# Attention whore or social commentator (Obese photographer)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 13, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251 "2013-05-13T18:25:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/121 "2013-05-15T20:31:10Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Yeah, low resolution websites for photographers piss me right off. I mean, I understand (though I don’t do it myself) rezzing down to protect against somebody stealing and printing your photos, but these are really at shit resolution for a photographer’s portfolio. I down-rez, but not THAT small. You can make it big enough to be clear on a screen while still keeping it small enough that it would be useless to print. I usually go for around 850-900px on the long side, which is around the full-height of a maximized browser on most computer screens. You get reasonable detail, without “giving your work away.” > [@pulykamell](#): > > I just don’t like her execution. Yep. It’s pretty clear from the discussion that most people aren’t seeing what she’s trying to show, which is a failure of her goal. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/122 "2013-05-15T21:00:33Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > 😕 Why? The pic was taken in Spain. If that girl was making an “oh my god what a fat woman” gesture, she’d be holding her hand higher up as if starting to draw a belly’s curve, rather than slapping her lower belly. My skepticism of the belly slapping story _was_ founded mainly on the doubt that there are actually people who go around slapping their bellies expressly to make fun of fatties. Why? Because I have never heard of that here and if it were true, it would be both comically and also incredibly shitty of those people. Now you tell me that yes, apparently belly-slapping to make fun of fatties is _totally_ a thing that people in Spain do! _All_ the time! Any lingering doubts I had that this lady’s story is both true and does probably represent someone trying to make fun of her for being a fatty have now gone away forever. Lost… _como lágrimas bajo la lluvia_. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/123 "2013-05-15T21:29:25Z")
I believe you misread Nava. The gesture is not made “all the time,” but if a Spaniard were inclined to indicate a person is exceptionally fat, they are most likely to use that “patting on the upper abdomen” gesture. Much as an American would puff out his cheeks and make a wide, round motion with both hands around his middle to indicate “fat.” ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/124 "2013-05-15T21:37:39Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > The pic was taken in Spain. If that girl was making an “oh my god what a fat woman” gesture, she’d be holding her hand higher up as if starting to draw a belly’s curve, rather than slapping her lower belly. > [@colander](#): > > Now you tell me that yes, apparently belly-slapping to make fun of fatties is _totally_ a thing that people in Spain do! She told you no such thing. Starting to draw a belly’s curve, and NOT slapping the belly, as **Nava** described, is hardly belly-slapping. Methinks an improvement in reading comprehension is called for. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/125 "2013-05-15T22:36:09Z")
It’s not a worthwhile project. I’m fat\*. People don’t react with disgust when they see me. It has literally never happened. It’s happened when I’ve flirted with someone, but never just walking around. Anyone who thinks this happens on a regular basis is projecting their own body image. And that’s the only way the project would be worthwhile, as a psychological experiment. She can see that most people will not think these people are looking at her with disgust, and perhaps change her mental map so she doesn’t feel bad about herself. I mean, honestly, I thought she was kinda cute for a big girl. She had a bit of a baby-face going on. \*My height (I am **BigT** after all) and how I wear my weight makes me look less fat, but I’m still obviously fat. And try and think about what it means that people actually see me before making some dumb insulting joke. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/126 "2013-05-15T22:57:10Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > I down-rez, but not THAT small. I should amend. I do down-rez for website viewing for bandwidth reasons and because there’s no point in posting a 12 or 36MP image for web-viewing, but it’s still 1600x1200 for me. I just meant that I don’t rez down to extra small levels to protect against copyright violations. In other words, it sounds like I do what you do. It’s not super common, but I do see photographers who have images that are like five or six hundred pixels across on their long side. I don’t get the point of that. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/127 "2013-05-15T23:42:09Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > It’s not a worthwhile project. I’m fat\*. People don’t react with disgust when they see me. It has literally never happened. It’s happened when I’ve flirted with someone, but never just walking around. Anyone who thinks this happens on a regular basis is projecting their own body image. …or maybe, as _every study ever done_ has concluded, fat women get considerably more shit for being fat then fat men do. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/128 "2013-05-16T00:05:42Z")
