There's a reason Photography (and other) forums have such a reputation as the domain of moaners and this thread is a prime example of it! Simple observation is made that some photos are average and all hell breaks loose!
I'm sort of on both sides.... I think the photos do a job. Neither amazing or crap. But then when this becomes an attack on the guys career it becomes farcical. He is an internationally renowned and respected commercial photographer, and there has to be a reason for that. His work sells, and he has put himself in that position.
For amateur's and relatively low level professionals on here to slag of the guys body of work is a bit ridiculous. First of all people claiming they can do better, what is 'better'.... technically better or creatively better in your eyes... you see either way it doesn't matter. His work pleases those that pay for it. Period! If you are a commercial photographer i'm guessing you are motivated by success and not some dream about creating the perfect picture. As others have said success comes from pleasing the client in every way, both in terms of the results you achieve and how you are to deal with. Clearly Testino and other big name photographers are succeeding and satisfying those who pay vast sums for their services. You can say on a forum that in this shoot he should have got more creative, done x, y and z, but he doesn't give two ***** what you say. What he does works, has gained him recognition, and most importantly it pays!
(by the way I think everyone is right to crit these two photos.... thats a useful exercise for people interested in photography, and there are of course going to be different opinions. There is just no need for it to descend into making outlandish statements about how a massively successful tog is average at what he does. It's not true because what he does is sells pictures and Testino is well above average in that regard!)
