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Olympic photographers like big butts (and they cannot lie)I can't believe I'm going to say this — it goes against almost everything that I hold dear — but, my friends, there comes a point when too much of a good thing becomes too much of a bad thing. So here it goes: Hey, Olympic photographers, stop taking pictures of women's butts.
Wow, that was a hard one to get out. I mean, who doesn't like a finely formed derrière? And before an angry mob of badonkadonk-loving gay women chase me down the street with torches for suggesting Olympians show a little less skin, let me explain. While perusing photos from the Olympics this week I got (inexplicably) distracted by the women's beach volleyball shots. Sand. Bikinis. Abs. Sweaty... I'm back, I'm back.
But the more I looked, the more I realized that while there were more than a dozen tightly-cropped, close-up shots of women players' backsides, there was nary a single similar shot of the male players. This is as close to as it came with the fellas.
How many corresponding backviews were there of the ladies? Five, naturally.
Now, put down your torches, I am not petitioning for more gratuitous male booty shots. Banish the thought. But, hello, sexism much? So then I got serious and went through pages (and pages and pages and pages — talk about your brutal research) of images on Getty to see the true extent of the disparity. Let me tell you, if a photo is worth a thousand words, you'd better find a comfortable chair because this post would be able to fill a complete set on encyclopedias.
Women were overwhelmingly more likely to be cropped so they were rendered faceless and in many cases totally headless. I've posted all these photos, un-manipulated (other than sizing) and framed as the photographer submitted them, to show how aesthetic dismemberment is commonplace when it comes to women.
But when looking for comparable headless shots of male players I came up with only three, yes, three: two of hands and one of feet.
The message these photos send is unmistakable. Men are the sum of their parts, women are just parts. Even the go-go dancing cheerleaders used during intermissions weren't spared the virtual fate of Marie Antoinette.
Look, maybe it was only the ass men who volunteered to shoot women's beach volleyball, which — now that I think about it — actually seems fairly likely. But the
I can't deny the fact that I've enjoyed (duh) all the pretty, pretty pictures. But shouldn't someone like a photo editor look at all these images and say, “Hey, dude, stop sending me all these butt shots.” Besides, women are always more beautiful when every last inch is appreciated, from the tippy top of her head to the tiniest tip of her toes.
Submitted by on August 14, 2008 - 3:00pm. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Butts in Volleyball
Ok showing off some assets and there's not ONE picture of Misty May and Kerri Walsh?! I'm upset! They have the best butts and are the BEST team in the world. So really...
-Rachel
http://groups.myspace.com/KisstheGirl07
Thank you.
sports in a bikini?
I always wondered why they didn't have real uniforms. It makes sense that the swimmers wear swimsuits, but I think it's really bad that those woman all wear nothing more than underwear. I mean a tanktop and hotpants would be appropriate, but the whole bikini thing bothers me. I hate that when it comes to the female athletes, there is always the aspect of how good they look or how sexy - that shouldn't matter, they are athletes for gods sake! what should matter is how fast they are or how many points they score. but I guess that's just another sign of how sexist our world is.
http://babydyke.blogspot.com/ - my take on all things lesbian
come on
who wants to be wearing hot pants and a tank top when its freaking hot when playing volley ball? not only that but the more clothes you have on the more you're gonna sweat. if they dont want to wear that uniform then they dont have to. they can say "no" and walk out. personally, i wouldnt wanna be all hot and sweaty having my shirt stick onto my back and pants on my butt. the less clothes you have on the warmer you are.
the guys dont want to play with tank tops on but they have to bear the countries name upon the chest. and besides, its only beach volley ball that they wear those outfits. they dont wear them when they play team volley ball.
RE: Sports in a Bikini
I agree. Did you notice that even the swimmers get more coverage than the women's beach volleyball players? They get one-pieces that cover from the neck down, some even with legs. It's not like beach volleyball players need to be aerodynamic; swimmers do and they get to wear even more clothing than those who don't. It's ridiculous. Not to mention that even if the women were wearing short shorts and tank tops, they'd still be sexy and attract lots of viewers (not that that's the point, being athletes competing with the best and all).
Great article.
well said!
Philosophically, yes, sexism much?
Personally, I don't really mind it. I appreciate butt shots and full body shots just the same.
About the uniform
I think it steams from the origin of the sport..the Beach. Swimsuits are the normal attire(but a one piece should be possible if one wants)
Now outside of the Olympics...men RARELY wear shirts in beach volleyball..and I have seen my fair share of one piece suits on the women(including white...not a good idea when sweating and rolling in sand)
I am guessing the Olympics are requiring the men to wear the tanks as a uniform...my guess is if they had a choice they wouldn't. They would just use body paint and fake tats to add the numbers and sponsors.
