A portrait, whether in paint or photograph, does not reveal the character or qualities of the sitter/subject , it reveals the views and opinions the artist holds, or would like to communicate about the subject.
In the book of Ezekiel, Satan is referred to as "perfect in beauty." Nice pictures don't change the evil views underneath.
1
Where's the photo he took that day??? I was hoping to see it at end of article!
It's just another manifestation of the First Amendment, applied. If there can be fake news because there's just too much bandwidth to fill with real news, then there can certainly be fake photography to accompany it. My argument with alt-right neither begins nor ends with its photogenicity. Like their heroes (Joe McCarthy?) they are most often faking their beliefs and therefore predictably faking its evidence and illustration.
Pretty basic B&W portraits. Nothing even vaguely special about them. Maybe the photographer thinks that Black and White makes them somehow profound. He's obviously proud that he got Mike Cernovich to show off his chest hair. Yawn.
1
From this small sample, I would say Duke's subjects come across as quite full of themselves. Would I have the same impression of portraits taken on the other side of the political spectrum? I don't know. I suspect that what would come across would be a personality dedicated to service to the public. But what are the visual clues, specifically, and are they in the sitter or the photographer? It's a challenging question.
I'm not sure I see the controversy here. Sure, I disapprove of Mr. Duke's efforts to portray these hateful people in a favorable light, as most commenters here do. Nevertheless, shouldn't we know by now that a person's physical appearance is not a reliable indicator of his or her moral character?
One other point: the author makes a serious error in referring to "the PizzaGate myth": the story was not a myth, but a fraud and a hoax.
One other point: the author makes a serious error in referring to "the PizzaGate myth": the story was not a myth, but a fraud and a hoax.
11
Peter is a good man and great photographer. And the people he portrays in a positive light are good people.
I have to say that reading this comment stream has been highly entertaining. Scholars in the future may use this as a fantastic example of Godwin's Law. It may be the first time that any photographer has ever been compared to Annie Leibovitz, Leni Riefenstahl, Diane Arbus and Arno Breker (the only man) at the same time! For what it's worth, I've never compared myself to any of them, but I wouldn't change one word of this piece for the pure entertainment value that it has provided in comments here and on the web for the past few days. Bravo NYTM, bravo!
2
I am unable to assess the degree of your talent or the merit of your work. It does seem to me, however, that you are something of a cultural remora. You resemble that humble fish in so many ways: niche, means of locomotion, and diet. It has a distinguishing anatomical characteristic, which gives rise to the fish's alternate name, which in turn evokes the position of so many true believers and would-be hucksters. Do not be surprised when your subjects no longer see you as useful and turn on you, like a remora shaken loose.
4
I think the headline writer was the only one seeing this work as related to Annie Liebowitz and that is apparently because they are portraits. Liebowitz is an artist and this is well done fashion photography with a stylist and wardrobe help: i.e.: Makeovers.
5
I read Peter Duke's comment twice before realizing that he is "Peter Duke," the photographer here. The defensive tone is quite transparent. He proclaims, a little too stridently, that he is amused. He says he's never compared his work to that of other photographers, but that's not the job of an artist. That's the critic's job, and an artist must expect critique when the work is sent out into the world. Artists who claim to find criticism hilarious lack the maturity to process it.
The devil can fake some talent and some minor art. Who knew? Even Clint Eastwood has talent as an artist, acquired over a life time. Still he is a monster.
8
A visit to Mr. Duke's portfolio website is instructive. One of "the figureheads of the political fringe " that he has managed to "cast in a more refined, almost majestic light" is none other than George Zimmerman, the man who shot and killed Trayvon Martin. Say no more...
33
@MatthewKassel - so where is the photo of you? Let us judge whether it looks the way you describe it?
6
Truly insulting to Annie Leibovitz.
