Are "anorexic" comments uncalled for?

03/26/2007 03:53:50 PM · #5

Yup well said, people seem to forget that this is a photo site not a personal judgement site. Only exception is if the photo is in real bad taste and was mean to be that way. Come-on guys and gals, treat this like a photo site, a place to learn and teach, a place to critique the photographic skills and technques ... NEVER a place to attack anyone personally about anything.

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

03/26/2007 03:57:44 PM · #6

There are many ways that these feelings could have been expressed tactfully - without coming off insulting or attacking. I just wish that commenters had chosen one of those.

Qart

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/26/2007 04:00:49 PM · #7

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

ETA: I find such comments both shallow and mean-spirited.

And the authors doubly so.

lowonenergy

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

03/26/2007 04:19:42 PM · #8

Totally agree Rebecca :)

ShaneBlake

Nikon D7100

03/26/2007 04:28:08 PM · #9

about as uncalled for as toyan's response in the image discription of "fat ass couch potatoes" i'd say...

name calling in response to name calling... kinda silly, really...

mattmac

03/26/2007 04:28:19 PM · #10

It seems to me, judgment comments such as those that are being discussed, are more of a reflection on the one commenting than they are of the subject.

That being said, comments are not always critiques - to me, comments are just reactionary opinions...nothing more, and they are rarely based on facts. Also, being that this is such a popular international site, there is a tremendous spectrum of humor, religious, political, and moral stances that may be attempted to be conveyed through comments. That should be taken into consideration when reading comments...take them for what they are worth. (It should also be taken into consideration when writing comments, too).

-People can be judgmental (like my opening sentence above) :-)
-Many people (unfortunately) don't think before they speak (or type).
-The intention behind the written word can be easily misunderstood.
-Be calm when reacting to comments and take the high road...the view is much better.

And...I found the image to be absolutely striking.

03/26/2007 04:35:55 PM · #11

Originally posted by kudzu:

about as uncalled for as toyan's response in the image discription of "fat ass couch potatoes" i'd say...

name calling in response to name calling... kinda silly, really...

of course but he was frustrated and not pointing to a specific photo or person.

That model let herself go for those images and has been greatly disrespected.

Konador

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

03/26/2007 04:37:54 PM · #12

I would like to say to start, that I think the photograph in question is a great piece of art and its quality can not really be argued. My post is from my own personal perspective, not SC.

I do have a few opinions about this debate.

Firstly, I take heart in the fact that not everyone finds all the dangerously skinny models in the public eye these days attractive - not saying that Romy is one of these, but still it's nice to know. There are people who are naturally skinny, and it can be hard to differentiate, especially in a still photograph from a single angle. That said, it is (unfortunately) photos like this one, with healthy models or not, which are creating a more and more prevalent opinion in teenage girls that they have to look like this, and for the girls who aren't naturally skinny, extreme dieting is the easiest (if not only) way for them to achieve it.

So far I haven't said anorexia, since there is a difference. Losing a lot of weight to look thin like Roma or Victoria Beckham or Kiera Knightly isn't the same thing as having anorexia nervosa. Anorexia is a mental illness which gives the girls a distorted body image, so no matter how thin they get, they always feel they need to get skinnier. They don't just not want to eat, they feel extreme fear when presented with food and extreme guilt if having been forced to eat it.

I guess the comments may just be ill-informed about this, and use anorexic as a generalised term for skinny, for which the media is partly to blame, but to me it does appear that some of them are in jest (particularly the cheeseburger one) and I wouldn't really take them personally. If Romy knows she is healthy then she really has nothing to worry about.

However, if Romy really HAD been anorexic, then I would be very worried about the comments. And the fact that as far as the commenters' knew, she could have been, is very irresponsible on their part in my opinion. Many people suffering from anorexia have such a low self esteem as it is that comments like these could jut make them feel even worse about themselves as they are often very fragile. The fact some are even said in a joking way would make them worse as they may feel people were laughing at them. Even if they know people think they are too skinny and don't like their appearence, they don't then think "I'd better put on some weight to sort it out"; they think "How can I look better? I should get thinner so they will like me more and I can look better".

So really, my point is that unless you know for certain, you really shouldn't make comments like these, if not for the respect of the model then for their safety. Don't throw around words when you don't know the consequences.

Anorexia nervosa is a killer and shouldn't be joked about.

Message edited by author 2007-03-26 16:41:43.

elru21

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

03/26/2007 04:42:12 PM · #13

I agree that comments attacking the model are uncalled for, and not constructive in any way.

