THE KID
This photograph is the melding of strength and sorrow. Making clear the tension between youth and history in today’s modern age. My series Historical Fiction was about making images that go beyond me and beyond the photograph, images that make a statement. Six years ago I took an image entitled “Lynching” of a black man hanging a kkk member. At the time I had no idea how impactful the image would be. Six years later we seem to be in the very same place with a new generation of eyes watching and longing for change. “The kid” was shot in the exact same location as the “Lynching” photograph. Both capturing the same feel though taken years apart they seemingly go together as a diptyque separated only by time. This is an important piece to me as we are called to reconnect to our humanity we must all connect to our innocence and find the kid inside of ourselves. Revisiting this world in our current times was painful and beautiful all at once just like the photograph. “The kid” was beautifully played by Malik and I want to thank him and his family for trusting in my image and exhibiting such strength and vulnerability. What does this image represent to you?
www.tylershields.com
A huge thank you to Mike Gray check out his video here
Comments
21 responses to “A PHOTO 6 YEARS IN THE MAKING "THE KID"”
Love this and want to order a print of this for my office. The dialogue it will create with my students will be wonderful.
It's VERY GENERIC IN BOTH APPROACH AND AND TOpic. Try exploring the history of black communists
Lame. U should have done a photo of a black Communist
Holy crap! I totally forgot abt this photographer.
Inherently I was floored when someone gave me TWO FRAMED prints, I don't know the name of them but one is of a girl in an oven w/ red shoes on & the other is a girl in red shoes & written on the floor is "Life is not a fairytale" I didn't know of said photographer & just came across a picture I love & have to get . Not knowing I have two of his prints already!!
Edit..The print I want is of a naked black man hanging a man in a KKK white robe.
I love the father's words of praise to his son acknowledging that he achieves stuff everyday at the 0:58 mark. Great video, powerful shot, thank you for sharing your work Tyler
He said he done it in 2 shots, but it's whole roll
I understand the context, yet as a white male photographer, what was the reason for making this image?
A powerful image for sure. What I struggle with is the real lack of discussing why this photograph is important. We can see the implied message in it, but in both this and the video of "Lynching" there is a real absence of anything being talked about beyond the technical aspects and a lot about you. I'm not here to try and make you feel bad, but it really is glaring. Take care.
Such a great piece of work
Love the little man getting out in the cold water and holding that disgusting hood. Bravo little man 👍🏻
This photograph is bold, poignant, impactful, necessary, and timely. Great job, Tyler.
Hack.
Your work inspires me to go create art. I mean, honestly, your images are a love letter to photography. Thank you for expressing your talent for the rest of us to enjoy.
didn't liked the post process in darkroom. you should add up some vignette effect to make more artistic soft melody
Watched the countdown with a lot of exitement. This may just be one of your best photos in my opinion…
Wow.
Just….wow. Amazing.
This photo gives me chills just like 'Lynching' did. To me, it represents the continued struggle that BIPOC face generation after generation. Malik exudes a strength that is often overlooked in children. Thank you for taking risks in your work Tyler.
Let go!!!
Beautiful Work
🖤👏🏻
Thank you for sharing this. Powerful image.