Even Barbie bruises

All images from Tyler's website which can be found here

Tyler Shields revealed these photographs a few days ago showcasing Glee's Heather Morris with a bruised face, posing on an ironing board and holding an iron, in what I think is meant to be some kind of ironic housewife image. The Photographer has now been criticised (and received death threats...) by many who think these images are too controversial. On his own website where he posted the images, one person wrote, "So wait, are we glamorising bruises/abuse now?". And I think to a certain extend many people have the right to be outraged, from a general public view, the image of Heather looking directly in to the camera with a bruised eye is somewhat disturbing, yet at the same time extremely beautiful. From the world of fashion, where boundaries are made to be pushed, the images are playful, with the tying up of the hands and the cheeky expressions used. No one can ever be sure what the photographers inspiration or theme was behind the shoot, we can only look at the end result and cast our opinion, and I think that is where it gets difficult because we all, individually, have our own slant on the image we're analysing. For me, I think the shoot is neither clever or glamorising abuse. For the majority of the photographs take away the black eye and all you have is a beautiful girl posing to the camera. My favourites are the 2nd and 5th photographs, I love the lighting of the black and white image, the shadow cast on the floor and the elegant, almost surreal pose she manages to hold. Both images have nothing to do with causing controversy or trying to be edgy, it is to put it simply, beautiful photography. Debate will no doubt continue to go on, since the photographs were published however, Tyler has issued an apology and this..

“However we do have people talking, so I will auction off three photos for $100,000 each and I will give every penny to charity if they sell.

“So if you are anti-domestic abuse spread the word about it. Threatening to kill me is not going to help anything.”

No matter what you think about his photographs, you can't disagree with him there.