I don't understand why people are mad at the photographer.
My Dad, a photographer, & I had to do the samething many years ago. A man had died that had several siblings. They never had a group picture and wanted us to take a picture of them and insert their brother.
But the brother didn't have any pictures of himself, so we had to take a head shot of him in the casket.
Quite an interesting process back then.
My Dad, a photographer, & I had to do the samething many years ago. A man had died that had several siblings. They never had a group picture and wanted us to take a picture of them and insert their brother.
But the brother didn't have any pictures of himself, so we had to take a head shot of him in the casket.
Quite an interesting process back then.
1
I believe that i will go to the public library to borrow an old Mark Twain and take time to read it again, so far away from the madness of social medias
3
I suppose someone can be blamed for making money off of the bad taste and sentimentality of others. But then half our "job creators" are guilty of that offense. Kitsch is not a crime.
3
The use of social media to shame is way out of control. Alleged transgressors are harassed mercilessly, much of it enabled by the relative remove of the people spewing their vitriol. That remoteness also distances them from any of the situational nuance that is inevitably erased in the cascade of hate. Someone, somehow has to develop a code of behavior for social media and there should be consequences for the stone-throwers. This photographer is 100% beyond blame.
9
She's lucky she was charged with a man.
This way, he can get the greater punishment and she will practically walk.
The penal system routinely punishes men more for the same crime.
This way, he can get the greater punishment and she will practically walk.
The penal system routinely punishes men more for the same crime.
1
To the contrary - my experience is that mothers usually get far more blame than fathers. Even when the father (or step-father or boyfriend) is the one who harms or kills the child, the mother is blamed for letting it happen - they are held to a different standard in our society.
2
"Blamed," yes.
But not sentenced.
Your experience is limited.
Men get 63% more jail time for the same crime.
But not sentenced.
Your experience is limited.
Men get 63% more jail time for the same crime.
1
WTH does the photographer have to do with this?! Imagine, back in the day, when a dead body had to sit around the house for a few days, while the family waited for a photographer to show up... Then having to sit beside the dead body for a last photo!
5
Whoa! According to most Internet and fox/Breitbart commentators, White, presumably Christian, parents are the best kind who never harm their kids!
I was told that two parent, straight couple, families are the most secure.
Huh. Who would have thought that such groups could be misinformed or lie.
I was told that two parent, straight couple, families are the most secure.
Huh. Who would have thought that such groups could be misinformed or lie.
How ridiculous and shortsighted of you to make a blanket statement about a religious group based on this case
One could also argue transgenders should never be around children based on this horrific murder of a child two years ago --
http://nypost.com/2014/06/19/transgender-babysitter-charged-with-murder-...
I remember this as the details were horrific --let's see if the Times lets this comment through -----
One could also argue transgenders should never be around children based on this horrific murder of a child two years ago --
http://nypost.com/2014/06/19/transgender-babysitter-charged-with-murder-...
I remember this as the details were horrific --let's see if the Times lets this comment through -----
2
Yeah, except this wasn't really a "two parent' family. The man involved is not the baby's father. It's the mother's boyfriend. Read the article.
1
I find the whole idea of Photoshopped photos with dead kids in them to be supremely creepy. That said, the photographer has found his "niche" and seems to have customers for this practice. Perhaps he is taking heat because of the nature of the results, not the transgressions of the parent.
1
I think the picture of the dead child being alive provides a sense that the child is alive. This photographer should not actually be linked to the murder I think that's part of the message of the article.
3
Creep AND weird.
1
It is unimaginable that anyone would want to beat a little girl, 10 days short of her third birthday, so hard that she dies. Was that person on drugs or drunk? That makes the assault comprehensible but doesn't stop us asking "why?" or "how could you?"
Little girls at that are doll-like and angelic. They have a gentleness and curiosity about them. How could that adult or adults have had the heart to do this? How did Macy threaten their lives in any way?
Innocent souls are admitted to Heaven, they say. But that isn't enough.
Little girls at that are doll-like and angelic. They have a gentleness and curiosity about them. How could that adult or adults have had the heart to do this? How did Macy threaten their lives in any way?