29
I am a radical, leftist activist who has helped organize protests against Trump and a photojournalist of some note in NYC, who the NY Post once called NYC's cuddliest Anarchist. I have a photo archive in Tamiment Library at NYU. I must say that this Duke photographer is clearly on the other side in the political and culture war that is growing hotter by the day in America. Would I say he and I are like [since he liked Reagan] the Contras and the Sandinistas ? Yes , I would and I was in Nicaragua photographing and supporting the Sandinistas during the war there. My photos of some associates of the Alt-Right, not the Alt-Light , the NC KKK who recently held a rally in Charlottesville Va. were just published in NYC in The Villager and I am happy to say the Klan was pretty much run out of town by counterprotesters, some of whom I knew from NYC and DC. Someone who shares his name, David Duke, has endorsed an upcoming Alt-Right rally in Charlottesville, Va. on Aug. 12. I plan to return to photograph that one as well and people are telling me , because they saw my photos, they are going to go and protest the extreme Alt-Right , like Richard Spencer, and many are Vietnam Era Vets like me. So bring it on with your photos Mr. Duke and I will do the same and let's see who wins this conflict for America's hearts and minds.
15
hear, hear
3
An interesting article. But comparing this photographer to Annie Leibovitz is ridiculous, not to say disrespectful to Annie. A more apt analogy would be to the photographer at your local DMV office, or a photo booth.
16
More apt would be Leni Riefenstahl.
Thank you, Mr. Kassel, for the fascinating story. Do you have a link to more photos by Duke and, maybe, a description why they were taken that way. I agree that photos determine much of our impression without understanding or even reading an article.
As a political opponent, I feel myself split, however, if I should prefer a rational debate, which the alt-right could skew by tricks, or rather the defeat of the alt-right, by whatever means possible, and if it is the disheveled photo of Bannon. What would be better for the nation in the long-run?
As a political opponent, I feel myself split, however, if I should prefer a rational debate, which the alt-right could skew by tricks, or rather the defeat of the alt-right, by whatever means possible, and if it is the disheveled photo of Bannon. What would be better for the nation in the long-run?
Destroying Obama's evil legacy is what's best for the nation.
When is he having a show displaying Trump and at his Mussolini-best?
11
I really don't care how Duke's subjects look. It's their ideas that I abhor. Duke's project is the equivalent of shooting propaganda photos for Hitler.
19
You have it backwards.
I have been a successful portrait photographer and photojournalist for a few decades now and I have met a lot of great portrait shooters I have looked up to for more than 45 years. Unfortunately Mr. Duke (reminds me of the chararcter of the same name in Doonesbury) has some reasonable talent but, believe me, he is no Leibovitz. He is a journeyman photographer but his talent is limited to that of art school yearbook photographer. There is just nothing interesting in his talent. If his subjects were normal, everyday people, without an agenda for ultra-nationalist ambition, no one would really pay much attention to his bland approach to the art form.
Hitler had his team of photographers and filmmakers shooting great shots of the most evil men on the planet at the time. Duke's portraits of the barely-human culture tearing at the fabric of our fragile experiment in democracy tells us all that he is a tool — a fool — for enemies of democracy.
Hitler had his team of photographers and filmmakers shooting great shots of the most evil men on the planet at the time. Duke's portraits of the barely-human culture tearing at the fabric of our fragile experiment in democracy tells us all that he is a tool — a fool — for enemies of democracy.
25
I'm not sure whose idea it was to use Annie Leibovitz as a comparison, but it this guy is not even in the same league. While his technique is good, it is derivitive of so many photographers today that it wouldn't stand out if not for the subject matter. The work certainly doesn't merit an article in the NYTimes. I know stellar photographers on the right of the political spectrum whose work is so much better, but they don't get attention because they use their subjects as fodder for the limelight. Kassel has much better work as well.
5
What an insult to Annie Liebowitz.
11
So what, he owns a camera and promotes Alt-Right Fascism though this particular mediium but he is no LENI RIEFENSTAHL !
4
Annie Leibovitz?? Arno Breker or Leni Riefenstahl would be much more apt as comparisons.
10
Breker was a shameless opportunist, as many of the great German and Austrian conductors, btw. Leni R was a believer.
1
No matter the color, it's still lipstick on pigs.
17
The soul of Leni Riefenstahl has entered a still phographer in the Palisades. Can't wait to see his take on a Trump rally. Do do think 30's Nurenberg can be edited into a green screen to create an "alternative " style rally? Stills with the Ken Burns effect? Put the cabinet into uniforms and staff into lederhosen???
5
Thank you. This comparison to Leibovitz makes me sick.He is Leni Riefenstahl, part two.