> [@colander](#): > > …or maybe, as _every study ever done_ has concluded, fat women get considerably more shit for being fat then fat men do. There is a difference between knowing that overweight women “get . . . more shit for being fat” and believing that this woman has \*not \*made her point with her photo essay. ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/129 "2013-05-16T00:19:32Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > There is a difference between knowing that overweight women “get . . . more shit for being fat” and believing that this woman has \*not \*made her point with her photo essay. Many people have chimed in expressing their thoughts that that disapproval from passers-by is all in this woman’s head. At least two of those people have attempted to support this statement by offering up the fact that they, as fat men, have never noticed any particular opprobrium directed towards them. I therefore propose to you that the idea that women get more shit for being fat than men do is in fact apparently something that at least some people do not realize. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/130 "2013-05-16T00:48:00Z")
> [@babygoat666](#): > > This woman is an asshole. Who stands still in the middle of a busy crosswalk with a camera on her and accuses people who look in her direction of fat-shaming? The only thing she needs to be ashamed of is her shitty behavior. This. She is intentionally impeding traffic in a busy pedestrian area. I think those looks of loathing have nothing to do with her being fat and everything to do with her apparent lack of getting the fuck out of the way. I give those same looks to people who stand in the middle, blocking entire aisles with their grocery carts, so they can talk on the phone while they pick at their nails. No matter what they look like. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/131 "2013-05-16T02:39:49Z")
The picture where she’s standing in the middle of the sidewalk with the unfurled map is a good example. The lady that’s scowling at her (who isn’t exactly skinny herself) looks like a typical NYer, wishing the annoying tourist would get the fuck out of the way. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/132 "2013-05-16T10:13:13Z")
> [@colander](#): > > Many people have chimed in expressing their thoughts that that disapproval from passers-by is all in this woman’s head. At least two of those people have attempted to support this statement by offering up the fact that they, as fat men, have never noticed any particular opprobrium directed towards them. I therefore propose to you that the idea that women get more shit for being fat than men do is in fact apparently something that at least some people do not realize. Checked with my Wife (who had been heavy [size 22-24] until the cancer treatments a couple of years back). Nope, never a comment from anyone. She is also a jolly type. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/133 "2013-05-16T11:35:04Z")
Like I said before, only small children have ever commented on my weight and that was a very few, and they think anyone bigger than Barbie is “fat” Also, I get/got hit on by men more than disapproving stares from strangers. I get much more attention, both negative and positive, when I am pregnant than just being my regular chubby self. The worst reactions about my weight I have ever gotten were from my immediate family. My dad called me a “fat bitch” which I was 12, constantly asked about my weight, eating, and exercise habits until I was in my mid 20s and I told him to knock it off or I wouldn’t waste my time talking to him. My mom has made back handed remarks about my clothing and the fit of them. Family can be much more cruel than strangers. I wonder if the photographer in question has some underlying familial issues she needs to deal with before she starts blaming strangers for judging her, who could honestly care less. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/134 "2013-05-16T17:53:40Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > First of all, huh? But I think I get what you’re saying, that the police officers wouldn’t jump in her picture without asking first. They probably thought they were making the picture better by being funny. > > That said, she definitely gives off a “handicapped adult” vibe and her experiment falls flat on its face because of it. When you’re trying to gauge a reaction to one part of yourself, you don’t go out and purposely play up another part of your appearance that would actually _ **cause** _ people to stare. Like an “honorary member of the force” type of gesture. Around here, it would be nothing for a sheriff to put his hat on a handicapped kid. The woman also happens to look a lot like a handicapped woman that I know who is early 20s and she would get a big kick out of the cop’s hat and would want a photo with it on. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/135 "2013-05-16T18:07:45Z")
