cover image SPORTING LIFE: The Journals of Walter Iooss

SPORTING LIFE: The Journals of Walter Iooss

Walter Iooss, Jr.. Graphis, $35 (176pp) ISBN 978-1-932026-00-9

Iooss has shot more than 300 covers for Sports Illustrated, and his access to sports stars—not to mention Tyra Banks and dozens of other swimsuit models—would make any fan salivate. Since 1981 he has kept a diary, initially Polaroids of a day's work. This volume offers collages mixing his professional work with occasional shots of family or exotic locales, lots of mostly humorous headlines clipped from newspapers around the world, and a quick note about the subject or his travel plans. Iooss's specialty is the portrait rather than the mid-game action shot, and his talent is clear as his camera zooms in close with such sports greats as Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods, Martina Hingis and Johnny Unitas. Just as engaging are more candid shots of children kickboxing in Thailand and playing baseball in Cuba. And the juxtapositions and interactions of individual images bring a whole new vitality to the work. These pages of artfully composed photo diaries should find a wide appeal, not only among SI's subscribers but also with those less familiar with Iooss's work. (Nov.)