White Girl Poses for African Queen Shoot

White Girl Poses for African Queen Shoot

In a recent editorial for Numero magazine white model Ondria Hardin poses as an “African Queen.” With a ton of deep bronzer the white model fit the part, but why not choose an African American model? The modeling agency that represents Ondria also had several black women to choose from, however the magazine chose to paint Ondria instead.

I personally think the magazine and agency could have found a better model to fit the part. Should the magazine have hired a black woman instead of painting Ondria black to fit the African Queen editorial?

African Queen 8 300x400 White Girl Poses for African Queen Shoot

African Queen 3 300x400 White Girl Poses for African Queen Shoot

African Queen 91 300x400 White Girl Poses for African Queen Shoot

African Queen 12 300x400 White Girl Poses for African Queen Shoot

4 ONDRIA HARDIN SELF SERVICE ALASDAIR MCLELLAN 160 White Girl Poses for African Queen Shoot

(via Jezebel)

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http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853450690 Jon Sharman
This is a seriously, seriously pointless post. I love fstoppers, but if this is an effect of bringing on new writers then please, don’t bring on new writers.
http://zsuttonphoto.com/ Zach Sutton Photography
Jerrit is one of the oldest writers on the site. Furthermore, I think this absolutely applies to the fashion industry, which is a large portion of the photography community.
The beauty of the website is that we post multiple articles a day, so if one doesn’t catch your fancy, you have the option of looking at the other posts from the day.
DeathNTexas
I deeply disagree. This is really big issue in fashion photography (as well as other creative arts and society as a whole).
This is a topic that needs to be discussed. I understand that the author did not go into any deeper issues , but he did essentially sum up part of the problem and open it up for conversation. From what I can tell, fstoppers has a philosophy that they don’t take a side in political/social issues.
http://www.facebook.com/daniel.mora Daniel Mora
Is the model from South Africa? If so, there’s nothing wrong with it, until they put her in “black face”
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853450690 Jon Sharman
Which is what I normally do, but this is a shock-driven article that ultimately people will have an opinion on, but nobody will learn anything from the discussion. Normally I can be guaranteed to learn something new when I read a comment thread on an fstoppers piece, this is just going to polarize opinions in an unhelpful way. But hey, it might drive traffic.
http://twitter.com/AlviDee Alvin Dharmawan
As a society we are so immersed in white privilege where something like this that should offend us…doesn’t? That’s definitely a big problem…and far from pointless.
http://zsuttonphoto.com/ Zach Sutton Photography
Its opening a stream of discussion on the current moral issues of the fashion industry. Perhaps you won’t learn something from that, but certainly someone will.
And sure, this isn’t some fancy new product announcement or a well put together video on YouTube, but its something still worth discussing on a photography website.
If you were hired to shoot this piece, and you saw that they were essentially putting a model in black face, would you say something? Do you have an obligation to say something, or are you there solely to press the shutter button?
http://www.jerritpruyn.com Jerrit Pruyn
She is from North Carolina.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853450690 Jon Sharman
Fair enough.
No, I wouldn’t say anything I had shot that piece. I wouldn’t have liked it much, but I wouldn’t have said anything.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853450690 Jon Sharman
OK, well I’m going to ignore the fact you assumed it didn’t offend me, it does. But it doesn’t offend me any more than seeing the kind of skinny, barebones models they pick for the majority of shoots instead of more full-bodied girls, and it doesn’t offend me any more than seeing the amount of retouching they do on models who still only weigh 100 pounds.
So I would leave “white privilege” out of it, that was nowhere near my point.
http://zsuttonphoto.com/ Zach Sutton Photography
And that’s where we differ. I would have said something, and shown some sort of unbefittingness towards the whole scene.
So perhaps we could learn a thing or two from each other…
And here you were saying that nothing with a point could come from this post.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853450690 Jon Sharman
Haha, I like what you did there. I didn’t learn something, I knew people would have a different opinion – but I get your point. And I apologize for being harsh on Jerrit.
http://www.thomaslawn.net/ Thomas Lawn
As someone who isn’t remotely involved in the fashion world, I probably would never have seen these photos. However, they do interest me as both a photographer and a person, so thank you to Jarrit for posting it.
