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James Dodd
Olympic Dreams
Sport funding in the UK has increased dramatically as a result of winning the 2012 Olympic bid. Knowing the eyes of the world will soon be upon the nation, much of this funding has been spent scouting exceptional youth talent and intensely developing them into potential Olympians. Over the past 2 years (2008-2010), James has been following the British junior diving team in Sheffield UK, documenting their trials and tribulations en route to the games. This work explores the pressures and expectations placed upon the youth of a nation aiming to succeed, and in this case reach their olympic dreams. This project is ongoing.
Bio
James Dodd, a 26 year old UK based photographer from Sheffield, originally studied Computing and Business Practices, before completing his photojournalism training through the National Council for the Training of Journalists. A founding member of the photography collective Statement Images (www.statementimages.co.uk) James is also the current photographer & curator in residence at Bank Street Arts (www.bankstreetarts.com) in Sheffield. Through his work James covers a vast range of subjects and concepts, from hard news coverage, to in-depth documentary series on sport and pastimes.
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Some wonderful work here James: 1, 10 and 21 especially. Regarding these, I agree with all the complimentary superlatives above. Other images are striking, though (for me) not nearly as forceful.
One other point. I understand your choice of ‘Olympic Dreams’ for the title, but that second word seems a bit ordinary, a bit close to those obvious, rather cloying clichés: American Dream, hopes and dreams, etc. Maybe something more technical and intriguing, involving the speed or time it takes to dive (1.5 seconds is it?) or some slang word or phrase particular to that sport; something shorter anyway, that does justice to the more punchy images.
Just my take anyway, and congrats on getting onto Burn.
Best wishes,
Mark
……..like ker..plunk!
These pictures talk to me.
Thanks!
I think this tighter edit is stronger than the original sequence of 33 images.
Anyway, it’s an original and intriguing approach to the subject: dark blacks and the way you “move” around the scene frame after frame, chasing the details, in the different diving sequences recalls in some way a graphic novel.
Image #13 looks like a classical Deposition of Christ (just from an unusual pov and with a modern haircut ;)… i like how the detail of the asymmetrical dorsals in this image communicates the tension of the moment.
Congratulations, James
Hi James,
I love it! Really love it! The following are my personal favourites: 1, 6, 9, 10, 14, 21.
The underwater shots to me have by far the most magic – whole worlds in a number of them. The above water shots – which obviously have to be in there for the story, mix and balance – don’t quite match that level of poetry but, I have a feeling you’re on the fast track to those right now!
I have only read three comments above but agree with what Abele says about the title. But on listening to her suggestion, at first I was excited by ‘Olympic 1.5′ as it sounds exciting and snappy but, it somehow misses out on the beauty and magic, and that, to me, is the best part.
I’m missing doing lengths in a swimming pool at this very moment and thinking of a friend doing well in the Tokyo swimming championships! Go Dave Go!
Congratulations!!! It’s stunning work!!!
Jenny
oops yes! missed out image 13… ditto to Abele’s comment – and i love that modern haircut on an image of ‘Christ’!
love the use of b & w here. some of these images are just wonderful, dream-like even!
maybe a shorter edit, but im not complaining!
keep it up!!
Some tremendous images (particularly the underwater images 1,6,10,21) and a cohesive body of work. I like the style you have used and think low key B&W has created an intensity that works well. I really enjoyed looking through them.
Personally, I think the edit could have been a little tighter. In particular, I’m not so sure about 16,17 and 18, which I feel are very different in feel than the remainder of the work. Its as if the abstractness and strong aesthetic of the other images, as a body,is diluted by those three. Might it have been stronger without these more literal images?
Superb…
Very nice James. I like the the use of repetition, and makes me wonder how to incorporate it into my own story telling without it becoming plodding or methodical. I think the fine art aspect lends itself to the repetition. As there is little visual information in each shot repeating images help to build the feel and weight of the essay. I love the B&W although I am curious what these would look like in color.
Congratulations. Great job.
All the best,
Frank
You have some really beautiful images James, I especially like the ethereal quality of the underwater images.
What I think is missing, and in my opinion vital to this story, are moments. I get no sense of struggle or team camaraderie. I would really like to see what this opportunity means to the athletes, and I’m not getting that at all.
Just to add my four cents worth on TS’s observation about 16,17, and 18, I disagree – particularly with #18. I feel it a vital image to the series.
As to the idea of struggle, I find #14 particularly strong. I get the feeling that the kids is totally immersed in the struggle, very near to being overwhelmed.
Just logged in again to get my daily ‘fix’ of James’ first image. I don’t know if it means something special to him, but to me it’s the dog’s b*****cks (not my usual turn of phrase but the image led me to it!). The girl looks to be experiencing a moment of bliss at one with, and trusting in, the universe. And to get to that experience – the feeling in the photograph – is a Herculean task. She’s gliding – comfortably warm inside and centered – through a magical world bathed in pure light. It’s not water surrounding her – it’s an ocean of love!!! You’ve captured a memory of a cherished time in this photograph. Thank you so much.
Some really nice images, but I don’t see the necessity, nor the evidence, for talking about the Olympics.
This could have been done anywhere and at anytime.
Rather than “pressure, tribulation and expectation” I just see some kids diving and swimming and the beauty related to this activity.