1
Please stop legitimizing this crowd with the use of the "alt right" term -- one they invented for themselves. Call them what they are, fanatics, reactionary extremists, supremacists, racists, whatever, but do not let them hide behind that limp, vague title they prefer, or their forgiving, dishonest protraits.
14
His photographs are terrible, they still don't look good. I'm afraid Duke has a big job before him. Better go back to the dark room.
7
Of course the Tilt-Left media don't portray Alt-Right political figures in a bad light. It's "just the facts."
1
The history of painting is replete with the 'imaging' of the good and the bad; the monarchs, prime ministers, revolutionaries, presidents, emperors, et all, often endowing god-like status. This is no different.
3
More like the Diane Arbus of the alt-right, based on the work itself.
1
I'm sure even Mussolini or Stalin would look sane in the right pose. Taking a good portrait is not the same as showing the real person. That's the difference between a Leibovitz and a duke.
45
There is no real person on a photo. Every photo is impression.
And some set out to create a false impression. My own subjective impression is that this is what Duke does.
It's not surprising to me that this guy lives in Los Angeles. I was unfortunate enough to live in LA for 8 years. That city is extremely conservative. LA is a very racist, homophobic, and white-male-centric city. Oddly, the conservatism of LA stems from Hollywood, an industry that hasn't moved past 1995.
13
" I was unfortunate enough to live in LA for 8 years. That city is extremely conservative." Lol. If that is your takeaway form L.A.'s politics, you must have spent every waking hour indoors with the blinds closed. If you're referring to Orange County, that's different. L.A., though, is bleeding heart central and probably right up your alley.
2
You lived in LA for 8 years, so you are a specialist who can condemn the whole city and make racial, gender-based pronouncements that we should consider insightful? I find this photographer and his subjects to be reprehensible, but I also find your statements to be reprehensible.
3
D Anthony, LA Country voting history would tell you that progressives and liberals are common in LA.
There is only one Republican Congressmember in LA County (Steve Knight who represents Palmdale, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita - a district that includes Ventura County) and most of the Los Angeles Country congressmembers are pretty darn progressive: for example, Karen Bass, Ted Lieu, Maxine Waters, Adam Schiff, and Jimmy Gomez.
There is only one Republican Congressmember in LA County (Steve Knight who represents Palmdale, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita - a district that includes Ventura County) and most of the Los Angeles Country congressmembers are pretty darn progressive: for example, Karen Bass, Ted Lieu, Maxine Waters, Adam Schiff, and Jimmy Gomez.
1
JB of Marin, I find this article interesting in furthering my understanding of how one part of our Society massages its message. For the same reason, I watch Fox News occasionally - I feel it is critical to understand my moral opponents and where they are "coming from."
6
I shoot a lot of motorsports photography.
And in my view, the most important thing to do with a camera is to display your subjects honestly.
Mr. Duke appears to have a different view on this.
And in my view, the most important thing to do with a camera is to display your subjects honestly.
Mr. Duke appears to have a different view on this.
18
I was aware of who the subjects of Duke's photos were by their exploits & desire for attention. They looked much as I had imagined they would.
I'm afraid no amount of photographic talent can disguise the anger & ugliness inside each of those men. It shows on their faces and the unease of their posture. As a result, they are quite unattractive & unappealing. Good work, Mr Duke, for revealing them.
I'm afraid no amount of photographic talent can disguise the anger & ugliness inside each of those men. It shows on their faces and the unease of their posture. As a result, they are quite unattractive & unappealing. Good work, Mr Duke, for revealing them.
40
They still look like creeps. A Mussolini by any other name.However, I do look forward to some warm fuzzy portraits of The Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard, as, the Ku Klux Klan are in fact the founding 'Christian fathers' of the modern alt-right movement.
24
You're right. I really don't feel the kindness in Charles Johnson's clenched teeth or almost snarling mouth or the humanity in his (probably wisely) concealed eyes or his focus on his phone as opposed to the spectator. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, I'd say the shades have been drawn to hide what lies within. If Duke's aim is to make these folks more relatable, I'd call his "art" a massive fail.
1
Duke does us all a service.
It is too easy to dismiss alt-right trolls because they "look dorky".
The problem is, they think dorky; their appearance is a distraction.
So although some people think it is more important to look marvelous than to be marvelous, I think these excellent photos can help us dodge the misdirection and deal with the actual issues, not the appearance.
