One Extraordinary (Olympic) Photo: Francisco Seco captures unusual image at rhythmic gymnastics

By: Francisco Seco, The Associated Press Posted: 5:12 AM CDT Friday, Aug. 9, 2024

PARIS (AP) — Francisco Seco takes a closer look at his photo of Bulgarian Stiliana Nikolova performing in the rhythmic gymnastics competition:

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PARIS (AP) — Francisco Seco takes a closer look at his photo of Bulgarian Stiliana Nikolova performing in the rhythmic gymnastics competition:

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/08/2024 (754 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PARIS (AP) — Francisco Seco takes a closer look at his photo of Bulgarian Stiliana Nikolova performing in the rhythmic gymnastics competition:

Why this photo?

This is a sports photo that I’ve always wanted to take. I was lucky and the athlete made the jump right in front of me. Instead of picking up the ball, she hit it with her chest and — BOOM! — there is the photo.

Stiliana Nikolova, of Bulgaria performs in the rhythmic gymnastics individuals all-round qualification round, at La Chapelle Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

How I made this photo

I was in a low position near the exercise area. I was using a 70-200mm lens because it’s my first time photographing rhythmic gymnastics and I wanted to secure some photos. After a while I took a chance with the 300mm to be able to close the action more.

Why this photo works

The action of Nikolova’s jump in the air, her body suspended, the head hidden behind the body, the ball right in the center… I think it all makes for a bit of a creepy photo. But, with the cross shape of the body and arms… it’s good and it’s a photo you can look at for a while.

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For more extraordinary AP photography, click here. For AP’s full coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, click here.