BASEBALL
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Vida Blue, 1971
Vida Blue, 1971
Close Close Read MoreThe following excerpt is from Masters of Contemporary Photography Zimmerman & Kauffman Photographing Sports.
When Life Magazine wanted a picture story on Oakland pitcher Vida Blue, who was then having a hot year because of his fierce fastball, Zimmerman got an idea and began tinkering with his 35mm Hulcher again. He removed portions of his circular shutter to allow two separate exposures on a single frame of film. One opening was narrow (1/1500 second) and the other wider (1/15 second). As the shutter revolved, each frame recorded a short exposure and a longer, superimposed one. The picture which was actually made during a game, caught Blue’s rhythm while simultaneously freezing his motion. It captures his flawless form while showing his astonishing speed.
There were two special requirements for the picture. Zimmerman used a neutral density filter on the 1/15 opening to keep its exposure consistent with that of the smaller, 1/15000 second opening, and he went to a ballpark where he could count on a dark background caused by an overhanging roof. The Vida Blue picture has a reportorial quality to it, but Zimmerman often elects to have his technology replace reality with an expressionist statement.
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Yogi Berra, 1959
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Mantle & McDougal, 1957
Mantle & McDougal, 1957
Close CloseMickey Mantle and Gil McDougal, Spring Training, 1957
In the 1950′s and 60′s one of the most anticipated yearly issues of Sports illustrated was the Baseball Spring Training issue. Given behind the scenes access to the fields and locker rooms John Zimmerman would capture intimate scenes and portraits of the iconic players of the day.
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Mickey Mantle, 1962
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Pee Wee Reese, 1956
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Hank Aaron, 1957
