears (to listen) but, you probably don’t even know why and if you truly don’t– man, is your arrogance dumbing you down!
Their eyes look so vacant, like there is nothing for you to take in other than their flesh. The images are shallow, intrusive and lecherous. I would say it was by design, but I honestly don’t think it was intentional on the photographers part. This is truly how he sees them and he couldn’t have done a better job if he tried… he’s vacuous and one dimensional and so that’s what’s reflected in these images… poor sap.
this is devolving very quickly into you attacking and smearing me personally, and you are getting very condescending and rude. i was misguided in thinking this would be a thoughtful, professional discussion. you have your agenda and frame of reference and that’s fine.
i am not being arrogant, i am just not bowing down and apologizing for my work. if you hate me and my project, i encourage you to delete this post, then no one else who reads your bog will be subjected to it. but i fell perhaps you’re making an example of me, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed (should i add, ignorant and arrogant?) devil.
You are getting confused by the comments. Different people are responding to your posts. I was not rude to you.
Furthermore, I will not delete this post. It is essential to critique this work especially, as a black woman artist.
And no, I am not trying to make an example out of you. I am continuing to engage with you because I truly hope when you leave this discussion; you leave an enlightened person & photographer with more awareness and respect for cultures outside of your own, bound to a belief that you have an important responsibility as an artist to accurately represent, which, cannot be taken lightly.
Brian Shumway.
I am the writer of this article.
I do agree that the conversation got completely out of hand. The conversation began to focus on you as a white photographer portraying these black girls in a demeaning way.
Please let me clarify my point.
Your portrayal of black women is a demeaning and disempowering one.
I have seen your other work. I have seen beautiful images that you have done. Those didn’t make it into the “Black Girl” collection. In fact, you only chose the most demeaning ones for your survey.
As I, stated in my original post, Photography is about choices and your choices tell more about your perspective than anything else.
That being said, your demeaning portrayals have nothing to do with your whiteness. Had you been black, these images would have been just as demeaning. As a photographer, I empathize with the power to exploit and resist the urge to do so. Even when girls are BEGGING me to take their pictures they are not in the same position of power as me– I know how photographs work, how representation works, how their image works in the history of photography and most importantly WHAT those representations MEAN. They are young, impressionable and desperate. That in no way is an equal relationship, even, if they consent.
If a 15 year old girl consents to sex with a 30 year old man, it’s still rape.
What was most revealing about Shumway’s response was that he admitted to having never vetted his images. As a maker of controversial images myself, I like to know what my photographs are communicating. It doesn’t mean that I won’t post, show , publish them, just that I know how they are working. To make an entire body of work about black women without getting some input from black people shows that you just don’t care and that is the most revealing choice of all.
Brian,
When somebody makes a criticism of your artwork of this nature, you need to truly reflect on the message that it sends to the individual experiencing it. I thought it was a self-aggrandizing, egotistical exercise. You state that they are aspiring models but, they are not. They want to be models but they have no idea what they are doing. They are dressed like hookers because they don’t know the difference and you exploited their desperation and their ignorance. There are thousands of young black women who are real aspiring models. You say that there is nothing interesting about true aspiring models for art purposes, but, the only thing interesting about this art project is your racism and your complete denial that it exists. Maybe you really didn’t realize how this was coming across. You should have vetted it before releasing it. After everything that was stated, you sure didn’t help your case by chiming in. You should have known that the best thing you can do is ignore it. When you are not prepared to speak intelligently on the issue of race, all you can do is make it worse. The best thing you could have said is that it was never your attention to exploit these woman and that you apologize that came across that way. Instead you just acted like it was ridiculous to see it that way. In doing so you only managed to make the rest of us white men look bad. Shame on you!
White men who photograph people of color
http://maximushka.com/
http://www.mikeschreiber.com/
When I saw this photo essay, I was intrigued. I saw absolutely nothing wrong with the way these women were portrayed. I didn’t see vacancy in their eyes, but rather a quiet determination. And there is a defiance here because most have a look that is far outside of the mainstream of what is acceptable in the modeling industry. The photos have a hint of sadness to them, but I like that. Whether we think their dreams are valid or not, their aspirations “real” or not, these women exist, and they deserve to be documented just as much as any “real” models. I think it’s dangerous for us as Black people to be so paranoid about images that don’t cast Black people in a perfectly positive light just because the mainstream media perpetuates negative stereotypes. It causes us to create work that is reactionary and one-sided, and that is just another form of giving one’s power away. And it doesn’t matter to me that the photographer is White, because that’s not what showed up in these photographs, I didn’t find a manipulative agenda there. Where I have found one is in many high fashion photos where models of color are costumed to resemble animals, or so-called “primitive” people are positioned sitting and kneeling next to a blond White model. Were the pictures in Italian Vogue of Naomi Campbell lying totally nude on a dining room table portraying Black women in a negative light? Those were most likely shot by a White photographer. Or is it okay because she is what we expect to see as a model: tall and thin with a much better weave than most of these women have? Just saying, who sets the standards and says what these women look like is any less valid, or negative for that matter? Good art should mess with us a little, and cause us to question ourselves, our gaze, and the filters we have on it. That’s why I like these photos.
