SOLVE SUNDSBO - THE PHOTO MAGICIAN

SOLVE SUNDSBO initially was misunderstood in the fashion photography world. "People would say to me, 'I'm not sure I can hire you, I'm not sure what you're doing. What is your style?' I was mortified and thought I was never going to make a living as a photographer." What was different about Solve is that he embraced every photography technique there was, whether it be X-rays, 3-D scanning, high-tech manipulation, or hand-painted retouching..."If I've got a style, it's that I've got no style."

While taking a photography course in London, a phone call from Nick Knight offering a position as an assistant changed his world. For four years, Solve dedicated himself to Nick, and in return Nick who is one of the most influential fashion photographers, gave back to Solve as well.

Now Solve is a fashion world institution. His portfolio consists of Dior, Gucci, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, Bally, and Armani. Fashion designer Tom Ford says, "Solve is a great talent in the fashion industry. His photographs speak for themselves. They are powerful, beautiful, always fresh, and I am lucky to have worked with him over the past decade." Even though it looks like Solve's photos are digitally altered, they're not; he uses old-fashioned techniques.

When it comes to photography nowadays Solve says, "Photography has become democratic – anyone with a digital camera can shoot something and alter it in Photoshop to make it look polished. For the past four or five years there's been a lot of dull, perfected work around, but there's an industry backlash going on now." Sorry Mr. Professional!!! What is crazy though, is that Solve Sundsbo's work is unlike anything I've seen in photography, and is truly a masterpiece in itself.

You Just Do You, Imma Do Me

Camille

Is Suri Cruise too old for pacifier

  Is Suri Cruise too old for pacifier

Suri Cruise was photographed recently with a pacifier in her mouth, raising eyebrows given that she's a month shy of her 5th birthday.

Setting aside for a moment the creepiness of paparazzi stalking a preschooler, what do you think? Pacifiers are one of those topics that everyone seems to have an opinion on -- even if the only thing they've been parent to is a houseplant.
While we thought the stuffed bear she carried was a nice little touch and effectively complemented her peacoat, we were nevertheless distracted by a certain accessory lodged between her lips. After all, with Suri turning 5 next month, it seems a bit odd that she would still be using a pacifier.
One anonymous commenter, no doubt a Ph.D. in child development taking a break from the research lab, chimes in on Celebrity Baby Scoop:
A child who starts preschool should not have a binky....end of story! It's called lazy parenting....omg *gasp* that's right I said it....Lazy Parenting!!!
Deep breath, everyone. It's just a pacifier. While many experts recommend phasing out the binky around age 1, that's not a hard-and-fast rule. Plenty hang onto pacifiers longer than that, and we -- ahem, I mean they -- turn out just fine.
Frankly, if you lived with Tom Cruise and had photographers following you to every play date, you'd probably need a little soothing, too.
Perhaps Suri with a soother seems particularly odd because she often dresses like a mini-adult, a little fashionista. Parents Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were raked over the coals last year for letting her wear heels and lipstick. Too young, too old... they just can't win!

What do you think? Vote in our poll here, and sound off in the comments. When did your kid quit the binky? If you have any brilliant ideas for how to wean your child off the pacifier, please, this is the place to share.