However, there are quite a few stunning images and maybe instead of looking for a timely “excuse” for your essay, you could just carry on taking these photos without thinking necessarily to the Olympics. By doing this, you could find more expressive freedom and a better flow through the images.
Congratulations for the powerful images.
the new edit really helps! the under water shots are the strongest!
James. Could you possibly hook us up with wallpaper of number 1? This stuff is really wonderful. Congratulations.
Windup: I’d rather see a very large print of Image 1 covering a large wall in the National Gallery in London when I get back home. And Marcus Bleasdale’s work in DRC alongside his fashion work on the Gallery’s other walls because seen together the statement is most educational. Then when that exhibition has closed, mine in colour across ALL the walls! ; )
PS Then when we Brits have been seen, perhaps the gallery and other galleries could show the work of some of those authors living in the home of 21st Century “Big Brother” across the Atlantic ocean. Would be so nice to see DAH and others across the walls in London as well! : )
Love the new edit.
James I love the work! Keep it up. The essay has feeling and moves me. Thanks for sharing!!
Not sure if James is reading this.
I’m back for the daily fix. Just done some thinking on it. Why the need for any ‘out of water’ shots at all? We get to see what humans can do in air all the time, but not often we get to see what they can do or look like in water – especially those who are best at it (Olympic champions and trainees).
We were once fish (way back in time) and somehow the underwater shots remind me of this. Who knows me might once have been able to jump and fly vertically out of the water and do spins like whales and dolphins! I know that there ARE some humans that can do something similar – I saw them in a synchronized swimming competition on TV not that long ago – their aquatic acrobatics were breath-taking! ; ) So, I’d like to see these underwater images combined with images of dolphins taken in similar conditions (night shots). It would require diving with dolphins at night and I know of a couple of places where you might be able to do this – if you like the idea.
The people in your sequence are the best of our kind in the water (well the UK variety ; )) – and to hook them up with dophins – considered one of the most amazing species in the marine world – could be mind-blowing! I think it would be so exciting to look at and who knows, the effect of seeing it could start a whole generation off on swimming! Since certain species of dolphins and whales are endangered, it could also bring a useful connection into the frame that could help protect them as well.
A little radical perhaps?
@mark g:
It’s 1.6 seconds (or there about). But regardless I won’t be changing the title.
I feel “dreams” not only informs the “hopes and dreams” (regardless of how cliché you may see the term this is exactly what it is) of the young diving talent, and also (for me at least) I feel that “dreams” informs the aesthetics.
Falling, flying, drowning, suffocation, freedom, pressure etc. are just some key elements of dreams, and are elements I specifically aimed to capture (or at least the feelings of) with the images.
@jenny:
Do you not think “hooking them up” with pictures of dolphins would be completely out of the context I’m working with?
@mimi:
“I don’t see the necessity, nor the evidence, for talking about the Olympics.”
These are children training on a olympic funded program… training for the olympics and I’m documenting them in the run up to that.
In a nut shell, without the olympics these children wouldn’t be in this situation, nor would I be taking the images.
Hi James,
I appreciate the matter of fact, however I was referring to visual references to the Olympics, which could even consist only of a couple of shots where something related to the Olympic Games is evident or suggested. You see your photographs are very beautiful, as amazing are the photographs of Trent Parke taken underwater, which deal with the emotions of swimming together in the sea. Your project suggests all of this and more, but I am afraid that I do not see anything that relates your photographs to the Olympic Games.
You say:
“without the olympics these children wouldn’t be in this situation, nor would I be taking the images”
I would respond to that saying that this theory applies to everything we are surrounded by and that we take pictures of.
I understand that the reason you have produced these images is tightly related to the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean that these pictures are about that.
However, I would be interested in discussing this further with you and if you are as well, than you are more than welcome to email me at info#mimimollica+com
Please, do not take my words as a criticism towards the quality of your images as I have found them very very beautiful. This is only a mere discussion on what is a photo-essay with relation to its form and content.
Thanks
Mimi
jenny–
you might like gregory colbert’s “ashes and snow” work.
http://www.ashesandsnow.org/
thanks Katia for the link to gregory colbert, I saw the exhibition in NYC about 5 years ago, amazing!
JAMES: No, I dont. And I also respect your decision to do your story as you wish. Personally I enjoy hearing others ideas and perspectives and am happy to either accept them or reject them as I see fit.
The children are in the Olympics – they are the best of the best, I would presume. They will never be able to swim at the speed of a dolphin but if they love the water and swimming, I expect they’d be very interested to consider this. Who knows, they may even find that the study of dolphins – how they move in the water – could help them win the Olympics. A close friend of mine was a down-hill ski racer and I know that it was the flexibility of his mind, in addition to the training, that kept him winning.
I also agree with Mimi’s comment. There needs to be references to all the aspects called for in daily life to make these children Olympic winners. That includs images that give the idea of relentless training and discipline.
KATIA: Thanks so much!
It is an amazing work, I like the picture 1 so much, it is wonderful!
The new edit is better. Why do I keep tripping up on 18 which by itself is a nice image? Perhaps it is too didactic within the context of the whole, like being shaken awake from a dream? Not sure, just something to think about.
I enjoyed your work very much, I’m glad this made it! (i thought some of the whites were a little hot, but overall) great lighting.