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Models Make Everything Better: Vogue's Sexy Hurricane Sandy Photo Spread
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 17, 2013
Modified Jan 17, 2013
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 17, 2013
Modified Jan 17, 2013
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Vogue, the glossy magazine where spouses of the world's most murderous despots get their news, sent Annie Leibovitz to photograph New York City's many first responders for a feature celebrating their heroism during Hurricane Sandy. Though certainly well-meaning, why even have models in the frame at all?
"Because it's Vogue" is not an acceptable answer. It's not difficult to find stories that provide context on how these first responders—firefighters, Coast Guard members, NYPD, ConEd workers, Bellevue Hospital staffers—helped real New Yorkers survive during the storm and its (continuing) aftermath. Why not shoot those real people with the heroes instead of well-dressed props? Vogue comes off as being entirely clueless ("Hang on! We'll throw you a flotation waif! Watch her heels!") and the models just look out of place. Also, where are the MTA employees? The volunteers?
Hmmm, *flips through legal textbook defining necessary parameters for Fair Use doctrine*.
Or perhaps Leibovitz used the models to show how incredible first responders look compared to the sterile, bored models (except for this neonatal care unit photo in which this model appears to be laughing at a baby covering its face, no doubt mortified by all the attention). Probably not though.
Katherine Goldstein at Slate puts it best:
Did Leibovitz not realize that the real, non-model people in her lens were 20,000 times more captivating and alive than the models or the clothes?
Vogue's photo of the NYPD's Special Operations Division
The NYPD put its Vogue photographer on its Facebook page, baffling some people, "Dude wtf Those models look cropped in...just wrong wrong wrong," "Models????? people risking their lives and two walking skeletons spoil a good pic," and "Would gladly have shared this but can't figure out the rationale for the models in the photo so, nope."
We asked FDNY spokesman Frank Dwyer what he thought of the Vogue photo showing the Far Rockaway crew. He replied:
Vogue put a spotlight on the great work of FDNY members—and all first responders and agencies—who worked tirelessly before, during and after the storm.
Mission accomplished? At least it's better than 100 photos of scotch.
Tagged
fdny
hurricane sandy
nypd
vogue
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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