Sports Illustrated: Athlete

Famed sports photographer Iooss’s talent is unmistakable, but this rather unorganized collection of more than 150 of his greatest shots does him a disservice. A brief introduction by Michael Jordan, a frequent Iooss subject, adds little to the subsequent images, which range from Jordan and his fellow Bulls alum Scottie Pippen to a group of boys playing baseball on a Havana street corner. Sprinkled throughout is commentary by Iooss on particular shots, including a pair of portraits featuring surfing greats Laird Hamilton and Kelly Slater, and several midair shots of Jordan and his trademark slam dunk. For readers unfamiliar with each famous face in sports history, the lack of titles will be irritating, and the index only adds to the confusion. The collection is arranged neither chronologically nor by sport, making it difficult to come away with an idea of Iooss’s evolution as a photographer during his almost 50 years behind the camera. Iooss captured some of the greatest moments on and off fields, courts and rinks, but this portfolio doesn’t do him justice. (May)