My Favorite Cover

The New York Times Magazine, November 24, The Flight Risk

Photographer: Martin Schoeller
Designer: Arem Duplessis
"For this cover story on the U.S. women’s ski-jumping team, we featured the Olympic hopeful Sarah Hendrickson as photographed by Martin Schoeller. Schoeller captures the competitive spirit of Hendrickson, who wears her competition gear, in her body posture and intense gaze."

This was my favorite magazine cover portrait for several reasons. The first is that I love the color palette the photographer used. The red of her suit contrasts with the blue of her goggles, and both colors pop against the grey background. The second reason I like this photo is that the exposure and lighting are perfect. The lighting is subtle, but highlights the subject and the image is lit very well. The last and most important reason I like this image is because of the subject's expression. As it says in the caption, this woman is trying out for the olympics. The photographer captured the intensity and competitiveness of her character very clearly by capturing her "game face" and her athletic and ready-to-go posture.