Abuse or art?

[mad_malteaser]

You must have heard by now the controversy sparked by Jill Greenberg's photographs of crying children as shown here. She gave the kids lollipops then took them away in order to capture their reactions and now she is being accused of child abuse.

Seriously, has the world actually gone mad?!?!?

 

[zombiekilla]

I think accusing of her of child abuse is silly. Yeah its kinda mean but not abuse. If I give my 2-year-old a sucker and then she proceeds to get it stuck in her hair and I take it away shes gonna throw a fit and your going to see the exact same faces. Is that abuse? Granted those kids probally didnt do anything to get it taken away, but I dont think it was abuse.

 

[Oldfireguy]

I guess it depends on how you define abuse. To give a sucker to a child and then take it back for no other reason than to capture a photo is crap.

Oh, yes the world has gone mad. Fully demonstrated by this photographer.

 

[ksmattfish]

There's already a thread about this somewhere. Since I posted in the previous thread I have learned that Hollywood commonly uses techniques like this, and even more diobolical methods, to get young actors to perform on cue.

 

[saulmr]

If it's not abuse it's just plain mean.

Those photos are stupid. You're right, the world has gone crazy.

 

[Oldfireguy]

What Is Child Abuse?

"Child abuse" can be defined as causing or permitting any harmful or offensive contact on a child's body; and, any communication or transaction of any kind which humiliates, shames, or frightens the child. Some child development experts go a bit further, and define child abuse as any act or omission, which fails to nurture or in the upbringing of the children.

 

[Becky]

I don't really see a problem with it, its hardly likely to cause long term emotional damage to the kid is it?

I mean would we be having this discussion if she'd used the idea of taking photos of children smiling and looking excited, just as she was about to present them with a lollipop?... somehow I dont think so...

So whats the difference? cos the kid is upset? Most kids cry half the time anyway lol... happiness and sadness are two massive emotions of human beings.... using different ways of capturing them by photograph seems ok to me. Photographers use all kinds of methods to make kids smile or do daft things on camera... its practically the same only the children cry a little cos they've had a lollipop taken from them, thus it becomes controversial.

In this case its just taking a lolly away so I don't really see the problem, obviously theres a line but in my opinion the photographer hasnt crossed it...

Personally, I dont like these photos much anyway, they have a kind of animated fakeness look to them, but thats just my thoughts.

 

[celery]

I think she should slap the children across the face.

1. They probably deserve it considering most parents don't discipline their children anymore these days.

2. It's faster than the lollipop thing (and cheaper too).

3. It would be funny to me.

 

[abraxas]

I wonder if she gave the sucker back or told them she killed their puppy.

Apparently the parents thought it was okie-dokie.

 

[JIP]

I saw these shots in American Photo magazine where they are rendered alot better and I love them, great lighting, great expression. Only problem I might have with them is I think they border on child pornography.

 

[craig]

A lot of media hype over this one. I think that is the greatest travesty. A lot of opinions and few facts.

 

[DepthAfield]

I think she should slap the children across the face.

1. They probably deserve it considering most parents don't discipline their children anymore these days.

2. It's faster than the lollipop thing (and cheaper too).

3. It would be funny to me.

You have forgotten to take your meds!

I read the article in American Photo… I seriously doubt these kids will suffer any long-term effects from this shoot. The young models will likely be quite proud of the Greenberg photos in years to come.

 

[rmh159]

Exactly... who cares. If you people want a cause to fight there are plenty out there that are far more worthwhile than a few crying kids.

A lot of media hype over this one. I think that is the greatest travesty. A lot of opinions and few facts.

 

[Reverend]

All great artists push the envelope of societal standards. No publicity is bad publicity.

 

[Rob]

I don't really think it's abuse on a scale worth getting upset about. However, I wouldn't want a picture of my kid looking like that. I see it more as a gimmick than anything else. The monkey pictures are pretty good though!

Rob