Innocent souls are admitted to Heaven, they say. But that isn't enough.
3
Why on God's green earth would people on social media castigate the photographer? He didn't know she had "allegedly" killed her daughter. (Innocent until proven guilty, remember). More and more of these episodes of social media running amok are appearing in the news every day. It's pretty darn scary. Leave the guy alone already!
6
Strange article, not only in terms of the substance, but the writing. Editing (and maybe a family tree) would have helped.
2
The death occurred 4 months ago. Whatever the cause of death, it is a tragic case. It appears everyone is getting ahead of themselves ... no guilt has been established ... that's what we have a legal system for. A paternal grandmother is upset and assigning blame. We don't know the background on the martial situation.
Whether or not you like the photographic style, it is what it is; some people like it and some don't. Some people read more into the pictures, e.g. devil in the hair. Perhaps this should be used instead of the Rorschach ink blot test.
I am really surprised at the ferocity and nature of the comments. There is a lot we don't know. It's premature for people to be levying the judgments made about the subjects in this article.
This is a case where social media is out of control.
Whether or not you like the photographic style, it is what it is; some people like it and some don't. Some people read more into the pictures, e.g. devil in the hair. Perhaps this should be used instead of the Rorschach ink blot test.
I am really surprised at the ferocity and nature of the comments. There is a lot we don't know. It's premature for people to be levying the judgments made about the subjects in this article.
This is a case where social media is out of control.
4
Mr. Jo learned the sometimes lesson of "no good deed goes unpunished". So sorry to see this happen to a guy who was trying to help someone he thought was bereaved.
And, for those who have used social media to slam this guy,"Judge not!". How ridiculous and idiotic can people be? Why penalize Mr. Jo? He's the good guy in this story!
And, for those who have used social media to slam this guy,"Judge not!". How ridiculous and idiotic can people be? Why penalize Mr. Jo? He's the good guy in this story!
10
Another example of a world gone mad. Hidden behind avatars and false monikers, we rush to judgement. The photographer was merely providing a service to the bereaved. He knew nothing of the circumstances of the poor girl's death and yet people feel he should be unduly punished in the court of public opinion. Social media is our common currency and though blameless, this man will be forever poorer by association. People should think things through carefully before posting criticisms online. There are real people behind these stories. There is also a very frightening possibility that anyone of us could fall foul of a social media lynch mob. Be careful out there.
8
Mr. Jo, the photographer, is also a victim of an apparently manipulative woman. It is not hard to understand why he felt moved to do something like this for what he perceived as a grieving mother.
If the allegations are true, then this is a diabolical woman who should spend the rest of her life in prison with a picture of that beautiful child to remind her of her brutality.
Justice for Macy is the primary goal & vindication of Mr.Jo a close second.
If the allegations are true, then this is a diabolical woman who should spend the rest of her life in prison with a picture of that beautiful child to remind her of her brutality.
Justice for Macy is the primary goal & vindication of Mr.Jo a close second.
8
The idea of placing blame on the photographer is one of the largest stretches of reason I can imagine, I think the blame lies with the monster of a mother.
What kind of animal murders her own daughter?
Throw her in general population with a big sign around her neck telling everyone what she did and let her fight for her life, the pig.....
What kind of animal murders her own daughter?
Throw her in general population with a big sign around her neck telling everyone what she did and let her fight for her life, the pig.....
3
You don't fight depravity with more depravity.
My mother raised me with the unrelenting reminder:
2 wrongs never make a right.
Violence begets violence.
The bigger question is how do people become so polluted in spirit that they are able to inflict such suffering on the innocent and defenseless.
My mother raised me with the unrelenting reminder:
2 wrongs never make a right.
Violence begets violence.
The bigger question is how do people become so polluted in spirit that they are able to inflict such suffering on the innocent and defenseless.
4
The article is confusing. Is the mother separated or divorced from the father of the little girl?
I'm sorry to write this, but is the NY Times becoming TMZ? How is this news fit to print?
26
Well, they ran with it, and what's interesting is that the comment reactions are largely about the social media impact and not about the horrendous murder. Really speaks to the pervasiveness of bad social media behavior, how we live with it, and complain about it a lot (myself included).
