That means you, Tyra.
I could go on a quite a tear about all the problems with the show America’s Next Top Model. First of all, there’s Tyra Banks herself who, despite her claims of trying to help young women improve their own views of themselves, heads the panel of “judges” that frequently blasts the models with criticisms that are far more cruel than constructive. And, sadly, the models themselves often behave like prima donnas, setting a horrible example for aspiring models everywhere.
But that’s not the issue today. No, the problem highlighted in this week’s episode is Tyra’s inability to grasp a photographer’s responsibilities. (With her modeling days in the past, Tyra has decided to move behind the camera.) And this week, her “solution” to a lighting problem was to blame the model’s face. Wow. This could be a liberating movement for (unprofessional) photographers everywhere. “So you don’t like your photos? Well, the problem must be your face.” I’m sure that kind of response will go over really well with clients.
The truth, Tyra, is that lighting (like clicking the shutter) is the photographer’s responsibility. If the lighting is no good, it’s up to the photographer to make the adjustments.
The weekly photo shoots are the reason I watch the show, because I like to see what the various (and typically top-tier) photographers will do. This might be good advice for the show’s host, too.