Photoshop
yesyesyes
Yes! Snarker, you hit that one dead on. I was just reading the comments at Feministing comments at Feministing re: sexualization of women athletes, and was feeling like quite the guilty party with my constant Dara Torres/Natasha Kai oogling (thanks to your blog on the latter!), but this post points out how be respectful-- admiring women, but not being an ass and liking women only for their, well, asses.
I saw an interview with a female beach v-baller, and she was saying that the barely-there get-ups are so that sand doesn't get trapped in the fabric. Mmhmm, okay. But why are the men still plodding around in cargo shorts then, not in little speedos? Hey, if they really wanted to speed up... not that I'm endorsing that, but maybe then the claim might hold a little more water.
http://showmeyourwits.wordpress.com/
honestly folks
If the uniforms bring in audiences, I say let it be. Look at what the Olympic committe has done to Softball, this is the last year it will be an Olympic sport which crushes the dreams of countless young women; all because it wasn't a huge turnout for the games.
I understand that the unifroms for beach volleyball can be seen as degrading, but beach attire for women is a bikini, especially when you have an amazing body, you want to show it off (Kerri Walsh exhibit A).
Actually
there has not been a given reason for the omission of Softball..only speculation ranging from what you said to the US dominates or there are not enough countries involved..ALL of which are LAME is any are true. There are so many event that can fall under every one of those reasons...But the IOC not giving one ..to me..says they don't have one..they just did it.
There is a group fighting to get softball back in the 2016 games. If you want to lend your support check them out.
Back Softball
Lets hope it can be brought back! It deserves to be there!
Fantastic post
Thank you for the 'exposition' (da-dum, chshch).
I wish there was some way of getting through to those folks that for a lot of people, this is not okay.
True dat.
I was a little peeved that the guys weren't shirtless. Just saying.
Anywas. This Olympics post needs more fierce Alicia.
-----
Huh?
Alicia...
No such thing as too much Alicia.
I loved watching the women's gymnastics portion for her, Shawn, and Nastia.
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Huh?
asdkjagsdklasjgdlaskjga
ohhh thank you for that. i've been posting alicia stuff all over the site... oh man i am crushing HARD. and ever since the team finals, i've been loving her more. she did NOT cost us the gold, and anyone who thinks so is not only an ass, but fails at math.
ALICIA SACRAMONE FTW.
HALE YES!
I felt SO bad for her when she fell during the floor routine and then afterwards, Marta just like snubbed her. That was harsh. And the stupid cameras kept zooming in on her face when she looked like she was going to cry. omg.
(also, for anyone that was paying attention to the girls, does it seem like Nastia and Bridget hate each other? haha. I dunno. It was awkward watching them interact. Nastia is so fierce. Love her.)-----
Huh?
mad respect
I have the utmost respect for Alicia. When the cameras were being shoved in her face right after she fell on her floor exercise, she didn't say anything, didn't push them out of her face. She just stood there. And when everything was said and done and so many people were complaining about the age of some of the Chinese athletes, alicia NEVER said anything, and took full blame for the US losing the gold (even though it WASN'T her fault). That, in my opinion, is the mark of a true champion. She is unfairly taking the weight of the world on her shoulders, and isn't complaining. I think that makes me love her more.
btdubs, i totally appreciate your love for alicia as well. and i LOVE LOVE LOVE shawn and nastia. shawn is just about the cutest thing i've ever seen.
and i didn't notice the tension between nastia and bridget 'cause i was too busy oogling alicia (ahah, i'm such a pervert). maybe they just aren't as close to one another. i can't wait for tonight... i hope we go one and two in the all around, shawn and nastia. GOOO USA!
agreed x100
I hate that people are blaming Alicia for us losing the gold even though China would have beat us anyways. She got like 1.8 off for her falls and steps. China beat us by 2.375. Go figure. But yeah, Alicia's a freaking champ for how she took it all in stride. Much love for her. <3
By the time you see this reply you'd probs have already seen the all around so YAYYY NASTIA AND SHAWN! ONE AND TWO FTW. Seriously. This calls for some major pic spamming. :D
Shawn is so freaking adorable. How is she that cute?!
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Huh?
vault finals...
Hopefully she can do well in the vault finals and medal, it would be great to see her shine...
I kinda noticed a little tension between Nastia and Bridget too! Haha. But maybe it was just how focused Nastia always is and came off like that...Alicia's my fav, but Nastia is a close second! ha
I'm so excited! I'm so excited! I'm so... scared!