10
To hold this photographer accountable for anything aside from being subjectively tasteless is absurd. When he posted his photo with his father enough people seemed touched, so not everyone finds the gimmick tacky.
The fact that he took no money for fulfilling what he thought, in good faith, was an act to comfort a grieving mother, is proof positive of the old adage, "No good deed goes unpunished."
The fact that he took no money for fulfilling what he thought, in good faith, was an act to comfort a grieving mother, is proof positive of the old adage, "No good deed goes unpunished."
41
The whole concept of these photos is ineffably tacky, regardless of the particulars of this particular case.
20
Not everyone shares your high taste level. Greeting people seek comfort. Who are you to judge how?
34
Yes. Ghoulish.
8
Greeting people seek comfort? I think you messed up here. Grieving people is the expression. And I, too consider those photos weird. Of course, those who love them should have them.
My impression is that the Photographer was driven by good faith and she is just another victim here.
Apparently it is still true that no good deed goes unpunished.
Apparently it is still true that no good deed goes unpunished.
27
Good lord. If Ditty and Keefer did kill Macy, how is the photographer to blame? Should we wait a couple years before offering help to someone who's lost a child, just in case they end up being charged with her or his murder? Maybe Hallmark can market bereavement cards that read, "Deepest condolences at your probable loss. I'll be over with a casserole as soon as your background check goes through."
35
Well said. I'm saving my disdain and anger for the mother and boyfriend who killed this little girl. May she rest in peace.
1
What happened to the little girl is unspeakable.
But people need to get a grip.
Whatever you may think of the photos, the photog's not a policeman or a PI and he can't see into the future.
Save your anger for the person who killed the child.
But people need to get a grip.
Whatever you may think of the photos, the photog's not a policeman or a PI and he can't see into the future.
Save your anger for the person who killed the child.
25
So who put the devil head in the child's hair? His story is that the woman came to him with a sad story of her child's death. He then made these photos and was so overcome with emotion he did it for free. Later he read about it and felt compelled to come forward posting the photos. I find this devil face insert a bit too over the top. So it may be that this is a big, and effective, PR stunt taking advantage of a sick crime. For all I know this kind of thing goes on regularly with well publicized crimes - now with the enhancements of Photoshop.
The photographer himself did not post the picture of the dead girl to Facebook, that was the mother. Months before he received the call from the mother, he posted a picture of himself at his father's gravesite, with his father photoshopped into it, on Facebook.
6
And this is one of the reasons why terribly incorrect information travels quickly through social media without much chance of dialing it back.
2
True. So what to make of the little devil? Not really pareidolia given the circumstances. What, he was doing a little kitten face or Jesus in the background and old scratch got loose in his Photoshop?
So sad. Monsters to exist. As do little angels. And I'm sure the photographer is already in anguish and emotional pain--innocents suffer, the guilty don't. All bad, all sad. Rest in peace little Macy.
14
My takeaway from this tragic & senseless story? How awful Facebook is. It's a place where people habitually go to get offended, and to bully people (like Mr Jo) that they don't know.
39
I can't comprehend why anyone would blame the photographer. He is an innocent party.
48
Sometimes I think the prevailing attitudes and atmosphere of social media in some cases, with a good number of people trolling because they can, affects the ways in which people interact without them being even cognizant of it. And then there are the lemmings who will jump just because the see everyone else doing it, so surely they must be correct in their assumptions, no? smh
The apparent murder of this young child is a horrible story, but it has absolutely nothing to do with the photographer. Whatever one might think of his work, he's blameless as far as the real story -- the death of the child -- goes.
As a photographer, I am often asked for the the bizarre, the tasteless, and the tacky. The advent of Photoshop has only made things worse because now the improbable is completely possible. Generally speaking, I refuse such requests, because I can. I've been in business for a very long time. However, when I was young and just starting out, I wouldn't have had the option of being quite so picky.
I think people need to check themselves and their misdirected anger. Be furious over the loss of a young life, but leave the poor kid with the camera alone.
As a photographer, I am often asked for the the bizarre, the tasteless, and the tacky. The advent of Photoshop has only made things worse because now the improbable is completely possible. Generally speaking, I refuse such requests, because I can. I've been in business for a very long time. However, when I was young and just starting out, I wouldn't have had the option of being quite so picky.
