Different Views of the Winter Olympics
The Atlantic
February 22, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 Winter Olympics have been captured through a unique lens, blending creativity and technology to offer fresh perspectives on the world of sports. Photographers employed a variety of innovative techniques, including infrared imaging with in-camera filters, digital composites, vintage cameras adapted for modern use, optical filters, and drone imagery. These approaches transformed traditional sports photography into an art form, emphasizing both athleticism and visual storytelling.
One notable example is the use of infrared cameras to capture athletes in motion, such as Yuanmeng Chu of Team China during a biathlon event and Stefan Babinsky of Team Austria in Alpine skiing. The integration of vintage cameras from past Olympic eras, like the 1956 Cortina Games, added a historical touch, with images being adapted for live transmission via smartphones. This blend of old and new highlighted the evolution of sports photography, offering fans a fresh perspective on familiar events.
The creative techniques also extended to unusual angles and unexpected subjects, such as drone shots capturing the natural beauty of competition venues and filtered infrared images that revealed athletes' movements in ways not typically seen. These methods not only enhanced visual appeal but also provided deeper insights into the dynamics of sports performance.
From a political perspective, this shift in visual storytelling reflects how nations and organizations are increasingly leveraging technology to showcase their cultural heritage and innovation
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/22/2026