Walter Iooss Artist Talk – LOOK3 2015

An extended version of Walter Iooss, 2015 LOOK3 Artist, discussing his career photographic some of the worlds best known athletes and models at the Paramount Theater in Downtown Charlottesville. Iooss is interviewed by Steve Fine, the Photo Editor at Flipboard, where he contributes curatorial direction for The Shot.

Steve Fine, Sports Illustrated magazine’s director of photography, refers to Walter Iooss as the foremost sports photographer of his generation and a “fixture in American journalism.”

Iooss’ work is characterized by a dynamic perspective and a notable reverence for light. From his multi-year project on Olympic athletes up to and during the 1984 games to his iconic portraiture of athletes such as Michael Jordan to his 300-plus covers for Sports Illustrated, Iooss’ work is renowned worldwide. His celebrated publications include Hoops: Four Decades of the Pro Game (2005), Classic Baseball: The Photographs of Walter Iooss, Jr. (2003), Walter Iooss: A Lifetime Shooting Sports & Beauty (1999).

Walter’s passion recalls the words of his gifted predecessor, Henri Cartier-Bresson: “To take photographs is to hold one’s breath when all faculties converge in the face of fleeing reality…it is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis.”

“The real joy of photography is in these moments,” says Iooss. “I’m always looking for freedom, the search for the one-on-one. That’s when your instincts come out. I’ve been lucky enough to have people hire me to do that…It’s the discovery. It’s still magic.”