“I believe back in the days of analog photography, sports photographers had to work and prepare that little bit harder to catch the right shot and to capture that decisive moment.” - Richard Whiting.
Over the years, the Olympic Games have produced some of the greatest moments in sport. Such images will live on in the memory of those who managed to capture the moment, but also those who have seen these images used around the world.
To give everyone goosebumps, Richard suggests selecting images that show strong emotions. Readers of magazines and online articles, as well as viewers of films or documentaries, should have the feeling of having been there witnessing that particular moment live.
In sports like the 100-meter sprint, photographers only have 10 seconds to capture powerful images of the race and the athletes celebrating. Despite the short duration, the photos are often gripping, as every moment counts. Even during the swim, where there is a lot going on, the photographers manage to take exciting pictures of the swimmers in the water despite the heat, the noise inside the arena and the sometimes limited space to work.
The images of the Olympic Games are timeless and make it possible to revisit special events and report on them again and again. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous for an agency to have an extensive archive of photos from past Olympic Games for selection. Above all, there, you can find impressive analog images that were taken in the right place at the right time, showcasing IMAGO’s vast collections of images from the past.
IMAGO / United Archives International | Bob Beamon El Paso Texas USA in a prodigious leap which bettered the old world record by more than two feet leaps 29 feet 2 half inches at the men's long jump event to win the Olympic Gold medal in the 19th Olympic Games Mexico City 1968.
Read the full interview in The Game Magazine for more insights and to learn more about Richard's experience attending the Olympic Games.
If you are interested in finding out more about IMAGO's visual content coverage of the Olympics, please contact Richard Whiting directly for personalized advice on his LinkedIn or by emailing richard.whiting@imago-images.de. Feel free to mention this article when you contact him.