Alicia's probably really going to push herself because she looked insanely pissed off when she messed up her floor routine. So I guess we can count on her getting a gold on vaults.
Apparently there's a ton of drama between some of the teammates haha. It's funny to see Nastia and Bridget interact. Nastia's got that permanent bitchface which is awesome. She's so ferosh, you gotta love it. Though seeing her smile when she got the gold was just as good. :D
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Huh?
I'm excited too!!
I'm nervous to watch, I think vault finals are on Sunday. And I saw that pissed off face too! She's gonna go out there and rock it, in my opinion ha
I stayed up late last night to watch the all-around final but it was so worth it! It was great to see Nastia take the gold! You could tell Shawn was crushed but Nastia definitely deserved it...It was good to see emotion from her and see her personality a bit as opposed to her bitchface...shes so cute!
Woot!
I felt so bad for Shawn! There was so much pressure for her to take the gold, and like, everyone kept saying she's the next Mary Lou.
And yeah, Nastia was so cute when she was all happy and smiling. I loved that she immediately calls her mom haha. "OH HAY MOM, I GOT A GOLD. JUST SO YOU KNOW."
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Huh?
vault
well, with alicia it's either she misses (like her floor routine at team finals) or she's a total knockout (like her vault at team finals). when she's locked in and doesn't make mistakes, she's flawless and almost unbeatable. i hope she gets the gold in vault, but it'll be pretty difficult since shawn's in the vault finals as well and we all know the kind of vault she does. but she's been having issues with her landing and hopefully alicia can capitalize.
hopefully, this will happen (in terms of golds:
vaults: alicia
floor: shawn
beam: shawn or nastia, doesn't really matter
high bar: who else??? nastia, of course.
that way, shawn walks away with her gold medal(s) and so does alicia. OR, an even better scenario:
alicia comes back to the US where she comes to nyc and we get gay married.
you are officially the coolest person and i am friend requesting you RIGHT. NOW.
PILLS? YOU MEAN YOU REALLY ARE TAKING DRUGS?!
Yeah, Alicia's pretty much a hit or miss kind of gal. It makes it so much more nervewracking to watch. And I am so with you on your predictions. Though floor is a toss up between Shawn and Nastia I think. Nastia was pretty fierce last night and is definitely making Shawn work for it. I hope Shawn gets it though, she's just so freaking adorable.
"alicia comes back to the US where she comes to nyc and we get gay married."
Ahahaha. I lol'd irl.
AND DUDE. You got the Saved by the Bell reference! +9000 cool points for you! Let us ~frolic~!
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Huh?
I NEED THEM! I NEED THEM TO SING!
i think that's what makes it so exciting... you never know how alicia's gonna be. I just hope she gets the gold so i can finally see her smile at these games. and now that Nastia's won gold and shawn will probably win a gold too, i hope alicia will feel less bad about team finals. i heard that someone pointed out that she really didn't cost us the gold, and i really hope that helps her.
i'm watching NBC's recoverage of the all around, and they're interviewing shawn and nastia, and shawn's legs don't even reach the floor when she sits on the couch. so. freaking. cute.
ps- i'm all for frolicing!!!
Tonight!
The vault finals are tonight, I'm definitely going to have a late night and hopefully get to see Alicia smile like you said! I dont have a preference between Shawn and Nastia on floor, I like them both, it would be nice to see Shawn capture gold. I hope Nastia wins uneven bars so she and her dad will both have two golds.
I saw that Shawn didnt reach the floor either!!! I cant believe shes only 4'9''! Very cute, I agree.
JESSIE! YOU CAN'T SING!
Ok wow. I just saw the vault and floor finals. UGHHHHHH.
*spoilers in case you haven't watched yet*
WTF JUDGES, WTF. Cheng Fei freaking FALLS and still gets bronze?! GAH. Poor Alicia. :[ My heart breaks for her all over again. omg. Robbed I tells ya! EVEN BELA KNOWS IT.
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Huh?
Interesting
The Brazillian butt shots are my favorite.
Er- I mean bad sexist photographers! I get the complaint in the article, if there are going to be numerous butt shots at least balance them out with with face shots or full body shots. Women should certainly not be treated as faceless bodyparts. The thing that bothers me the most is the huge disparity between the male and female uniforms. Having never payed attention to the male volleyball side I always assumed they wore the dinky speedos like the swimmers. If women are scantily clad, and trust me I'm not complaining, then the men ought to be too. Our straight/bi female and gay male friends will surely appreciate it and it will make the whole thing a lot more even.
yeah... the brazilian butts
yeah... the brazilian butts are my favorite 2 :P
and that has nothing to do with the fact that I'm brazilian and that I'm slightly obsessed with beach volleyball (just the woman's... don't quite know why) - and slightly obsessed with one of the players: Larissa
lol
www.myspace.com/carolconti
I second that!
