Athlete (Sports Illustrated)

After 47 years behind the camera Walter Iooss Jr. can't quite put a number on the countless sports subjects he has photographed throughout his career. But whoever the portrait, whatever the setting, a common theme runs through his personal archive: All are athletes lured into the joy of sport. In a 256-page panoramic collection, Iooss handpicks more than 150 of his classic images—dozens never before published—to create a cinematic compilation of his work.

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.

Publishers Weekly

Famed sports photographer Iooss's talent is unmistakable, but this rather unorganized collection of more than 150 of his greatest shots does him a disservice. A brief introduction by Michael Jordan, a frequent Iooss subject, adds little to the subsequent images, which range from Jordan and his fellow Bulls alum Scottie Pippen to a group of boys playing baseball on a Havana street corner. Sprinkled throughout is commentary by Iooss on particular shots, including a pair of portraits featuring surfing greats Laird Hamilton and Kelly Slater, and several midair shots of Jordan and his trademark slam dunk. For readers unfamiliar with each famous face in sports history, the lack of titles will be irritating, and the index only adds to the confusion. The collection is arranged neither chronologically nor by sport, making it difficult to come away with an idea of Iooss's evolution as a photographer during his almost 50 years behind the camera. Iooss captured some of the greatest moments on and off fields, courts and rinks, but this portfolio doesn't do him justice. (May)