Behind the Scenes

If you’ve been reading my articles over the last few months, you’ll notice a trend: these days I’ve been dealing a lot more with what goes on behind the stage, not just in front of it. So, if you look at our cover this month, you’ll see a shot of IFBB Pros Mindi O’Brien and Troy Alves, which I took backstage at the IFBB Europa Show of Champions in May. And if you pick up the latest issue of MuscleMag (July 2009, the one with David Henry on the cover), you’ll find in it two pages of photos that I took backstage at the Arnold Classic in March.

This new focus on backstage and behind-the-scenes photography was inspired by speaking to a photographer at an event last year. I was asking him where he was sitting in the media row and he responded with something I didn’t expect. He said: "I don’t want to sit and take pictures from where everyone else does. I’d rather go elsewhere get the shots no one else has." His comment made me stop and think – but not for long.

If you look at the contest shots in on bodybuilding sites like Flexonline.com and MuscularDevelopment.com, you’ll find very similar pictures because they’re all basically taking from the same position in front of the stage by equally skilled photographers. They’re not unique and, as a result, they’re not really inspiring or interesting. It’s the kind of thing that everyone sees and every photographer can capture.

On the other hand, what happens away from the stage is usually far more compelling and much more difficult to find. For instance, I never tire of those images from the ‘70s that photographers like George Butler and Artie Zeller took were popular back then and are constantly getting re-published in the magazines today. Many of them are candid shots of guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Frank Zane, Franco Columbo, and the others who competed during bodybuilding’s Golden Age. Many of the photos were taken at gyms, while others were taken backstage at events. What these photographers captured was not just rare, but special, giving you a glimpse into a world few get to actually see. Those photos also captured history, which is precisely why they’re still popular today and the magazines keep on using them. However, not enough people are taking those candid behind-the-scenes shots today. Or, if they are, then the magazines just aren’t publishing enough of them.

Ever since that photographer opened my eyes last year, I’ve been dividing my time in front of the stage and behind it so I can get those unique images others don’t, a strategy that’s been paying off. As I said, MuscleMag published two pages of shots from the Arnold Classic. If you look at the last few issues of Inside Fitness, a Canadian-based magazine that I contribute to regularly, you’ll find many behind-the-scenes shots accompanying the articles I write. The feedback that I’ve received from people about this has been great so, obviously, I’ll be doing more of it from hereon in. What I hope is that the magazines will continue to publish more. In my opinion they should, because that’s what will make them unique.

There’s one other benefit to this new behind-the-scenes of approach of mine: relief from boredom. Frankly, those regular ol’ stage shots aren't only boring to look at, they're boring to take. But this behind-the-scenes candid stuff is actually exciting – it’s like "hunting" for the best shots. So, look for more of this kind of coverage in the magazines I contribute to and, as well, here on SeriousAboutMuscle.com. In the meantime, enjoy this photo from backstage at the 2009 Arnold Classic.

Backstage at the 2009 Arnold Classic. From left to right: Johnnie Jackson, Toney Freeman, Ronnie Rockell and Ahmad Haidar.

...Doug Schneider, Publisher
das@seriousaboutmuscle.com

Doug Schneider is the publisher and chief photographer for SeriousAboutMuscle.com, BodyBuildingLive.com, and SeriousAboutFitness.com.