I’m saddened that your post is the first in the list of comments – it really sucks to read an article and first thing see a hateful, ignorant, and pointless comment come up first. This is a problem with comments sections in general, but especially photography: someone has to say it sucks, is pointless, inane, or miscategorized.
I’m sorry it doesn’t interest you, but the team of writers on Fstoppers doesn’t work for you, they work for the readers. They have different tastes. They post varied content to appeal to different people, and maybe even extend your horizons.
Next time you feel the need to shoot down someone else’s work, maybe think about being constructive. Maybe this article would’ve been more suited to your tastes if the author addressed the way the portraits were lit? Maybe you feel that it needs more photography-specific technical information? If you can’t come up with a reason to read it, maybe you should just save everyone’s time and NOT post a comment, and instead go lurk reddit or something. Let those of us that want to comment and have a discussion about the topic at hand do that, while you go spend your time elsewhere.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853450690 Jon Sharman
First, let me address the “hateful” comment – if I was inclined to use profanity towards someone, this is where I’d use it. I work for a non-profit that spends 90% of it’s resources towards racial equality throughout the world, so you can shove it saying hateful.
My annoyance wasn’t at the content of the post, it was at the thought of what the comments section might turn into in a post like this. Clearly I may have misread the situation, and have already apologized about my harshness towards Jerrit and taken on board what Zach said.
But yeah, you can do one saying that I’m ignorant and hateful.
Jr Miller
This isn’t a new issue. Anyone remember all those old westerns where white men were painted up to look like the native people of the USA?
Specifically in fashion, I do see many black models who get chosen because they have “white” features. Kinda sad but there has been progress in our society. Ask anyone over 70 years old.
http://www.jerritpruyn.com Jerrit Pruyn
I agree it goes both ways for sure. My girlfriend was cut out of musical in NY because they needed more color in the show. She was with the show since the beginning but the guys with money wanted a black girl.
http://www.thomaslawn.net/ Thomas Lawn
I understand that you and Zach came to an understanding, but I still don’t think you understand. I don’t think you’re hateful. Apparently you do good work, and that’s awesome.
Your comment displays a certain entitlement and self-righteousness that is so prevalent on the internet. It occurs to me that, yes, my rant was a little much. However, you must recognize that, especially given your concerns about what the comments would “turn into in a post like this,” your comment that states “This is a seriously, seriously pointless post” would certainly make the comments all the worse.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=591010688 Michaël Marcopoulos
This is a real issue, this is the reason why people do chirurgical operation or try to get their skin whiter.
This can’t append in France, it’s just racism.Because of the domination of white men image, they’re is a social racism in France. Some people avoid arab or black people for no reason.Girls are scared of them.You can’t just ignore this.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=853450690 Jon Sharman
But that’s why, to me, it was pointless, because I thought it would spawn discussion that is not at all productive. Unwittingly, I then spawned that kind of discussion myself.
Entitlement and self-righteousness? Again, you can do one man. It was poorly worded, I’m the first to admit that, but acting as though it came from a place of hatred, white privilege, entitlement, whatever – that’s just ridiculous. My statement was poorly chosen, I’ve tried to clarify my point and apologized in Jerrit’s direction, but any psycho-analysis you’re trying to make is way, way off track.
http://twitter.com/amthur88 Anthony Thurston
How is this offensive? They chose to make a creative decision and paint a white person black. Maybe she is what they were looking for, except for skin color. People need to stop being so sensitive over everything. If this was about a black model that was painted white for a shoot we would not be having this discussion. enough said.
http://www.bertmclendon.com Bert McLendon
I can see your point about it being a little weird when they have “other options”. It’s like photographing a Chevy Camaro for a Ford Mustang Ad and photoshopping it so that it looks like the Mustang. It’s a little weird, BUT, it’s their magazine, it’s their taste and it’s their brand so they can do what they want. This happens ALL THE TIME on different levels in the industry, Old people photographed to look young, fat people photographed to look skinny, etc… If they’re going for a certain look, a look that they think hasn’t been done before, then thinking outside the box might have led to the decision to “photograph a white chick painted to look like an African American”. That certainly has a different look to it, one that I haven’t seen before. It’s Advertising, almost everything is falsely skewed to look like something that it isn’t. Just my 2 pennies.