I think people need to check themselves and their misdirected anger. Be furious over the loss of a young life, but leave the poor kid with the camera alone.
131
Well, the article is a bit silly. But I read it as a defense, or at least a counterpoint to the public critique Mr. Jo has received.
1
Post-mortem photography was an actual tradition in Victorian times - looks it up on wikipedia.
Mr. Jo is a innocent party. He should post a cease and desist letter to all of those nasty people hounding him.
Mr. Jo is a innocent party. He should post a cease and desist letter to all of those nasty people hounding him.
44
A photog gets a request from out of state to retouch a pic, and he's supposed to do an investigation into how the child die? He's supposed to ascertain whether the mother and her boyfriend may have killed the child before he agrees to taking on the job? Should we also demand a Starbucks barista to run a search on a criminal database before serving him coffee?
93
Your question is not relevant because the photographer investigated briefly and was lied to.
1
It seems worth at least a brief mention that neither of the defendants has yet been declared guilty by a jury and that a fundamental element of the entire American legal structure, in fact, one that was at the center of the American Revolution, is that we are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Based on the TINY amount of information provided about the case in this article, the prosecution appears to have a strong case. However, a rush to judgment is fundamentally un-American in that it defies the basic principle of presumed innocence.
And yes, I agree. The concept and education of the photos is tasteless.
Based on the TINY amount of information provided about the case in this article, the prosecution appears to have a strong case. However, a rush to judgment is fundamentally un-American in that it defies the basic principle of presumed innocence.
And yes, I agree. The concept and education of the photos is tasteless.
15
uuggghhh ... I hate it when I make mistakes. That last line was suppose to read,
"The concept and EXECUTION of the photos is tasteless."
Sorry about that.
"The concept and EXECUTION of the photos is tasteless."
Sorry about that.
2
Thank you for a much needed reminder of our system's presumption of innocence. I don't agree that the photos are tacky, though. I think it is a healthy step in a direction towards remembering that death is part of life and that we can acknowledge, remember, and keep close to our own deceased loved ones.
4
The tragic story of little Macy's final days on life support and then her untimely death, at the hands of Ditty's 'boyfriend', has been widely circulated here in neighboring Raleigh, and Wake county for several months. I find it despicably tasteless that this 'photographer' couldn't seem to have even been bothered to take even basic ordinary care that this now deceased little child wasn't going to be victimized twice. He obviously is not a professional by any means, at age 22. What an idiot. Poor little Macy. May she rest in peace far and away in the arms of angels who will protect her in death, as the humans in her life did not.
3
Inielsen,
What care wasn't taken by the photographer? Was he supposed to do a criminal check of a grieving customer? Perhaps give her a polygraph?
The photos are tacky but he was just making a living. How was he to know she would stand accused (which, btw, doesn't make her guilty)?
What care wasn't taken by the photographer? Was he supposed to do a criminal check of a grieving customer? Perhaps give her a polygraph?
The photos are tacky but he was just making a living. How was he to know she would stand accused (which, btw, doesn't make her guilty)?
41
How sad that a photographer whose goal is to help grieving families through a service that he himself used to find comfort in a time of need should be called names and ridiculed simply because he took a mother's grief at face value.
This child's story is tragic and the photographer is blameless; these are not mutually exclusive.
This child's story is tragic and the photographer is blameless; these are not mutually exclusive.
60
The dude is a photographer and not a social worker working for Child Protective Services.
Charged does not equal convicted.
Seriously, "ordinary care" would involve investigating the veracity of a grieving mother's tale?
Talk about idiocy!
Charged does not equal convicted.
Seriously, "ordinary care" would involve investigating the veracity of a grieving mother's tale?
Talk about idiocy!
17
Wow, it's interesting to know someone can actually make a living at truly terrible Photoshop work. But it seems even more stupid that anyone would "blame" him for anything other than his lack of talent.
25
He is meeting a demand. Some people find comfort in ways that scene on appealing to you. Who are you to judge them?