Many, many elements of the image, however, seem to converge to create the impression of a sort of surreal thinness (for lack of a better word). The lighting, the pose, even the title. I think that is part of the allure of the image, which I find both striking and stunning. I also assumed that it was part of the photographer's intent.

I am not surprised many people were struck by this aspect of the image/model's appearance in this particular image. Again, I don't think that name calling is in any way appropriate. I just wasn't surprised that people reacted to it. Reactions are part of the artistic process.

Liza

Message edited by author 2007-03-26 16:43:44.

dsmil

Olympus E-510

03/26/2007 04:42:16 PM · #14

Let's call it what it is....a terrific photograph.

03/26/2007 04:45:38 PM · #15

Well Ben. Bravo for bringing some perspective to this. That was really great!

I would like to say I think if she had long hair and some sexy outfit on (or perhaps showing T&A as per request in the comments) all posed in a Vogue manner no one would give a darn that she was thin. But the fact that the image is unique and the model has a very interesting, out of the box look, and it made some peole "uncomfortable" made degrading comments fly.

I did not get the thought that she was TOO thin. She is thin. I am thin and always have been. I know a few girls that are much thinner than her and are certainly NOT anorexic.

And as Ben said, anorerxia is a mental problem. It's a problem with control. They must control what they eat. And let me add, not all anorexic (or bulimic) people are THIN! You can have the problem and bounce around binging and purging and starving and getting back on track and have tremendous internal problems and still look like everyone else.

Message edited by author 2007-03-26 16:47:27.

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

03/26/2007 04:45:54 PM · #16

Originally posted by Konador:

Anorexia nervosa is a killer and shouldn't be joked about.

As is obesity. If the model had been overweight and comments made about that, would this discussion be happening at all?

03/26/2007 04:49:50 PM · #17

Originally posted by quiet_observation:

Originally posted by Konador:

Anorexia nervosa is a killer and shouldn't be joked about.

As is obesity. If the model had been overweight and comments made about that, would this discussion be happening at all?

OF COURSE! It's way less acceptable to point out someone as being fat than skinny. There have been many photos of overweight people on here and I don't think anyone would comment on them like they have this model.

Konador

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

03/26/2007 04:51:20 PM · #18

Originally posted by quiet_observation:

I think it would if it had the same attention (winning the blue ribbon with the photographer engaging in an argument) yes. Lots of issues have been brought up before from photographs. I don't see why the 2 should be compared though. The model wasn't overweight and those comments were not made.

I've found in general people tend to hold back more with their insults towards people with obesity, as it is an known taboo in society that things like that just shouldn't be said. Anorexia has been brought the public eye much more recently though, and people still don't know enough about it or what boundaries should or shouldn't be crossed.

Message edited by author 2007-03-26 16:52:29.

Qart

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/26/2007 04:52:49 PM · #19

Originally posted by quiet_observation:

Probably. People with good sense and taste will usually take the same stand.

Louis

Nikon D800

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D

03/26/2007 04:54:02 PM · #20

It's a compelling and stunning photo, and I think Toyan's strong reaction to the comments is understandable. I'm also surprised (once again) by the lack of maturity of some of the virulent commenters. It's kinda sad. And I think study of the image and the outtake of Romy would show that she is certainly not anorexic. Her face is positively plump. (In a good way!)

fotomann_forever

03/26/2007 04:54:02 PM · #21

Originally posted by escapetooz:

There have been many photos of overweight people on here and I don't think anyone would comment on them

It has been done before.

goc

Apple iPhone 4

03/26/2007 04:54:26 PM · #22

Originally posted by quiet_observation:

If the model had been overweight and comments made about that, would this discussion be happening at all?

good point, i think it would not.

03/26/2007 04:54:31 PM · #23

Originally posted by Konador:

Originally posted by quiet_observation:

Originally posted by Konador:

Anorexia nervosa is a killer and shouldn't be joked about.

As is obesity. If the model had been overweight and comments made about that, would this discussion be happening at all?

I think it would if it had the same attention (winning the blue ribbon with the photographer engaging in an argument) yes. Lots of issues have been brought up before from photographs. I don't see why the 2 should be compared though. The model wasn't overweight and those comments were not made.

I've found in general people tend to hold back more with their insults towards people with obesity, as it is an known taboo in society that things like that just shouldn't be said. Anorexia has been brought the public eye much more recently though, and people still don't know enough about it or what boundaries should or shouldn't be crossed.

You can bet your butt that if someone said this model is morbidly obese... get her a salad (like the comment about getting this one a burger) there would no doubt be HUGE controversy.

fotomann_forever

03/26/2007 04:56:05 PM · #24

Originally posted by Qart:

I agree.

mattmac