Criticism of Photographer Behind U.S. Olympic Team Portraits

Digital Photographer ^ | 7/2/2012 | Allison Gibson

[Loud Mime]

Photographer Joe Klamar has become the target of much scrutiny—and in some cases, ire—ever since the series of portraits he shot of U.S. Olympic team athletes was published by CBS News. The criticism is that the photographs fall short: they’re underwhelming both visually and from a technical point of view, especially when you consider that the occasion they represent (the Olympic Games!) has likely been a lifelong dream for these athletes.

Not that you can tell from these awkwardly lit and posed shots. Also, note the torn seamless paper.

[Loud Mime]

I just got back to California after working six weeks at the Olympic Training Center as a photographer for another sport. I will say, as a professional, that these photos are below Olympic standards.

Our athletes deserve better.

[ClearCase_guy]

Ansell Adams used to painstakingly set up his shots, then wait for just the right moment, take 1 or 2 pictures, and then go back an develop the pictures. Usually, the result was a masterpiece.

Of course, nowadays, some folks just squeeze off a bunch of snapshots, and then depend on photoshop to help them look like they know what they're doing.

[ConorMacNessa]

That's an understatment! They stink!　



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[bgill]

Barf. Those are simply awful.

[Irenic]

When everyone is expected to get an award for participation and nobody is supposed to win or beat anybody too much...what do we expect?

Mediocre and participatory is about the height of achievement in the USA nowadays.

[cripplecreek]

Yup those are crap.

[ak267]

As they say in the news biz: “He phoned it in”.

[nascarnation]

Joe Klamar is a distinguished and outstanding personality of contemporary photo reportage. As Agence France Presse's chief photographer.

I believe we've uncovered something here...

[cripplecreek]

I'm no professional but damn. Personally I want no part of photographing people. Animals and scenery don't complain.

[cripplecreek]

The world's highest priced photo fetched $4.3 million.

[nascarnation]

Klamar made 4.3 mil on a photo?

[ArcadeQuarters]

It looks like the style is inspired by bad Facebook/Instagram photos.

[cripplecreek]

Andreas Gursky

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-11-09/lifestyle/30376795_1_snapshot-christie-anonymous-buyer

He also comes in 3rd on the list of most expensive photos with one looking over the top of grocery store shelves.

[hadit2here]

As a former professional portrait photographer, these aren’t even *amateur* quality. And they *paid* him to take them? Sheesh.

[rem_mitchell]

The old saying “he phoned it in”. These look like he took them with his cell phone.

[henkster]

4.3 million for that? It looks like something I shot out of the car window on the way to the beach...and promptly deleted it from the camera.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I love NM, but you live in a beautiful place.

[Girlene]

These are really bad......a few more.

[Ron C.]

There's only one explanation for this miserable display of 'photography' - the man hates athletic people - wants to portray them in the worst light (and public perception) that he can.

He quite likely cheers every time a Russian beats an American in Olympic games.

[Leo Carpathian]

Perfect fotogrufer for Kenyan in white hut, letsee sum pikatures!