Sports Illustrated: Athlete

For Iooss--whose efforts have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated nearly 300 times--every picture really does tell a story. Here he highlights his favorites with behind-the-scenes anecdotes. For the famous "Blue Dunk" overhead shot of Michael Jordan taken in 1987, Iooss personally painted the parking lot, stationed himself in a cherry picker and waited for the shot. While shadowing Tiger Woods from hole to hole in Carlsbad in 2000, the photographer purposefully wore dark glasses the entire day so as to not look in the golfer's eyes. And in 2003, Iooss literally couldn't sleep the night before reuniting Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for their first photo together in 30 years. In a lyrical display, we witness a creative evolution as Iooss continually discovers new ways and approaches to capture the athletic spirit. Iooss's passion, power and perspective are clearly at play in this artful package.

Spotlight Reviews
Amazing (2008-11-22)
Customer Review : 5
I saw a few shots from this book on the Today show, but never have I been so astounded by photographs and I love photography. We've all seen sports books but this book has only one word to describe it...AMAZING.
I'd give it 10 stars if I could
Elizabeth

An amazing book (2008-07-12)
Customer Review : 5
I got this for my husband for Father's Day, and while I expected a large book, this is more than I imagined. The pictures are so dramatic in content and so large in scope, each page requires an extended time to absorb it. My husband is thrilled with it, and goes back to it regularly as it can't be read all at once. A must for every sports fan!

In AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!! (2008-07-12)
Customer Review : 5
I purchased this book for my husband, after seeing Mr. Ross on the Today Show. My husband who is a sport freak, is totally in love with this book. The pictures are stunning! This is a MUST have for any sports lover. And the price is amazing!!

Superb pictures (2008-06-21)
Customer Review : 4
OK look-- and I mean it- LOOK! This oversized, coffee table book is filled with incredible images and sports moments. Micheal Jordan frozen high above the court, Arnold Palmer & Jack Nicklaus looking like kids sharing a table, Muhammad Ali & Joe Frazier looking like old warriors/friends. And the occasional anecdotes about the shoots are wonderful.

Why only 4-stars? The presentation doesn't allow for any identifying captions on each page. There's an index-type "key" in the back of the book. Given the book's size, it is rather awkward to flip the pages forward and back to identify the athletes, not to mention that the entries are somewhat difficult to read due to the very small font.

BUT-- this is a minor complaint. If you've never seen Iooss' work (impossible?), you're in for a huge treat. And even if you have, you owe it to yourself to see them presented here. Gorgeous.

BEAUTIFUL (2008-06-19)
Customer Review : 5
As a former professional photographer (and currently successful writer), I consider Walter Iooss to be the best working photographer around (and the best sports photographer ever); his new book, a retrospective of his 40 years behind the lens, confirms this in spades. Whether you're a sports fan or just a fan of beautiful imagery, this book is a must. Hear me? A MUST. (And at the Amazon price you goddabe nuts not to own it.)