Brazilian butts are just amazing.
OMG. I just realize that is another brazilian named Carol around here! ;)
But I have to say that I have a real crush on Ana Paula. Can't explain...
Bibiana Candelas
I don't think the uniforms are optional
I love the sport and the bikini is probably the appropriate attire. I was all for it and have truly enjoyed of course.... except that I understand that it's imposed and many of the athletes would prefer to dress more conservatively and wear a one-piece or shorts.
Your research must have been brutal ;)
But why not?
Perhaps it's because I am mostly a swimmer but I don't understand why there is a uniform for the sport. If a team wanted to wear a one-piece, why is anyone stopping them? It seems like all that is necessary is that they have their numbers or whatever - and come on, really, is it that necessary, it's not like it's difficult for the judges to tell which team is which!!
The photography sexism is really striking though, and actually a completely separate issue that I hadn't noticed, so thanks for pointing it out!
I may be wrong
You're right...
There is actually a rule (I think it's set by the beach volley ball federation) that the women must wear bikinis and that the material on the bottom piece can't be wider than five inches. (Put a ruler against your backside - that isn't very wide!) They actually do specify the measurements. You might notice that al the women on all the teams are wearing the same cut. (I've made a bit of a study of it...) And it's all about using sex to sell the sport. My understanding is that some of the athletes object. But others like them. Natalie Cook (who others have said on this site is gay) mentioned the uniforms in passing in an interview I saw the other day and she essentialy said "Just wait until you see them - they're sensational". So I guess there's a variety of views.
I don't like sexism and I'm sick of inapproriate sexualisation of athletes by male commentators (one on Australian tv was referring to an approximately 15 year old female swimmer in completely sexual terms this week, which was just gross), but I can't deny I quietly enjoy the eye candy in the beach volleyball too...
Not Only But Also
Eugh.
Lets face it though,
Uniforms
Good call on the uniforms
Hey buster47, great call on the Australian woman's uniforms! I didn't even notice that they were totally about to slip off. (no seriously, I'm not really a butt person so I'm pretty oblivious :p) I hope she pulled up her bottoms to avoid embarassment!
Trust Photographers to shoot that photo though...
I'd like to have it that
I'd like to have it that simple way: We all can watch beachvolleyball and enjoy the exciting games at the olympics - no matter what nation plays, no matter if it's the final or a game of a group phase...and no matter which photos we like best: the ones with the butts, the large "full-women" pictures or the ones, where the girls are jumping to get the ball. It is all the same as long as we watch it live. Everyone can look at the parts they like, and it would bother nobody. But as long as someone gets to decide, at which part everyone has to look automatically, there has to be anything esle than these short panties. I find taht very distracting. If I were one of the girls, I would definately revolute against this rule of clothing. That is far to racist.
So I would prefer pictures like this nice one:
Or, we decide to swing over to:
smaller than usual...
Brava!
I'm impressed! I blog on sports at Gay.com and I saw these photos, but passed on using them because I thought our readers might slam me on the feminist side. I was wrong, and I'm glad you did this story!
Them Brazilian women
got some nice booty.
It would appear that you can be either gay or straight and appreciate a nice butt. Being a butt woman myself, I cannot say I blame the photogs one bit. Nope, not a bit.
some research...
how on earth can the aussie team players keep those panties on, they're awfully tiny!
well, since i've been exploiting the sport myself for the sake of watching scantily-clad women roll and jump around flexing their perfect abs, thighs, bottoms...oh sorry, um, where was i going with this?
oh yeah, bad bad photographers!
Beach Volley Balls
Sexism
I agree that some female
I agree that some female athletes might not be comfortable wearing them, especially the ones that are a little more endowed in the lower area.
I mean, just watching Walsh/May play, i notice that Misty tugs out the "wedgie" a lot more than Kerri does. She also has a larger tush =)
I agree, I have NO problem with the uniforms =) If they want to keep their outfits form fitting, that's fine. But boot-shorts can do that too. And your right, if that's the reason for women, why not men? Why aren't they topless, with form-fitting boxer briefs? I'm not personally interested, but I can't say that I don't like viewing all athletes bodies in general. I'm pretty universial when it comes to abs, even on a testosterone-driven body =)
sexist TV coverage, too
They did