What Do We Do When Good Photographers Are Bad People?

The truth is that there are many talented creatives out there who might not necessarily be the best people behind the scenes. Should we separate the art from the artist, or should their work be boycotted? This great video discusses this rather nuanced topic.

Coming to you from Jamie Windsor, this fascinating video discusses the issue of separating the art from the artist. With the internet exposing our lives and actions more than ever, we see more and more of a person's life on public display, and often, that can create a complex issue of having to reconcile the actions in their personal lives with their work. If we choose to hold a person accountable through our approval of their work, then we have to consider both what moral standards we agree upon for judgment and what is forgivable or not. And often, whether we like to admit it or not, the more talented a person is, the more leeway they are often given for their actions. While I certainly do not claim to have absolute answers to moral questions, I definitely think it is something we should all think about. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Windsor. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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4 Comments

Be careful with the cancel culture BS because it will backfire on you at some point. Today your acceptable tomorrow depending on who’s doing the judging you may not. It’s a rabbit hole we don’t need or want. You don’t like the person don’t look that’s your option don’t tell others what their options are then enforce it. To each their own.

As photographers, the only difference between our work and anybody else's is that we put ourselves in to that work. Our vision, our concepts, our misconceptions. Our beliefs shape how we act, what we do. Some, such as Bill Cosby are very good at hiding it. Others not so much. My belief is that it is very difficult to separate the art from the artist because really good art, in all mediums, comes from the heart and soul of the artist. They are imbued in their work.

Very interesting and complex issue.
What level of sin warrants banishment?
What level of accomplishment outweighs the deeds of the individual?

If a doctor developed a quick and simple cure for most cancers and later it was found they were guilty of misconduct would their work, the cure, be then banned from use? Would their work be stripped from medical journals? Would you refuse treatment with their cure?

Allow talent and creativity to stand on its own merit. Let the tainted legacy of the creator serve as bulletin we have issues in society in need of attention and correction.