Brooklyn Beckham’s New Photo Book is Getting Slammed
Brooklyn Beckham, the son of soccer star David Beckham, caused a stir in the photo industry a couple of years ago when he jumped in and shot a campaign for Burberry — industry veterans reportedly called the hiring “sheer nepotism” and a “devaluation of photography.” Now the 18-year-old is set to release his first photo book later this week, and this new endeavor is getting slammed as well.
WHAT I SEE, the first book by Brooklyn Beckham, is a series of snapshots of his life. Each chapter tells a different story through pictures by and of Brooklyn, accompanied by captions and passages of text in his own words. Unique, authentic and stylish, WHAT I SEE is a glimpse behind the lens.
The Independent reports that the book has been criticized and ridiculed by professional critics and photographers. Here’s what iNews art editor and former Independent writer Alice Jones had to say:
Huge fan of Brooklyn Beckham's terrible photographs and even worse captions pic.twitter.com/012PeCcED4
— Alice Jones (@alicevjones) June 23, 2017
The caption next to a shadowy photo of an elephant reads: “Elephants in Kenya. so hard to photograph, but incredible to see.”
In another caption next to a blurry photo in a restaurant, Beckham writes: “Dinner. i like this picture – it’s out of focus but you can tell there’s a lot going on.”
how many teenagers having fun with a camera get a book deal with Penguin Random House?
— Alice Jones (@alicevjones) June 23, 2017
While there has been plenty of criticism of the photo book online, others have come to Beckham’s defense:
Just read a thread pisstaking Brooklyn Beckham's book deal. The kid's not smacked off his tits & enjoys a creative outlet. That's good by me
— Susie Verrill (@susiejverrill) June 23, 2017
Blimey, leave Brooklyn Beckham alone. Just don't buy the book? Focus on helping others up rather than pulling others down. Big yawn.
— miss magpie (@miss_magpie_spy) June 23, 2017
Everyone's a critic…Kids just starting but this shows it can be a curse being who he is. He's keen and he will learn #brooklynbeckham https://t.co/L3DszlmuNz
— Stefan Willoughby (@StefWillo) June 23, 2017
The book’s publisher, Penguin Random House Children’s, also stood by Beckham and the book.
“What I See is a book for teenagers, by a teenager, which gives Brooklyn’s fans broader insight into his world seen through his unique and creative perspective,” Managing Director Francesca Dow tells The Independent. “Teenagers lives are filled with the visual image and we know Brooklyn’s photos resonate with his huge young following, who avidly follow his life through his photography. We are proud to bring these images together in a book for a young generation for the first time.”
“At Penguin Random House we publish a wide range of voices for all kinds of readers.”
Beckham will be signing his debut book at an event in Manchester, Liverpool, this week, and he has reportedly banned selfies and giving him gifts at the event. He’s also holding an exhibition of 24 photos at Christie’s today, and all proceeds from the sale of his work will be donated to Grenfell Tower victims.
What I See will be released on June 29th in the UK and August 1st in the US for £8.50 and $17.61, respectively.