Brilliant photog,
Wow, you come out with a libelous, personal attack, essentially calling me a misogynist, just after you said, it was getting out of hand.
These pictures were a collaboration. both the model and i giving each other feedback and suggestions, a yes or a no, on how, where, when, and what we would shoot. so the women here are participants in their own representation. i did not exploit them nor did i make racist images. the fact that most of them like the pictures i made and agreed to be published attests to that fact. they do not see the pictures of themselves as demeaning. that would have defeated what we were trying to do. we wanted to produce something that we both liked and could use for our own purposes.
Tracy,
I’m not dismissing you or not listening. I do respect what you’re saying, i just simply don’t agree. i understand that my visual style and CHOOSING to include some provocative pictures rub you the wrong way and make you feel like i’ve demeaned these women. i’m curious to know what an ‘accurate’ representation of these black women would be, especially since every photographer, black or white, would approach it differently and hence have as many representations of them as there are photographers.
as i said before, i stand by my work and do not apologize for it. neither do i feel like i needed to consult people from the black community before doing it, just as i did not consult nicaraguans or jamaicans before i did projects related to the people there, asking if it was ok with them to do my project and how i should do it so, that i don’t offend or upset them (of course i would respect my subjects/collaborators and not consciously offend them). as a creator/artist, that makes no sense and would compromise my own vision. i’m sure you understand that.
i must admit that i was naive as to how people would respond and how SOME people would be very sensitive to the way black women are portrayed. this is one of those projects that people have strong feelings one way or another, they either love it or hate it.
Brian,
I was just able to look at the entire “sex-ibition”!!! As a mother of 4 beautiful black girls – I would hope to God they never encounter you in the malls, supermarkets, clubs, etc. where this photographer probably gets his “subjects”. Society and media are damaging enough to our young queens. We now have to worry about photographers/predators posing as genuinely interested professionals looking for that “new face” to be a model.
Parents, give your daugthers ALL the empowerment they need to ward off any such predators! I am appalled and wish I could speak to each and everyone of these women/young ladies to let them know that a true MODEL doesn’t need to take off her clothes to be beautiful!
Shame on You!!!!
thank you marissa. good and funny point about naomi and her weave.
Good morning 🙂
Anonymous brilliant photographer just produced a jewel of feedback for you, Brian, with a different tone but, the same message. Brian, you have really created a storm. I have a question for you:
Do you really believe everyone on this thread, could be wrong in their assessments? Do you really think that we all are this hyper-sensitive bunch of people who do not know what we are talking about? There has been only two people on this thread to support this series. Do you really feel everyone else is off with their assessments?
The problem is, none of us are people who you respect so, you are not even giving our constructive criticism, a chance. That is so unfortunate, pathetic and grossly arrogant. I hope you read the comment from, Drew Z. Perhaps, you are too proud to admit you are wrong? To think, your pictures could actually be the catalyst for your own healing but, are you too proud to be honest with yourself or just with us? I hope you start looking at your friends now, because they did not protect you. Even worse, is if they did not see this series for what it is–that would have been a broader statement and confirmation of how some young white people still see us. That would really be tragic.
Do you have a problem admitting when you are wrong? Or are you really looking within now? I applaud you for having the courage to take on this project, but, I feel that courage came from a corrupt place. That courage was an illusion because it was influenced by your encounters with black women. I denounce you for portraying black woman the way you did and if you were a black man and did this, you would be getting BLASTED even more!
The big difference is you consider yourself a professional photographer. Any black man who would’ve produced this kind of work would be viewed as a hobbyist using the camera because he has no game and these are women who he wants to sleep with. It is no different for you! If you were a black man and did this, once again, it would have NEVER BEEN PUBLISHED! You think I would not confront someone else who looks like me and is doing something wrong? Right is right and wrong is wrong. The problem here is because you’ve dated some black women you think you know more about us than you do.
