Photo by Martin Schoeller for TIME
I've been looking at a whole lot of Olympian portraits in the past three days—present and past.
My favorite from these games so far is this portrait for TIME magazine, descriptively entitled "Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas eats breakfast while stretching on the stairs of her host family’s home in Des Moines, Iowa." (Larger version here.)
It's by German-born Martin Schoeller, one of the biggest of the big super-slick pros right now, a guy in the full flower of a major commercial career. Later this week, TIME will roll out three simultaneous covers, all portrait of Olympians by Martin. (A fourth was planned, but the athlete unfortunately faltered and didn't make it to London.)
The shot of Gabby Douglas on the stairs is a set up shot, and my tastes do tend toward found photographs—the pros I tend to follow are usually photojournalists rather than advertising and fashion guys or the editorial photographers who follow their stylistic leads. But it's not a picture I've seen before, which is a relief: that is, the "athlete stretching on stairs" shot is not a meme that everybody and his brother dutifully coughs up on command. In fact it even accesses some of the whimsy and surprise that can be found in real candids—although a set-up scene, I almost get the feeling that it's something the photographer discovered rather than created (even if it's not).
At the same time—creating a tension, for me—is the way it simultaneously references the "tableau" style from the art photography world, the work of photographer/artists who craft careful recreations of ideas about life.
Even the typical slickness—the perfection of lighting and makeup that, I have to keep reminding myself, some people like—is counterbalanced by all those beautiful random shapes in the upper corners and by the apparently casual presence of the little girl and the backpacks on either side of her. (I'm sure there was actually nothing casual or random about their placement. But it works.)
The stretch itself screams "athlete." At least to me. It takes me ten minutes to touch my toes.
Best of all is the wonderful expression on Gabby Douglas's beautiful face—the super-confident, self-contained look of the highly trained, superbly skilled athlete. It sets everything else off.
Just love the pic.
Your favorite might be a different one. You can see more of Martin's athletes at TIME LightBox. There's a nice brief video of Martin at work at the same link.
Mike
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Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
Featured Comment by Anton Wilhelm Stolzing: "Roland Barthes: 'A photograph's punctum is that accident [of photographic detail] which pricks me (but also bruises me, is poignant to me), ...for punctum is also: sting, speck, cut, little hole—and also a cast of the dice.' It seems Mr. Schoeller has read his Barthes."
Featured Comment by Andrew Molitor: "I agree with almost everything you say about the shot, Mike, except that I think the lighting is terrible. The light screams 'studio' while the scene says 'home' and the conflict damages the image for me substantially. It's almost surrealist, but not quite that either. The athlete and the setup are fantastic, though, I agree completely."
Mike replies: I do agree that I would be happier if it were more naturalistic. But then, that's a prejudice with me, so I have to be on guard against it—I almost always prefer photographs that are more naturalistic (even when it's faked!). Still, I can understand how that undesirable tension (between studio cues and location cues) is a problem for you.
I like the photo but as a Pediatrician, I'm alarmed by a stairway without a railing.
Somebody's going to get hurt!
Posted by: steve jacobs | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 12:47 PM
I get the impression that the young girl at the bottom of the stairs is also a gymnast, but younger. That's an assumption, which might be wrong.
Posted by: John Krill | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 02:04 PM
So...somebody forgot to say "Cheese!" ?
From the expression on the young lady's face either she really isn't enjoying the photographic experience or she found a hair in her cereal.
I've never seen that particular set up before, and it's nice to see something new.
But a smile would've killed her? If I were Mr. Schoeller I think maybe I would've suggested something less..."put upon".
Or maybe she's irritated because she can't find her other sock.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Hart | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 02:24 PM
"Best of all is the wonderful expression on Gabby Douglas's beautiful face—the super-confident, self-contained look of the highly trained, superbly skilled athlete."
Hm. I would have described that expression as one of extreme annoyance at the photographer.
Posted by: Timprov | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 03:03 PM
"...I'm alarmed by a stairway without a railing..."
Photoshop magic??
Cheers...
Posted by: MichaelG | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 03:05 PM
That is the look of someone who has proven herself, to herself, beyond all doubt, who she really is... just breathtaking. Thank you for posting it!
Posted by: Asad Masede | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 03:44 PM
I agree it is truly a superb shot, and 100% more of a controlled (studio) shot. The big piece that solidifies that idea is no handrails on the staircase in a house with children.
With her positioning being exactly where the handrails should be, I'm feeling a subliminal message. Maybe not so subliminal.
Posted by: Kenneth | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 04:48 PM
I think I would rip down the middle and bleed trying to imitate that pose. Great shot though.
Posted by: MJFerron | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 06:35 PM
You CAN touch your toes?
Posted by: Steve Jacob | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 06:37 PM
I bet those girls hanging out on the stairs have air conditioning.
Posted by: David | Monday, 23 July 2012 at 06:55 PM
Best wishes from Romania! :)
http://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19760802,00.html
Posted by: Dragos Bora | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 04:49 AM
There's a series of Olympian portraits done by ESPN for their body issue, it's a full series of (implied) nude shoots. Their slickness was a real counter-point to that very talked about series. However, what I found refreshing was their inclusion of Oskana Masters, a para-olympian.
You can see the image here: http://espn.go.com/espn/photos/gallery/_/id/8136693/image/25/oksana-masters-2012-body-issue-bodies-want-espn-magazine (depending where you work, possibly Not Safe For Work)
Posted by: Mark Scholey | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 05:43 AM
Dragos,
Ah, thanks for the memories....
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 01:18 PM
Couldn't agree more. And she is really beautiful. Without trying to look "glamour".
Posted by: Eolake Stobblehouse | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 01:22 PM
I can barely touch my toes. *If* I'm allowed to bend my knees. 40 years of being buried in reading has taken its toll.
Posted by: Eolake Stobblehouse | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 01:23 PM
I would love more posts like this featuring excellent photography and what you see in it that makes it excellent. I've never studied photography formally, so this will be my night school.
Posted by: JohnMFlores | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 02:26 PM
The only three things I noticed were the miserable expression, the bizarre house/studio 'look' and what an unpleasant environment to be in with carpets like that. It must be a studio, no?
Posted by: MartinP | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 03:01 PM
For me, the best photos are stylized. The shooter has to bring something to the party.
Time magazine made the choice to send Martin Schoeller, instead of Mark the Cobra Snake.
Posted by: c.d.embrey | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 07:49 PM
Love the game face! Wishing her all the best.
Posted by: Mani Sitaraman | Tuesday, 24 July 2012 at 08:38 PM
Although I like gritty reality as much as anyone there is something deeply satisfying in seeing a well constructed technical photograph as an example of sheer craftsmanship.
True, there is a lot of it about (any big bucks advertising or fashion shoot) but that does not make it easy or accessible, which is why these guys get paid serious money for a single shoot. Only a small proportion of staged photographic work has that something special that marks out the great from the merely competent.
These photographers are if anything the modern day equivalent to the "Great Masters" of portrait and still life painting prior to the 19th century. Perfect lighting, perfect composition and, in many cases, an allegorical element. The only thing that's really changed is the style and nature of the subject matter. The technical elements are the same as they always were.
Although my art preferences are decidedly modern am I still capable of being awestruck by a real Rembrandt, Velasquez or Sargent.
Posted by: Steve Jacob | Wednesday, 25 July 2012 at 10:00 AM
Mike, spending 10 minutes just trying to touch your toes demonstrates the commitment of a true athlete :)
Posted by: Michael Barkowski | Monday, 30 July 2012 at 11:59 AM