11
While it may not be your cup of tea, nor mine, chrismosca, it obviously is for many people or this service wouldn't exist. I also find the 'reborn' dolls themselves to be creepy in appearance, but I'm not about to question the grieving mothers who have lost babies who seem to comprise the larger portion of the customer base for them.
People grieve differently, everyone in their own way. Sometimes things like this prove to be therapeutic, other times not. But people whose only response consists of looking askance are missing the bigger picture (pun not intended.)
People grieve differently, everyone in their own way. Sometimes things like this prove to be therapeutic, other times not. But people whose only response consists of looking askance are missing the bigger picture (pun not intended.)
1
Mr Jo obviously needs to do a full criminal investigation on every one of his clients. WHAT WAS HE THINKING? Welcome to the internet 2016.
53
Not even a very good job of retouching. The figure is tilted slightly to the left, something you can avoid by considering center of gravity and placement within the gridline of the foreground.
Still a macabre/treacly concept tho. Where is National Lampoon when we need it?
Still a macabre/treacly concept tho. Where is National Lampoon when we need it?
7
The figure's "tilt" makes it look like she's leaning in towards the mother, which to make indicates that it's intentional.
5
Why on earth should Mr Jo be the target of anything at all? He, too, is a victim.
142
Okay, we have an innocent photographer here. Innocent whether you like his work or not.
We have a narcissistic mother who, hopefully, will have no more children.
And, we already have reader Janice, someone generalizing about people in the military commenting here. Really? This one person tars the entire military? I suppose then that there is not an institution or occupation in this country that is not similarly mortally tainted in her eyes.
We have a narcissistic mother who, hopefully, will have no more children.
And, we already have reader Janice, someone generalizing about people in the military commenting here. Really? This one person tars the entire military? I suppose then that there is not an institution or occupation in this country that is not similarly mortally tainted in her eyes.
42
Ms. Ditty and Mr. Keefer are appalling creature, but the attacks on Mr. Jo simply defy reason.
66
It always amuses me how a mob mentality will go after even the most innocent of people through social media. This case is another great example of bored people looking for something to fuss about. I'm sure the threats were malicious as ever, since people don't hesitate to shoot their mouths off from behind their keyboards. Poor guy.
91
Tragic. It appears the paternal grandmother gave birth to her own son when she was 14-- is that the math?
5
No, the age of the child's father isn't mentioned. The 32-year-old is the boyfriend, not the father.
11
The article does not give the age of Tina Goodwin’s son Kevin, the child’s biological father. I believe you’ve confused him with Jeanie Ditty’s boyfriend (and co-defendant) Zachary E. Keefer (age 32). Now let me ask, what is your point in the first place?
16
GM: Perhaps the erroneous thought that the real father may have been posing as the boyfriend and that, in that case, perhaps "J" is implying that perhaps 14 is a bit young to have wisely borne a child. This is all so confusing. And the picture is so indistinct and the photoshopping is so obviously mishandled that how can we be absolutely sure that the picture is really of the daughter? Perhaps only the boyfriend cum father is the only thing real in the story after all. But thank you NYT for bringing all this to our attention, it is the hallmark of a great paper. All the news thats fit to print.
How tacky and inappropriate the whole thing is...dead relatives hovering over one in a photograph? That's simply my own taste though. Can't people simply grieve, miss, and think about the joy of a relative who has passed? Why must it be turned it into a carnival photograph? But, this is really something, I suppose she'll use it at her defense trial, as an example of a loving mother. And...she'll have an army of defenders simply because...she's a mom. A father would already be in prison for life.The photographer should be left alone. He has nothing to do with this. It's not his fault. Blame the crazy murderous mother, or let me guess, she was abused, she had a hard life, she had a drug problem, her husband left her...here we go...she was wonderful.
12
There are so many disturbing things about this story but you dwell on your dislike of how people remember their loved ones?
The internet is a crazy place.
The internet is a crazy place.
43
I'm sure that this photographer gets plenty of flack for portraying dead people among the living. Its been done wince Victorian times, tho. Of course my attention focused on the fact that both the parents were in the U.S. military. Sure puts a twist on the quality of people our armed forces attract.
2
@Janice Kerr
The father isn't accused of anything.