> [@colander](#): > > I therefore propose to you that the idea that women get more shit for being fat than men do is in fact apparently something that at least some people do not realize. I think this is true, but I don’t think it has much to do with her photo essay. I propose that these things are bigger factors in the reactions captured in the few photographs that she selected to use in her photo essay: (a) Her dress is dramatically different than the environment and pretty much screams “tourist who dresses from second hand store and may be color blind” (b) She carries herself in a way similar to a physically or mentally handicapped person. (e.g. severely rounded shoulders, hips forward, toes/knees pointed inward). (c) Her hair is markedly unkempt and wild looking and may add up with the rest to make her appear homeless (who happens to also have a camera?) And the biggest factor of ALL: (d) She is in the flow of pedestrian traffic with a camera set up. This causes those “I’m sorry, I need to get through / get by” situations where people look at the person and do smile as a form of apology. If (a) - (c) were true, but she were walking with the flow of traffic… I doubt many people would give her much more than a passing glance. But, when you set up a camera on a street, ANY STREET, and then stand there – you are going to have people looking for what the big deal is. ETA: In the article, she says that she is a teacher at a college. IF I’d ever walked into class with a teacher wearing undersized stretch pants and shirt, looking and standing like her. I would have a hard time taking her seriously as an educator. (And I would have a hard time paying tuition to a university that would let a teacher teach wearing such clothing). So, maybe the point is that people give mean looks to the poor, because she comes off more as a poor person. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/136 "2013-05-16T18:15:23Z")
I looked at the cop picture several times. It seems at least as likely to me that they were making fun of the clueless person standing in the middle of traffic talking on her cell (or whatever she was doing) as they were making fun of the fat chick. People should be able to go out in public without being mocked. Staring is rude - my sainted mother taught me that. And obese people get a lot of shit that they don’t deserve, especially if they are women. But I wonder if the photographer did a little more to trigger the reactions she photographed than simply appearing in public dressed semi-sloppily and being obese. I expect she wanted to trigger sympathy as well as discussion. I think she got more of the latter than the former, at least on the SDMB. Maybe she should drop trou and put on a Pope hat. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/137 "2013-05-16T18:43:37Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > I looked at the cop picture several times. It seems at least as likely to me that they were making fun of the clueless person standing in the middle of traffic talking on her cell (or whatever she was doing) as they were making fun of the fat chick. If they didn’t ask to pose with her before doing the hat thing, I will eat that hat. I’m not saying cops are always perfect, but purposely messing with someone who clearly looks distressed just doesn’t sound right. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/138 "2013-05-16T19:05:16Z")
I’m offended, but not because of her size, at all. She’s a professor and writes that poorly? That’s what’s offensive here. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/139 "2013-05-16T19:14:36Z")
Wow. How fat have we gotten in this country when a woman her size has to overcompensate for not being fat enough to warrant stares by acting all weird and looking super awkward on purpose? I’m disgusted with us as a nation. _chucks the rest of my deep fried twinky into the trash_ ---
**Author:** ![colander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e8c25b/32.png) [@colander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/colander)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251/140 "2013-05-16T19:27:56Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > If they didn’t ask to pose with her before doing the hat thing, I will eat that hat. I’m not saying cops are always perfect, but purposely messing with someone who clearly looks distressed just doesn’t sound right. So in your mind, the possibilities are either that the photograph is staged because nobody would ever do something that terrible but then on the other hand it’s actually kind of understandable because who doesn’t see the fun of playing me-almost-touchy hat games with apparently mentally retarded strangers behind their backs? But the one thing that you seem absolutely sure that it definitely _isn’t_ is a gesture consciously meant to mock the person that the camera points at although even if it is who cares because they are probably just mocking her because she isn’t sitting up straight and her hair looks messy so of course what should she expect if she looks like that. Nope, that doesn’t bring any social maladies into focus for me at all. Clearly a failure of art! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attention-whore-or-social-commentator-obese-photographer/658251.md?page=8)