Tuesday, 08 May 2012
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What Do You Think? Real or Fake?
Professional photographer Lynsey Stone recently won the 2011 National Geographic photo contest grand prize ( 10,000 bucks!) with this photo of her delivering her baby into her husband's hands. The photo was entitled "I Love You Baby," which Ms. Stone said she was yelling at the time the photo was snapped.
Personally, I doubt that. Her expression in the photo suggests that she was actually yelling "THIS ******ING HURTS!!!!" but I digress.
Anyway there's been a great deal of controversy over this photo because many people do not believe that this was a genuine childbirth being snapped. When the photo was posted on a popular blog for new mothers most of the commentators believed that the photo was "staged." The setting seemed too polished. Ms. Stone's physique seemed too trim for a woman in late pregnancy. Her hair was too clean and shiny. The pose too camera-perfect. Many commentators asked: is the photo a fake? Is this really a childbirth?
I personally think the scene is real. Oh sure Ms. Stone, like any good photographer, arranged the shot as well as possible considering the circumstances. The pose isn't perfect. The top of her head is chopped off. Also the distension of her veins and her expression of genuine pain, strain and effort as she pushes out her child looks real.
Still, I can understand people being suspicious. The shadow modestly hiding her genitals seems a bit too well-placed. There has clearly been some touch-up work as is seen by the tastefully blurred background and the well-defined foreground figures. There is precious little sign of stretchmarks or pregnancy imperfections besides the bulging navel on Ms. Stone, but hey... some women are like that during pregnancy. Don't be hating.
Frankly it's easy to want to hate on Ms. Stone because even during the peak of agony she looks fantastic... and she's clearly a great photographer who has won a bunch of cash for just doing what she loves. I think this photo is real... but I'll admit that I'm not one hundred percent sure.
What do you think Momaroos? Is this photo real or fake?
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Comments (67)
The fact that she's in that position and able to give birth without something going wrong is what makes it suspicious to me. I wouldn't want to be on my knees while my cervix is contracting ~.~ If only this moment was being recorded simultaneously
You'd be surprised what good photographers do to get good shots. Personally I too think that this is real, people now a days can be quite creative. Of course it is a big DUH that the picture has been edited because she's obviously not going to show her genitals to the world. And you said it yourself, the picture technically isn't perfect, therefore it makes it look more real.
Again...yeah I think it's real.
That does look like a painful position to be in to be giving birth, but hey, i'm sure it's painful in any position so... She could have had the camera set up to take a snap shot every half second for the entire birth and this may have been just the magical one shot that she loved. If it's fake, it is still a beautiful picture. If it's not, then i applaud her for sharing such a moment with the world.
Actually, the position that she's in is how humans are supposed to be in when they're giving birth. Biological, it makes more sense to give birth in that position, but we've somehow adapted/evolved into giving birth lying down. There's an interesting article on how we are giving birth in the wrong position :D
I agree with the
first commenter the postition seems weird to me. I wonder how there is
enough space for the baby. Maybe she stood before and sunk to her
knees, when the baby was out? If it's real it's really good.
anyway...congrats.
I'm going to say real, but touched up. A blur there, a darkening there. It makes sense with photography.
@luv_is_infinite@datingish - i agree with you on the birthing position.. my best friend's wife gave birth to their son, and then later their twins on her knees in a birthing pool.
You can tell she is doing some serious hollering by the veins in her neck... I think its a real photo.
LOVE this picture!
The blurred background doesn't necessarily have anything to do with editing. Just saying...as a photographer...don't take my word for it. Read here: http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-get-shallow-depth-of-field-in-your-digital-photos and http://www.diyphotography.net/depth_of_field
@yourkbear@xanga - That's what I was going to say.
@At_Sixes_And_Sevens@xanga - Hahah... LOL. I was kinda thinking that too.
Touched up, yes. Fake, no.
@luv_is_infinite@datingish - It's not even that we've adapted or evolved. It's just easier for doctors for us to be on our backs, even if it's not a good position to actually give birth in. I had a much easier time moving around and in a position similar to this.
I vote real. And applaud the position. I tried so hard to get in another position when I had my son, but just couldn't get there (labor was only 45 min for me, heavy, hard, and when I tried a different position my calves cramped). The upright position is better.
She looks in good shape and she is taking it like a real woman!!! haha. Nothing wrong with home birth photography and making sure you look decent for that split second shot! I think it is real. Gives me an idea of how to give birth next. Forget laying down... but I wonder if that would make some moms bleed out more?
@d639@xanga - I don't think you're supposed to stay that way after you give birth. But during the actual descending and crowning and birthing, gravity helps and the pelvic position is more opened.
I really don't think it could make you bleed out more regardless - but I didn't see all that when I had my babies. Soooo.
You know what position I really wanted to be in, but couldn't get there? On my knees leaning forward on something. That's pretty hard on a hospital bed though.
I just noticed - that baby is sunny side up, too! I know that was hard! I wonder if she tore. Her hand is in an interesting position, I wonder if she was tearing forward rather than backward.
Ok, off question - I'm sorry if this is inappropriate, but this is Momaroo and it's a question about birthing and I'm not being silly, I really wonder.
Can you tear forward and up, like toward your urethral opening or clitoris? Could you tear those parts during childbirth? Curiosity has struck...
Birthing is actually easier when squatting or on your knees. Lack of stretch marks doesn't really indicate it's fake, I didn't have a single one from my first baby but my second one left plenty. LOL And my body was still pretty toned with my first child, I just had a belly to go with my firm muscles. You'd never guess that now, though. ha ha.
Anyway, I'd say it's probably real but even if it's not, it's still an awesome picture.
@MHYLMF@xanga - By time you give birth, your cervix is no longer contracting. Flat on your back is actually the worse way to give birth for the woman.
I vote real.
Real. Check out her site. its what she does for a living.
http://www.dfwbirthphotographer.com/home/
that doesnt look real at all, looks disturbing to me actually ..
@sarahsmurfette@xanga - Yes, it's unfortunately possible. My mom's friend just gave birth to her son about a month ago and she tore up. It was awfully painful to hear about, I can only imagine how it felt.
I live in the DFW area right now and have actually heard of this woman through photography circles. This photo looks real, and it kind of looks like it's on film. The shadow to cover her privates is called burning.
.
If you look at her second entry in the contest it makes this one even more believable.