People who serve in the armed forces should be revered because they're doing a necessary, usually underpaid and largely thankless job (as evident by your comment).
The father isn't accused of anything.
People who serve in the armed forces should be revered because they're doing a necessary, usually underpaid and largely thankless job (as evident by your comment).
7
Ms Ditty may be charged with murder but Mr Jo is guilty of felonious bad taste.
10
I suppose this might be the right time for puns. Oh wait, no it isn't.
14
Check out the meaning of the word pun. A pun is a form of word play that suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect.
The fact that this photographer is exploiting maudlin kitsch has nothing to do with this tragedy save for the fact that this is exactly the sort of "art" a sociopathic child murderer would choose to attempt to obviate her guilt.
The fact that this photographer is exploiting maudlin kitsch has nothing to do with this tragedy save for the fact that this is exactly the sort of "art" a sociopathic child murderer would choose to attempt to obviate her guilt.
3
Yeah, instead of making a living, Mr. Jo should just sit back and watch reality TV, listen to music by "musicians" who have no talent (but will show you their private parts for free), and contemplate how he too can get a "real" job, like selling pharmaceuticals to the majority population of the United States of Addicts or, perhaps, a cushy hourly wage job that provides enough income to maybe pay the monthly cell phone bill.
Everybody's a critic, I suppose...
Everybody's a critic, I suppose...
5
I feel sorry for this photographer, who had no idea in advance what the terrible and true situation was. And honestly why would he have any reason to suspect anything but the most innocent of intention? Sad story, I hope the "haters" retreat soon and stop their judgment mill as it is highly likely many of them would have been "taken" as well.
113
Judging from the handful of comments here, I doubt the haters will retreat anywhere.
14
Yep, seems piling on and reacting to false information on the internet means never having to say you're sorry since you're not directly effected. I'm not sure if social media has exposed or created this odd phenomenon.
Oh seriously - how was this poor man supposed to know this woman would be charged? Some folks just have to get a life.
106
I'm not sure what we can do to stop the craziness of social media when it comes to creating firestorms such as this? Why on earth is this photographer actually getting hate mail?? He did absolutely nothing wrong.
What concerns me however is the swiftness with which social media can make or break a person, deserved or not. It turns into a free-for-all...a frenzy if you will. A story takes on a life of its own, and within hours a person can either be Youtube's latest sensation receiving offers to appear on Ellen, Oprah etc., or else the opposite occurs, with news anchors, politicians, etc. having to submit their resignations. It's really become insane, and in the instance of the latter, we have to begin to say 'No'.....that we are not going to allow social media and political correctness to dictate to us. A person should not lose their job, be fired, etc., for the sole or even primary reason that they were skewered on social media.
What concerns me however is the swiftness with which social media can make or break a person, deserved or not. It turns into a free-for-all...a frenzy if you will. A story takes on a life of its own, and within hours a person can either be Youtube's latest sensation receiving offers to appear on Ellen, Oprah etc., or else the opposite occurs, with news anchors, politicians, etc. having to submit their resignations. It's really become insane, and in the instance of the latter, we have to begin to say 'No'.....that we are not going to allow social media and political correctness to dictate to us. A person should not lose their job, be fired, etc., for the sole or even primary reason that they were skewered on social media.
29
@Avina,
What does political correctness have to do with it?
What does political correctness have to do with it?
28
The photos aren't to my liking, but that's just me. The photographer had nothing to do with the poor child's death. People on social media should just lay off him.
88
It's not just you.
“I’ve gotten a lot of hate because of this,” he said. “The amount of backlash is just terrible.” How, in the name of all that is holy, is this photographer to blame for the alleged actions of this mother? I understand full well that there is a dead child, I understand that. But, sensible people should be able to separate the actions of the mother and the actions of this photographer, no?
170
It's that qualifier "sensible" that appears to be the problem.
34
Because internet.
1
My Dad, a photographer, & I had to do the samething many years ago. A man had died that had several siblings. They never had a group picture and wanted us to take a picture of them and insert their brother.
But the brother didn't have any pictures of himself, so we had to take a head shot of him in the casket.
Quite an interesting process back then.