The problem is so transparent. It is your character. You just do not want to admit what your pictures are saying about you. I’m sure you would agree with the statement about how pictures reveal more about yourself if it was not forcing you to look really hard at yourself, right now, and if the feedback you received was positive. You might of had good intentions but, what you produced is repulsive.
I have two more questions for you:
Did any of your friends tell you are walking on a roadside bomb with this series?
Did you ignore suggestions of vetting this to some black men and black women because you felt so strongly about it?
Hopefully you reply to my questions, but, I thank you for doing what you did because you have been the catalyst for a dialogue that needs to take place amongst black people and it is great that you are hearing some honest voices filled with passion. You might feel a little uncomfortable but, that is good. You should, because you have offended a lot of us and you have done something to black woman that a lot of white men have always done and it is not going to be tolerated. If you were black and did this, believe me I think the reactions might be more aggressive and you would be dismissed as ignorant.
Hi Tracy and/or Anonymous Brilliant Photog,
First impressions upon seeing the online gallery: I wondered why virtually all of them were wearing heels, and why there was so little diversity in facial expression / emoting. However, I don’t find the sexual undertones of the images problematic. One picture in particular that stood out was a woman in a pink dress and black heels against a white wall.
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/ava,_34,_canarsie,_brooklyn
She could be a prostitute in a back alley. She could just as easily be a girl partying in the Hamptons. I love it when images are open to those kinds of multiple interpretations, because it forces the viewer to question their own preconceived notions.
I actually find his imaging of these women’s sexuality refreshing. They seem so…normal. Like the woman in the red mesh, that seems like the kind of candid picture a guy would take of his girlfriend, but with nicer lighting than a camera phone lol. Not necessarily a picture meant for Vogue, but, beautiful nonetheless.
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/shakira,_31,_newark,_nj
It’s not like they’re in bikinis hunched over a motorcycle, or writhing with a guitar between their legs, or the painfully cliched Myspace-booty-shot. I find King Magazine WAY more problematic than, anything in Shumway’s port.
Colonial rape fantasy? Really? That’s reaching. Don’t get me wrong, there ARE race fetish photographers who are ALL about grotesque / pornographic / disempowering imagery. I wouldn’t put Shumway in that camp at all. In fact, I’d be willing to work with him.
Here are the pics I love:
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/denee,_22,_the_bronx
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/tiffany,_22,_flatbush,_brooklyn
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/twila,_21,_the_bronx
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/tajlia,_25,_washington_heights,_nyc
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/queen,_22,_bed-stuy,_brooklyn
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/josephine,_20,_flushing,_queens
http://www.brianshumway.com/#/black_girl/macee._new_york,_ny
(I’d like that one better as a portrait though)
I am SO over the bohemian elite forcing everything into some sort of racial politics paradigm that is only intended to further their own agenda – in this case: one form of unique “blackness” is better than another. I found beauty and honesty in this series…these photos are as real as any of the photos that Naomi, Tyra, or Oprah have ever taken. And for your “control group” examples…90% of the photos that we gaze at of Naomi, Tyra, and Oprah have been taken by white men as well. No one ever questioned the photographer(s) (weather he dated black women before, whether he felt as if he was a racist/post-colonial/rapist, if Gordan Parks would approve) when the “black” Italian Vogue came out. I guess it’s all about the proper application of weave, the deftness of the airbrusher, and the contouring of the nose, that determines what a honest and respectable portrayal of black women is. These women have the right (and chose) to be considered and portrayed how they wanted to, despite your disapproval of their “muffin tops”, social status, weight, features, piercings, or cherry colored weaves…maybe that was the point.
As both an artist and a white man married to a black woman with two children, all I can say is I’m really tired of this country’s obsession and ongoing analysis of skin color and the meaning of every photo, walk down the street or quart of milk purchase made by a person of this skin color or that. The whole conversation is racist and generated by racism. I married my wife because she is a wonderful woman and a beautiful person, skin color isn’t part of the equation. There is bad art everywhere, this is more of an example to me of America’s demented, sexist fixation on breasts, black or white. Naomi and Alex are better than the girl’s in these photo’s? It’s all the same to me. The fashion industry itself is totally sexist, shallow and perverse. The models, black or white, are prostitutes of Capitalism. Gray suits for all!
Hey Tim,
While skin color may not have factored in when you married your wife, it is a part of who she is and simply pretending it doesn’t exist does nothing to make her world easier, or for you to understand her better. You might have the privilege of living in a bubble but she doesn’t. I dont know if you’re children are boys or girls, but aren’t you the least bit concerned that the only images they see of black women are depictions of them as un-intelligent and sexually available in a disempowering way. We define ourselves by what we see, and if there’s only limited options, we copy those.