An introduction text telling this and that about the content.
Some time ago the decision was made not to have some big shot write a text to use as a preface for the photo book of the project “The most beautiful people in the world”.
To ask a world famous person to write a preface is usual a method to plant a well-known flag on a slow moving boat.
The book by itself will not get maximum attention so additional publicity and interest is tried to be obtained by involving a celebrity.
It is like jumping into the trunk of someone else’s car to get somewhere.
There is this unshakable belief that the message and the content of the project “The most beautiful people in the world” is strong and pure.
That it does not need someone else.
Besides the fact that giving another person the podium of the preface would distract the audience from the images, text and the message.
So, the idea now is that the photographer himself writes an introduction to the project “The most beautiful people in the world”.
He gets 500 words to say his thing.
But what is he supposed to say?
Why he did this project?
How he performed the project?
Must it be a very personal text?
Or more business like?
For the moment there is no clue.
Helpless and slightly desperate, shy and insecure, intimidated and hesitant the waiting is for this brilliant idea what and how to write.
Another fascinating aspect in making the photo book of the project “The most beautiful people in the world” with the designer Teun van der Heijden is that he has the exclusive authority to select the persons that will be published in the book.
This is on purpose.
In a photo book only very strong pictures should be published.
All other reasons are no good reasons.
This implies that the one selecting must be 100 % objective.
Obviously the photographer who met all those most beautiful people is very subjective.
There are participants in the project who became friends.
There are participants who were found very attractive, charming and seducing.
But also persons who were not very sympathetic.
The designer Teun van der Heijden selected the 80 persons to be published in the book and his choice is perfect.
Totally acceptable and no problem to respect and appreciate.
But nevertheless..
A slight pain is felt because the karate champion of Poland, the extraordinarily beautiful, charming and wonderful Monika from Gdansk was not selected.
And what about Shipra from Mumbai?
This stunning, multitalented and exciting woman also left out?
But it is a good thing that these idiotic and too private considerations are neutralized by the designer having the only authority.
One of the next postings will present to all the fervent and loyal blog readers the cover of the photo book of the project “The most beautiful people in the world”.
It is a very unusual cover.
As is the whole project.
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To see all results from the project "The most beautiful people in the world", click on:
http://www.themostbeautifulpeople.org
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1 comment:
yes, you are on the right track. people use 'celebrity' endorsements for a product they are unsure of. if the product is good, everyone will get it. if the product is crap, no 'celebrity' can save it. a case in point is my book -- Karma Sutra Essays From The Margin. no paid publicity at all and yet the book is sold out. the best book shop in bombay is continuously ordering copies!!
i also like the idea of a neutral person choosing the pics and designing the book. we are human and our likes and dislikes come in. your pesonal judgements and decisions can be horribly wrong. i also felt that the earlier book design was drap and like a school text book. whats the point of travelling the world and taking pics if they are not going to be fleshed out and dramatic? imagine india, china and south america in dull layouts!!!
whenever i finish my writing, i send them only to my 'enemies' for comments. i need the criticism and not the praise.
good luck.
rajendar menen from bombay, india.
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