the_pro_amateur
Who cares?? This is a ridiculous post. They saw a model who fit what they wanted and they made it work. Why do they use makeup on young people instead of hiring someone old? Where’s the post on that? This is the same bullshit as the gay ad being rejected. People just want to cause controversy and arguments. If the photographer was racist, they probably wouldn’t have a “black” person featured at all.
DeathNTexas
I think you would be correct if they were making a statement about race, then it would be a valid artistic decision. Otherwise they are creating a distraction to their own concept.
As artists, I believe they have the right to free speech, but if the photographer/magazine chooses to ignore the baggage that comes along with their representations (i.e. the history of black face in white culture and its implications), I question their skill as artists in reading the culture and producing a photograph with a clear concept without unnecessary distractions.
I also question the ethics of hiring a model of one race to represent another. It has whiffs of racial discrimination. The implication being that out of all the black models out there, the white model was better (at being black?). This has historically been the position of any culture that oppresses another.
I am not saying the magazine or photographers are racist, or intentionally discriminating, but what they did is inherently racially, culturally, and historically insensitive. This isn’t about people being butt-hurt. It is about messaging, and they apparently suck at it.
Philip Chan
“Hired a black woman” not “women”.
Yes, they should have. But oh well. Fashion has been racist for a while and the industry doesn’t seem to see the need to change.
http://twitter.com/THEGREATZEEE THE GREAT ZEEE
i totally agree. why use a black model when there are perfectly good white model that can do it. all we have to do is put make up on to make them look black. i mean really who needs black people any way right?
the_pro_amateur
…You agree with the opposite of what I said? I’m sure you think you’re being clever. Sorry to burst your bubble kiddo.
Your logic is that (in your mind) the photographer doesn’t want any people with dark skin ON THE PLANET, so they took someone with light skin and made them darker. Can’t wait to hear you explain that one.
merwin shaw
You wouldn’t get a Black woman to play the Queen of England.
merwin shaw
I’m sure you mean this Ironically
DeathNTexas
This is old, and I think it has been covered here on fstoppers, but this deals with some of the same issues. This talk and the above article give context to each other.
http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_aren_t_everything_believe_me_i_m_a_model.html
merwin shaw
This statement is completely pointless.
http://twitter.com/THEGREATZEEE THE GREAT ZEEE
yea you are right. why not get a “light skin actor, make them dark so they can play Django instead of jamie fox. no harm at all. who needs black actors
http://www.blastcow.com/ Marc Osborne Jr
How do we know its not a white balance issue?
Jarrah FitzGerald
If the creative decision is made to have a white model look darker, then that’s all it is: a creative decision. It doesn’t have to ‘mean’ anything beyond colour and contrast (the basics of photography). If you choose to read into it then that’s your reality, not necessarily the intention of the creatives behind it.
If you pick a black model because they are black, then technically that’s racist – as it’s based purely on skin colour. SO, the argument can be made that this is in fact the complete opposite of racism… But I wouldn’t expect the majority of people I read posts from on this site to understand that logic.
The ridiculous number of Politically Correct automatons that run around these days kicking up their skirts and crying over the smallest things need to be rounded up and branded as the sub-human robots they are. Get a brain before you start to scribble your half-formed crazy PC rants people, then think, then and only then should you open your mouth to talk.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WZFNDSQFYXL2TP3NP2AVEQV32U RUSS
Someone used a model and used makeup to make her look totally different than she normally does….
wow
big news
http://profile.yahoo.com/4IUITH2JX6K6TQPCTPNFJGEVLA Agamemnon
E mai bine asa. Albele sunt mai frumoase.
http://www.facebook.com/ziazon Jason Lei
Who gives a flying f***. I mean seriously they made her look darker with make up… lah di dah big f***ing whoop, it’s a creative decision, heck it’s their decision and if you read into it and say it’s offensive this way or offensive that way, your really just trying to find controversy where there isn’t any. It’s like you being offended by someone who decided to dress a certain way, which is utterly stupendous. Grow the f*** up. The s*** I’m beginning to read on this site…
