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Heath Ledger in Vanity Fair; slightly recycled

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YaadPyar:
Vanity Fair's Digital Redux
by Mike Krumboltz   
February 4, 2009


Heath Ledger Vanity Fair is known for its provocative photographs. Last year, Miley's "backless" photo lit a firestorm of controversy that's still burning in Search. Now the magazine is back in the buzz after recycling a few well-worn pics for its most recent issue.

In the mag's March issue, famed photographer Annie Leibovitz snapped shots of acclaimed actors and their directors. Kate Winslet and hubbie Sam Mendes, who teamed up for "Revolutionary Road," strike a pose. There's Sean Penn and Gus Van Sant, who worked together on "Milk." And, oddly, there's Heath Ledger and Christopher Nolan of "The Dark Knight." Of course, Mr. Ledger died more than a year ago, so one may be inclined to ask where the photo came from.

The answer: 2005. The shot of Ledger was apparently taken while he was promoting "Brokeback Mountain." Editors digitally added Mr. Nolan and voilá. Some might say the digital redux is in questionable taste, but magazine reps insist they took great care and worked "with permission." We're a little fuzzy as to who, exactly, gave the OK. A Ouija board, perhaps?

Less controversial but still bizarre was Vanity Fair's cover shot of President Obama from the same March issue. The photo was originally taken back in 2007 and was actually on the cover for a special issue on Africa. We're not sure why Vanity Fair recycled, but we assume the leader of the free world was just too darn busy to come in and pose. Interestingly, unlike the Ledger photo with a second added subject, Obama's photo redux digitally removed actor Don Cheadle. Don't take it personally, Don. It's just show business.

Brown Eyes:
Heya Celeste!  So great to see you here at BetterMost Friend!  :D

Yep, I saw two different reports about the Nolan/Ledger photo montage in Vanity Fair on E!News and The Daily 10 on E! a few days ago.

I suppose Vanity Fair was maybe in a qundary about what to do regarding Heath.  The image looks respectfully done.  And, in a strange way, I'm very happy they used a pic of Heath from Brokeback days.

But, surely there are lots of complex issues to think about with that kind of gesture by Vanity Fair. 

YaadPyar:
Yeah - how weird, right.  The re-creating of reality to satiate the the media/pop culture gods seems a bit much. 

Brown Eyes:

--- Quote from: YaadPyar on February 05, 2009, 10:44:26 pm ---Yeah - how weird, right.  The re-creating of reality to satiate the the media/pop culture gods seems a bit much. 

--- End quote ---

Yes, I agree there is something kind of odd about the gesture.  But, Vanity Fair itself can be a funny phenomenon... it teeters on a funny edge between sort-of wanting to be high-brow and being either too kitschy or too trendy.

In this specific case, though, I keep having a feeling that they were trying to do something respectful and purposefully "haunting", while trying to make sure Heath was included in a special way in that issue of the magazine.

It all comes off kind of strangely... and very Vanity Fair.

Front-Ranger:

--- Quote from: atz75 on February 05, 2009, 10:58:27 pm ---It all comes off kind of strangely... and very Vanity Fair.


--- End quote ---
That is certainly true!!

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