Keep them coming.
It is too easy to dismiss alt-right trolls because they "look dorky".
The problem is, they think dorky; their appearance is a distraction.
So although some people think it is more important to look marvelous than to be marvelous, I think these excellent photos can help us dodge the misdirection and deal with the actual issues, not the appearance.
Keep them coming.
5
Television is America's temple and the ordained must be photogenic. My religion is a bit antiquated, I confess. Words, text - the mere voice of divinity.
4
American religion is television? Individualism is our philosophy. Anyone can become a movie star; anyone can be rich; anyone can be anything they want. No one is bound by family, culture or biological history. They few who don't achieve anything - they should get a life.
2
Should retire the "Lipstick on a Pig" award for his contributions to political iconography.
15
Why do people insist on using PC terms like "alt-right" and "nationalism" for these people and their "ideology?" There's nothing alternative about their about their beliefs and goals, which also have nothing to do with the well-being of our nation. Call them what they are, within the bounds of the FCC.
49
I want to see the Alt-Right equivalent of the John Lennon-Yoko Ono photo.
8
Judging by the photos in the article, I'd say that this photographer is no Annie Leibovitz. As an Art Director, I once worked with Leibovitz and she was (and still is) beyond compare.
23
These pictures look no better or worse than ones taken with a third generation iPhone. In any event, no degree of skill can never mask the ugliness and hatred of the people Mr. Duke photographs.
34
Don't underestimate your opponent. If you think you can see so deep into the photos, you're fooling yourself. Important is if the photos can convince right-wing people to continue to support the alt-right.
1
I'm so tired of these fascists getting attention. They are enemies of the state. This country is finished.
56
IF Trump's voter would all be enemies of the state, the country would be indeed finished, but I see hope still. Trump can't fool so many people three more years.
1
This is utterly ridiculous. First, this isn't a compartment for the "right" but rather one for the far right. And the far right seems to need its own space. Kind of a cooler for snowflakes that they they inhabit and reassure each other that, yes, it is OK to be mean to poor people or insult people who toil for a wage packet every week. "No Vanity Fair for the right?" None for the left either, sunshine. There's one Vanity Fair and its trade is celebrity. And I'm sorry but a handful of quickly taken headshots do not allow me to begin to decide where this photographer's skills are in relation to Annie Liebowitz.
25
NO, NO, NO.
We are not interested in profile pieces of Alt Right Fascists, even if they know how to properly light a photograph.
Hope you enjoyed your beer and pasta.
Find something useful to write about.
We are not interested in profile pieces of Alt Right Fascists, even if they know how to properly light a photograph.
Hope you enjoyed your beer and pasta.
Find something useful to write about.
44
Isn't the point of the news to inform and educate? if you don't want news you don't like are you not then just as self selecting as a Fox News viewer or a Brietbard reader? The world we live in is a terrible place with terrible people. That's the news.
2
I'm very interested in the best photos of my political opponents. How can you beat them, if you miss their appeal?
1
This is not exactly hard news. It's not "need to know" and certainly not "nice to know." I think we could all remain well-informed citizens without having read this article.
Very interesting topic; good on Kassel for pursuing it. Would be great if he'd made it less about his own prejudices and assumptions.
4
Somehow I'm recalling the old saying: History repeats itself, the first time as tragedy (Leni Riefenstahl); then, moving through Roger Ailes en route, to farce.
15
This guy's on to something when he says left leaning outlets use unflattering photos of right wing figures. Think of all the times we've been subjected to Trump's "O" face here on the pages of the Times.
1
No matter how they're photographed they still look creepy.
18
Mr. Kassel has some real holier-than-thou attitude seeping throughout this article. The last two paragraphs are so ridiculous I was laughing.
2
Hey Cap'n. The author is not being 'holier than thou'. He's making a moral judgment about someone who spends his time trying to make contempt look fashionable. And if you found this indirect form of criticism laughable, Fox News must asphyxiate you.
7
All outlets of mainstream media have their own slant. Especially now that politics on both sides has evolved from a team sport to religious zealotry. I implore anyone to be skeptical of all news articles at face value, especially if they fit your worldview. I find most news outlets these days (including NYT) have unfortunately evolved into explaining the news instead of reporting the news.