ESPN Highlights The Issue of Body:

This is the fourth year of ESPN ‘s The Body Issue and keeping in line with ESPN’s lean towards sensationalism mixed with high quality visual journalism, the photo spread is very impressive. Some of today’s most well know and accomplished athletes strip down to their birthday suits for portraits that embody competitive physical perfection, explosive kinetic energy and the flare and bravado that comes when one is free to do what they practice as much as they love. Just looking at the finished pieces and the videos done behind the scenes (scroll down) this seems like a fun project for not only the athletes but the photographers and videographers as well. It must be a lot of fun having a job at ESPN in the visual production department.

Maya Gabiera Underwater Undressed

Candace Parker Baller in the Buff

Olympian Carmelita Jeter

…And My Favorite Shot…

ESPN’s photographic and video team do a fantastic job in capturing moments in motion where the athletes show their competitive drive at the point where it meets physical preparation. But some of my favorite shots are the candid portraits of the subjects at rest. Below is Oksana Masters, the 23 year old paralympic rower. This shot is one of my favs for a few reasons. The composition of the shot, the coloring, lighting and angles almost don’t fit into what we might normally expect from the issue’s theme. It’s like a Norman Rockwell setting with a naked amputee jammed in the scene. But I am also intrigued by this young woman’s background story.

THE WAY SHE TELLS IT: Growing up in a very poor orphanage in Ukraine, there wasn’t much food. I can go days without eating if I don’t think about food. Your mind, to protect itself, learns not to pay attention to that hunger feeling. That’s why for me, eating i one of the hardest things.