i recently read THIS article, it talks about how rihanna has used imagry which may have been copied from the photographs taken by sandy kim. Although the comparison imagry (seen above rihanna; right, sandy; left) does look slightly different it shows significant similarities, especially when the video idea explores something very “unlike” rihanna. it seems a bit too gritty and unrealistic to be believeable, i know that is a weird thing to say especially as it is a music video, but i’ve recently done research about Kims work and it seems a little too similar to just be chance. i’m just sad because i know if i thought i saw someone with a lot more power using my imagry, it would be a huge compliment to be an influence but i would also very intimidated, especially because it can’t really be proved and also because they will get away with it, continue to do so. it is however quite likely that ideas were taken from her work, simply because of the similarities between previous rihanna videos and the work of Ryan McGinley (also a photographer). 

it’s frustrating because companies feel like due to their size and power they can take the work of other people who are below them, especially personal work. i suppose nothing is really “original” anymore and i accept that, but when its photographs, a personal diary of someone elses life it seems a bit much. for small independant photographers the money earnt isn’t exactly much, for multi-millionaire rihanna it is obviously easier to steal the work of someone who can’t fight back (in her eyes) instead of thinking up her own ideas oR even using her money to pay people with good ideas.

its v hard to get credit for anything! 

also i am not directing this souly at rihanna- like she deals with her videos shes too busy doing evERYTHING ELSE duH!

“This isn’t the first time that a Melina Matsoukas-directed Rihanna video has been called out for referencing source material too closely.”

other articles: crediting and her film director | ryan mcginley/rihanna