Comments on: james dodd – olympic dreams

By: JAMES DODD

JAMES DODD — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 16:35:32 +0000

[...] VIA [...]

By: huntingbears

huntingbears — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:27:57 +0000

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.

By: tom hyde

tom hyde — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:12:24 +0000

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.

By: Nico Chiapperini

Nico Chiapperini — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:57:38 +0000

It is an amazing work, I like the picture 1 so much, it is wonderful!

By: jenny lynn walker

jenny lynn walker — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:07:48 +0000

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!

By: nancyspadaro

nancyspadaro — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:53:05 +0000

thanks Katia for the link to gregory colbert, I saw the exhibition in NYC about 5 years ago, amazing!

By: katia roberts

katia roberts — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:40:58 +0000

jenny–

you might like gregory colbert’s “ashes and snow” work.

http://www.ashesandsnow.org/

By: mimi mollica

mimi mollica — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:35:08 +0000

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

By: jamesdodd

jamesdodd — Tue, 11 May 2010 09:57:16 +0000

@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.

By: jenny lynn walker

jenny lynn walker — Tue, 11 May 2010 07:01:34 +0000

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?

By: Brennan OConnor

Brennan OConnor — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:51:34 +0000

James I love the work! Keep it up. The essay has feeling and moves me. Thanks for sharing!!

By: Gordon Lafleur

Gordon Lafleur — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:42:07 +0000

Love the new edit.

By: jenny lynn walker

jenny lynn walker — Mon, 10 May 2010 02:02:13 +0000

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! : )

By: jenny lynn walker

jenny lynn walker — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:40:44 +0000

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! ; )

By: Windup

Windup — Sun, 09 May 2010 21:14:38 +0000

James. Could you possibly hook us up with wallpaper of number 1? This stuff is really wonderful. Congratulations.

By: nancyspadaro

nancyspadaro — Sun, 09 May 2010 17:24:08 +0000

the new edit really helps! the under water shots are the strongest!

By: mimi mollica

mimi mollica — Sun, 09 May 2010 12:19:57 +0000

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.

By: jenny lynn walker

jenny lynn walker — Sun, 09 May 2010 10:00:44 +0000

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.

By: Frostfrog

Frostfrog — Sat, 08 May 2010 19:05:23 +0000

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.

By: nweyland

nweyland — Sat, 08 May 2010 18:20:51 +0000

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.