Author Topic: Interesting photo illustration (Read 4386 times)

Allsa · « **on:** June 09, 2010, 08:20 »

There's a really interesting article on Bernie Madoff's life in prison in New York magazine, but the reason I'm posting about it here is because of the photos of 'Bernie in prison' that accompany the article. Naturally no photographer is going to be allowed to do a photo shoot of Madoff in prison, so this photographer used a model that resembles Madoff, then somehow they got access to a prison (maybe one not in use?) and shot a series of photos depicting Madoff sitting in a cell, sweeping floors, ect, ect. Here's a link:
http://nymag.com/news/crimelaw/66468/?dbk

I've wondered about doing this sort of thing; I do 3D, and I have a model that looks like Obama. But they'd have to be editorial, and after looking at many of the editorial photos in Dreamstime, and seeing that the vast majority of them get very few if any downloads; there's not much incentive to give it a try. But I did think it was an interesting approach to photo illustration, as well as fascinating article about a psychopath.

Dook · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2010, 09:00 »

It is very strange to see photo illustrations used in this kind of article. These pictures don't give us any additional information needed for the article. I see they run a lot of great photo illustrations, but here it wasn't appropriate, I think.

cathyslife · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2010, 09:03 »

That is interesting, but I am curious about the whole privacy issues can of worms. I see they have posted a disclaimer and said it is a photo illustration, but legally, does Bernie Madoff have any rights here as far as invasion of privacy? Would Obama if you used a 3D model of him in a major magazine story? Would you need model releases?

I am curious about the legalities of this whole issue. I am not sure law has even been written on it yet. Anyone here know?

cthoman · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2010, 09:17 »

That's weird. Why not just hire an illustrator? I thought that was what illustration was for.

michaeldb · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2010, 11:17 »

Once again, the boundary between reality and un-reality gets blurred. The 'photos' look a little like VRay renders. Maybe with a Poser model imported into Maya. And maybe the head Photoshopped on in postwork.

louoates · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2010, 12:14 »

With so many faked photographs discovered from major news organizations I think this approach is sickening. It further erodes faith in the editorial world, even with the disclaimer below the photo. Readers do not live in a vacuum. It would be very easy to lump this example in with the latest faked news photo and come to the conclusion that "they all do it".

The other objection I have is that it confuses the story being featured. I'm thinking while reading the text that this model isn't "real". I wonder if this story is faked too. Maybe the intention was to deceive the reader as Bernie deceived his customers. If so, The New York Magazine was successful.

For stock photographs I often pose as a doctor, jail inmate, golfer, senior citizen, etc. But I'm not mistaken for someone famous. At least I don't think so. I would think that the 3-d modeling idea would be a better for stock if it was generic, with no confusion with someone famous.

cathyslife · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2010, 12:39 »

Quote from: louoates on June 09, 2010, 12:14

(clip) The other objection I have is that it confuses the story being featured. I'm thinking while reading the text that this model isn't "real". I wonder if this story is faked too. Maybe the intention was to deceive the reader as Bernie deceived his customers. If so, The New York Magazine was successful.

That's a good point. If the writer wants to appear credible, using fake photos doesn't seem the right way to go. It would have made way more sense to hire an illustrator to do sketches, similar to the sketches that artists in court do, to run with the story. That way, the focus is more on the story, not the fake images.

P.S. I was busy studying the photo illustration for lighting, props, etc. Didn't even bother reading the story.

cthoman · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2010, 13:22 »

If they were going to do a fake photo, they could have at least put him in his cell, in a hot tub, and with a few big hairy bikini clad inmates.

RacePhoto · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2010, 14:41 »

Maybe this guy a look alike who's going to cash in on it with a movie role. Kind of interesting.

http://www.examiner.com/x-5590-Acting-Examiner~y2009m6d30-Bernie-Madoffs-accidental-lookalike-actor--Paul-Cohen

I don't know louoates you could be confused with Dr. Jack?

Someone that used to stay at the hotel where I was a bartender said I looked like Billy Joel. I don't think so? Then there's the Paul Giamatti resemblance? Bald guy with a short beard? I'm in the mob scene composite joke that I made for this site, otherwise I don't take photos of myself. Nice part of being behind the camera.

Allsa · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2010, 16:04 »

Quote from: cclapper on June 09, 2010, 12:39

Quote from: louoates on June 09, 2010, 12:14
(clip) The other objection I have is that it confuses the story being featured. I'm thinking while reading the text that this model isn't "real". I wonder if this story is faked too. Maybe the intention was to deceive the reader as Bernie deceived his customers. If so, The New York Magazine was successful.

That's a good point. If the writer wants to appear credible, using fake photos doesn't seem the right way to go. It would have made way more sense to hire an illustrator to do sketches, similar to the sketches that artists in court do, to run with the story. That way, the focus is more on the story, not the fake images.

P.S. I was busy studying the photo illustration for lighting, props, etc. Didn't even bother reading the story.

Another option would be to use the photos as a basis for some digital paintings; that would be my choice - unless photo realism is required for the assignment.