The fitness routines are always the most challenging and enjoyable to shoot. The Olympia presents a challenge when shooting the routines. The press pit is at a bit of a distance, which isn’t a huge issue until the routines go to the floor. The seasoned vets to this stage know to move to the front of the stage, where the best light is. The routines that get the most photographic coverage are those that are not on the ground and towards the front of the stage. The stage is elevated and when the routines are performed on the ground the photographers can only see the top of the competitor’s heads. That’s while you’ll see some routines have more images than others.
My favorite shot of the weekend is the one of Tanji Johnson in mid-air. Sometimes shots are perfectly framed and you’re able to capture the movement at the right time. It doesn’t happen often but these are the times that make photographing fun.
Tanji Johnson mid-flight at the Olympia.
Olympia champ, Jen Hendershott is also fun to shoot as she flies so high, she’s often out of the frame. As you shoot the competitors more, you learn who does what and how high they fly.
Jen Flying high at the Olympia.
Props to FLEX magazine for getting the women back in print. The feature is called, “The Girls Are Back” and back they are. The new magazine has Silvio Samuel on the cover and should be hitting the shelves now. The photos is the new issue are bad ass and Pauline looks awesome. I’m digging these photos and this direction in the mag.
What do you think?
Pauline Nordin in the newest FLEX magazine.
Awesome shots of Pauline Nordin.
The beautiful Rachel Cammon will be one to watch. She’s currently prepping for her second NPC figure show, the NPC Colorado State. Rachel has the look that will not only do well on stage but also in the modeling side of things. When we shot after her first show she literally stopped traffic. A poor observer on a motorcycle ran into the back of a car while we were rapping up the shoot. He was so busy looking at Rachel hanging from a tree limb that he failed to see the light had changed red. The guy was okay and more embarrassed than anything. Hey, can’t fault the guy for checking out a face and physique like this.
This is one of the many gym shots we took at Heather and Dylan Armbrust’s gym.
Rachel Cammon strikes a pose at Armbrust Pro Gym in Denver, Colorado.
We can narrow it down to fitness or figure in the 2008 Arnold Classic, but can you spot whose booties these belong to? The photo is published in the current issue of JPG magazine, a photography magazine found in most bookstores. “Booty Lineup” may seem like a regular ol’ image to those of us who attend competitions but to the general public this isn’t something they see every day. One of my goals for 2008 was to introduce figure and fitness to people outside of the current audience and fan base. Getting photos like this into non-fitness related magazines is one way of accomplishing this goal. I encourage everyone to do their part to help showcase the hard work of the women wherever they can.
Okay, I’m done tooting my own horn for a bit and will leave the tooting to Ms. Fitness Olympia. If you haven’t voted in the Adela Gas Poll yet, you can do so on this Hardbody post. It looks like the moped option is leading the way.
I get asked a number of questions over and over related to photography, photographers and modeling in the fitness industry. I’ll be sharing my thoughts on this topic and answer some of the questions I often get. Keep in mind, this is just my opinion and what I’ve found through my experience in the industry. I don’t claim to be the best photographer or know everything. Opinions are like… well we all know how that saying goes, however I am basing my opinions around my experience and absorbing information from others who I respect and admire in the fitness industry.
A topic that comes up time and time again is shooting with photographers and specifically what many refer to as “schmotographers”. Many people take offense to the term “schmo” and I’ve been called it myself a time or three. Do I consider myself one? No, but again I guess it’s a matter of opinion and how you define one. I could careless what someone calls me as I’ve been called far worse. My definition of a “schmotographer” is an individual who has little or no art/photography background, buys a fairly expensive camera (although not necessary), and enjoys taking pictures/videos of people with muscles. Most of these individuals are men however there are some women who do it as well. Do you need to attend an art school or study photography to take good photographs? Absolutely not. Many photographers have no formal training and take amazing shots. Many people refer to it as having “a good eye”. Which in lamest terms means some people have the ability to compose and frame a photo that is aesthetically pleasing while many others cannot. Some people learn how to do this through formal training while others have it naturally. I would say 98% of the “schmotographers” do not have a good eye. Anyone can take a photo, especially with digital technology advancing every day. Good photographers create images. There is a very distinct difference between taking a photo and creating an image. When you look at a photo you get some type of emotion from it. A number of things come into play that create an emotional connection through that photo… composition, color, lighting, style, wardrobe and more. I’ll touch on those specifics at a later date. If the photographer is good you will get a much different feel from the photo than if it is someone simply snapping a photo.
I’m asked by women on a weekly and sometimes daily basis if they should shoot with whom many would deem, a schmotographer. Every one is different and each individual has their own goals in mind by wanting to do a photo shoot. That applies to both the sides of the lense. Some women do photo shoots because it makes them feel sexy and confident. It’s flattering when someone contacts you and wants to take your picture and in the process promises you the moon. That doesn’t mean you should jump at the request. The “model” has her own goals by wanting to have photos taken as does the individual taking them. So what do I say to the women when asked about shooting - schmotographer or not?
I ask women this:
• What are your goals with your competitive and non-competitive career - short and long term?
• Do you have aspirations of being published in print?
• Are you a bodybuilder or a figure/fitness competitor?
• Have you met this person and looked at their work?
• Have you talked with someone you know and trust, that has worked with them?
Those are the initial questions. I’ll get into my personal feelings on those questions in the next segment. There are many, many topics within this area to discuss. I will begin to dissect them over the next few days/weeks. I’ll also provide insight from some of the fitness industry’s best as well as get opinions from the “schmotographers”. Keep in mind I am not trying to belittle or degrade anyone by calling them a schmotographer. I don’t think I am a better than anyone else, however I am in a position to educate and share information that many feel is helpful. Do with it what you will and in the end we all make our own decisions. My goal is to help provide hardbody.com readers with more information so they make educated decisions when it comes to their fitness careers on and off stage. If you have any specific questions or comments you’d like addressed in this series please email me at isaac @ hardbody.com or post in the comments field.