justafa1
who cares?
justafa1
yeah…. but the “blogsphere” has to produce “news”.
well fstoppers could do real journalism or produce reviews of products.. but this crap is so much easier to produce.
http://profile.yahoo.com/H3N2AAX42CFI5VF26MKMDYYKOE Nicholas
I guess it wouldn’t be fair to any caucasian girl who dreams of being an ebony queen to have their chance, but asking if it would’ve been easier in-camera if the artists hired an actual ebony queen, is a fair question. Get it right in-camera I say. :)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alan-Byland/722235544 Alan Byland
at the end of the day, it is what it is, maybe the photographer wanted it to look odd, or just to get publicity, we’ve all seen it now, wouldnt have seen it if it was an african woman. why cant a white woman be an african queen with a tanned face? just as it wouldnt be an issue if they had employed an african model to do a Russian Queen shoot and painted her caucasion…hold up…MY IDEA!!! haha
Nojuststop
To everyone saying so what? Why are you so simple minded? Since when did a ebony woman go and paint herself WHITE to play the role of a white woman? Its the principle. Why use a caucasian female for a African Queen (dark skinned) role. Thats ridiculous. And to see that some of you are adults saying these senseless things. HA!
http://www.facebook.com/norshan Norshan Nusi
This reminds me of Avatar: The Last Airbender film.
Andres Trujillo
While the magazine could have been a little bit smarter in their choice, I am just as offended as when I saw the Wayan brothers playing “white chicks”
Michaël Marcopoulos
This remind me “Geisha” the movie, the japanese people were really upset because they took 2 chinese women for the main character. Just the 2 most famouse asian actress in USA…
You can’t take a white to play a black, it’s a manner to ignore and insult reallity.
http://www.facebook.com/thewizardofhops LaRon Stewart
I think it would be awesome for someone to do a juxtapose of this idea, right in front of Buckingham Palace.
http://www.facebook.com/dmcfotonyc Dwayne Michael Campbell
To all the commenters and photographers in particular who says “who cares” and “so what?”. I and obviously a lot of other people care. Numero execs and the photographer (who is also a “minority”) should have stopped and thought about the implications of what they were doing. I’ve stated before that this was not shot as some form of personal artistic expression. It was shot simply as a fashion editorial. This only becomes offensive to me once the entire editorial is taken into consideration. They used a white model, darkened her skin, dressed her in “black african” styled attire and titled it “African Queen”, this is where the problem lies. The entire implication of this editorial is “black african”. I would not have been offended at all if they didn’t make her up to look black. “it’s 2013 who cares”! Well it’s 2013 and Numero should care because they still need a lesson racial sensitivity. Before you paint a white woman in black face, dress her in traditional black african attire and call her african queen why not just book a “beautiful african queen” model.
http://www.facebook.com/timgallo84 Tim Gallo
is it offensive in any way without the words and knowledge that she is white? if you`re put it in offensive way – it will look in offensive way, anything will look offensive. you can bring any “~ism” to anything, this is how “simple” mind works.
i thought that photographers are more open people, more wiser and ignore the boundaries and borders… for the sake of something they want to create. i am pretty much sure that the clothes she wears are created by white and gay men. so does it makes it offensive towards women?
why don`t you present this picture as a great idea, a freedom, maybe they had an goal to make it look more borderless… maybe they had positive message? or the goal lied in some opposite direction.
if you find it offensive, you have to find offensive 90 percent of the movie and photography industry. we retouch, with light we make people look different, more beautiful or scary, we are looking for the most attractive models to represent the clothes. this “world” is build vertically! and mostly it is a business of lies, get used to it.
http://twitter.com/michelobx If i Ruled the World
not enough slaps to hand out…
http://www.facebook.com/SamiFaith Samantha DeCoteau
I don’t think I agree. If it was vice versa we would indeed still be having this discussion. You don’t know if it was a creative decision. It may have just been they’d rather have a white person’s facial features represent in their magazine. So yes, people are allowed to feel offended by that prospect.
Poppa_Kapp
It would be different if they just photographed a white african, but they intentionally put her in black face. This is offensive. So, tired of people doing blatantly offensive things and acting like the people you offend are in the wrong for reacting. It is possible to see race and appreciate race and not be racist.

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