I find the commentary of the photographer to be predictable.   She has entered a foreign culture and very private realm.  Instead of investigating what she sees, she is subjecting what she sees with the American prejudice.  Although Williams says she is celebrating women who are not controlled by the western constructs of body consciousness (and focus on being thin and young) she is constantly making us aware of that consciousness with her commentary.     Why do contemporary photo projects always have to have a running political statement behind them - that is usually defined even before the photographer goes out to shoot?

I have not seen the book or the comments made by Jenette Williams, only the photos here on Daylight. My reactions are to the photos themselves. Using a camera is an investigation in itself, thanks to the eye that chooses the scene.  These photos speak clearly that we are seeing a group of women, trusting and comfortable with one another, in common enjoyment in the pleasures of bathing, regardless of opinion or commentary.  Lovely photos.  I suspect that Anonymous suffers from shock due to the American consciousness she/he so abhors. Relax a bit and just look at them.

I had seen ads for "The Bathers" previously, so was delighted to come upon the slideshow via Daylight Magazine's Website. I watched, without the audio...

How very, very beautiful are the images of, and the bathing women themselves!! I can't wait to urge my wife to view the slideshow, which confirms, magnificently, that there are mature women in their senior years who are secure in their embodiment, so much so that they are willing to make a gift of the beauty of the settled self-acceptance of their embodiment in this phase of their lives by allowing Williams to photograph them and display the images. My thanks to these generous and courageous women of beautiful embodiment, and to Jennette Williams.

Lou Outlaw • 25 Feb 2010

This body of work is magnificent and well-conceived. BUT it is not documentary photography. I truly would like to read an explanation from Duke and Mary Ellen Mark as to why these photographs, which were heavily choreographed by the photographer are considered documentary. The photographer also has said she paid her subjects to pose for her.  Assigning an award for documetary dilutes the field of journalism and reportage which is already beseiged.