The two most expensive photographs ever sold!

These are the top 2 most expensive photographs ever sold. The first image is by Andreas Gursky of Germany. This image entitled '99 Cent II Diptychon' is THE most expensive photograph ever sold. It was first sold in 2006 and grossed $2.25 and $2.48 in 2 seperate auctions in New York City in that year. In 2007, the image was sold for the highest amount yet and the highest that a single photograph has ever sold for..... $3.34 million!!!

What are your thoughts on this image and the crazy price that it was sold for?

The second highest grossing image, is by Luxembourgish pictorialist photographer Edward Steichen in 1904 entitled, 'The Pond--Moonlight'. There are only 3 images of the negative that exist in the world. It was one of the first images to be printed in colour. It was sold for it's highest at US$2.9 million in February of 2006.

Personally, I am more drawn to the film imagey of Edward Steichen above, but I am more interested in raw film with all of it's flaws and beauty rather than the crisp, perfectly constructed 99 cent image. I am just curious, what you guys think of these 2 highest grossing images and the crazy amounts of money some rich art fanatics paid for them?!

Remember these??

"Role Models"


Back in 2008 before we all came together at SBIT, Miley Cyrus (15) posed naked wrapped inside a bedsheet for Vanity Fair magazine, photographed by none other than Ms Annie Leibovitz.

For detailed article: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3835597.ece

The photograph caused international outroar from parents of the crazed tween fans and widespread controversy amonst the industry.

A disney spokesperson described as "a situation [that] was created to deliberately manipulate a 15-year-old in order to sell magazines.

In response to the internet circulation of the photo and ensuing media attention, Cyrus released a statement of apology on April 27: “I took part in a photo shoot that was supposed to be ‘artistic’ and now, seeing the photographs and reading the story, I feel so embarrassed. I never intended for any of this to happen and I apologize to my fans who I care so deeply about."

Leibovitz also released a statement saying: "I'm sorry that my portrait of Miley has been misinterpreted," Leibovitz said. "The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful."

Miley also posed with her dad Billy-Ray Cyrus in what was descibed as some creepy-too-close positions. Clearly her father didn't foresee a problem with the images.......

Young Harry??

A year earlier 2007, Daniel Radcliffe starred in a revival of the play Equus. The relatively unknown production attracted a lot of press attention, in particular the casting of seventeen year-old Radcliffe caused some controversy, since the role of Alan Strang required him to appear naked on stage.

This was despite the fact that many other young actors over the years had performed the play naked, he got absolutely slammed by the media for his outragous behaviour.

Radcliffe insisted that the nude scene was not "gratuitous" and that he should portray the character and the scene as called for by the script. Peter Firth gave more than 1,000 performances as Alan Strang from 1973 onwards also 17 years old at the time (as the character was written). However only when promotional images surfaced of Daniel Radcliffe as he would appear in the play, was it to become controversial.

An interesting opinion:

http://homeboynet.wordpress.com/2007/02/01/daniel-radcliffe-vs-harry-potter-vs-controversy/

What do you think about Miley & Harry's photographs?

Are these images offensive?

Are these stars too young for these kinds of scenes?

Is it unfair that there is limitations placed on them because they were labelled as role models?

Did these young actors know what they were doing? And the affect they would cause?

Or are they living in a fantasy world where there is no wrong and right?

Is the industry taking advantage of them?

Should we just take it for what it is or should these celebrities take some responsibility?

So many questions...................

mummies dead

QUESTION: how far is too far when using children in any form of media?


Assumably the parents of these children are aware of the images being created and are required to sign some sort of waiver.  But I have to wonder how much is photoshoped in at a later point and how much the children are exposed to at the time of the shoot.  This also reminds me of instances such is often seen in the commercial world and popular television programmes such as the CSI series when children are used to portray 'victims' how do you teach a child that acting like your mummy died is not the same as it actually occuring?

All these images are from Joshua Hoffine, born in Kansas graduated with a degree in English Literature.  His photographic career began when he started taking pics for Hallmark cards and ran his own wedding photography business.  Seems a small leap to where he is now.


more images posted on his blog HERE

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