p.1 #1 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
Hats off (and shorts on) to the Norwegian women's beach volleyball team for taking to the beach in standard lengths shorts -- rather than bikinis.. and paying a fine for doing so.
"As per reports, the Norwegian Volleyball contingent approached the European Handball Federation for permission to play their games in shorts instead of bikini bottoms which they felt were overly sexualized. The federation though declined to entertain their request and said that fines would be levied for the same. The team though went ahead and played wearing shorts instead."
I'm not a prude -- but I agree with and support the Norwegian team on this. As a photographer, I find it uncomfortable photographing sports where the uniforms are -- well, barely uniforms at all. It's kinda creepy. If skimpy uniforms are a driver of interest in your sport, I think your sport has some soul-searching to do.
p.1 #2 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
YES! It's terrible decency incurs a fine. If anything the shorts may slow them down some, so there's no real benefit (like performance enhancing drugs) to wearing them over bikinis.
I'm always very cognizant in swimming or wrestling, especially photographing kids, to make sure there's nothing that could be considered "revealing," even in texture...I'd hate to even have any insinuation any lack of professionalism in my photos.
p.1 #3 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
The "Better Safe Than Sorry Policy" is really the ONLY policy in these matters.
As Warren Buffet says, it takes decades to build a reputation -- and seconds to lose it .... even inadvertently (the last part is my add, not Warren)
I've made one slip that I can remember that embarrassed an athlete and it still bothers me to this day ... I was covering a baseball tournament and one of the players -- let's just say didn't quite make it to the urinal in time. Hey, it happens. This noticeably changed the color of his white baseball pants.
That's just not something you are looking for when you are editing pictures. His parents sent me a very nice note asking me if I would kindly delete the pictures, which of course I did. Immediately.
I felt awful and I still do, as I type this ten years later.
p.1 #4 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
PureMichigan wrote:
I've made one slip that I can remember that embarrassed an athlete and it still bothers me to this day ... I was covering a baseball tournament and one of the players -- let's just say didn't quite make it to the urinal in time. Hey, it happens. This noticeably changed the color of his white baseball pants.
That's just not something you are looking for when you are editing pictures. His parents sent me a very nice note asking me if I would kindly delete the pictures, which of course I did. Immediately.
I felt awful and I still do, as I type this ten years later.
Last year I had several pics of a 8U baseball player who had the same issue. Ended up spending a lot of time on PS to lighten the color of the gray pants in the groin area. Worked ok and I posted the edited pics with all the others, but it definitely took some time!
On another note relevant to the OP, I played D1 volleyball in the late '70's and early '80's. For a few years we wore the "bun huggers" and we all hated them! It was a relief to have new uniforms with more comfortable/less revealing shorts the next year!!
p.1 #6 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
Part of my required job responsibilities are to cover ladies' volleyball, cheer, gymnastics, swimming, figure skating and track and field...all sports with similar uniforms or lack there of.
If the competitors decide to wear the uniform required by the team or competition, it's up to me to photograph them as modestly as possible.
p.1 #7 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
My niece used to play beach volley ball and even as a young teen they wore very skimpy bikinis. I applaud the Norwegian team, hopefully that becomes a trend, because the young girls follow what they see the pros do.
I started shooting dance for the studio my daughter attends and I am very cautious about what photos get posted, even though the studio says not to worry, it’s dance. As a male, we can’t be too careful about what others think.
p.1 #8 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
I saw two news items today - one about this issue and another that was truly the opposite.
On the same day I saw that the Norwegian team were fined for wearing less than revealing clothing in competition, a young lady who competes in the Paralympics was told by an English official at a world championship competition that the bathing suit bottom she wore in her races was inappropriate and that she has to wear more modest clothing. The accompanying photo showed her at the race, and the choice of clothing could not be classified as revealing at all. More significant, the young lady is a meaningful contender for the world title in her sport, and has been wearing bathing suit bottoms provided by a sponsor for nine years.
We seem to live in a time where a great many people feel it is their place to judge others and decided how others should be allowed to dress and how to behave.
p.1 #9 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
Volleyball is my life. I am an "over the hill" male that still plays indoor and beach volleyball, and I have watched thousands of matches, both men and women, and photographed (as an amateur photographer) hundreds. My view is that if the players are comfortable with what they are wearing, there is no reason not to photograph them (youth volleyball, like any youth sport does require special care). At the same time, that is no excuse for posting/publishing embarrassing photos (I've seen a few "wardrobe malfunctions" over the years).
I do think the uniform "rules" in volleyball are silly. Back in the day, it looked like most of the athletes were somewhat uncomfortable with the old "bun huggers". The "less revealing" bottoms they wear these days seem to be less of an issue, but I still see even some college women athletes tugging at them, which I'm guessing means they are still uncomfortable with them. At the same time I see middle school, high school and college girls playing/practicing beach volleyball (where there aren't any uniform rules) in everything from full length leggings to very skimpy bikinis, so I assume some of them are comfortable with the revealing attire.
One more anecdote. I remember 15 or 20 years ago, when really long shorts were particularly fashionable for men, the FIVB announced a maximum inseam length for the men's shorts in international indoor volleyball. The rumor going around was that the president of the FIVB imposed the rule because his wife wanted to see more skin.
I also support the Norwegian team, and think that the federations should limit themselves to requirements like matching uniforms and minimum size of numbers, rather than the style of apparel. At the same time, we have to recognize that one of the reasons that volleyball, and beach volleyball in particular, is one of the most watched Olympic sports, is because there are many people that enjoy seeing athletic bodies in skimpy apparel. That is unfortunate, because the game of volleyball is amazing no matter what the athletes are wearing.
p.1 #10 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
I think we all strive to do the right thing and not embarrass the athlete and operate within the bounds of good taste. Good people can disagree on standards. But I support those athletes who do not want "overly sexualize" (their words above) their sport for ratings and public interest.
p.1 #11 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
PureMichigan wrote:
I think we all strive to do the right thing and not embarrass the athlete and operate within the bounds of good taste. Good people can disagree on standards. But I support those athletes who do not want "overly sexualize" (their words above) their sport for ratings and public interest.
Thanks for starting this topic, and I appreciate the various viewpoints.
I too have played, coached and photographed volleyball both indoors and on the beach. I do cull my pictures before posting or sharing with the players, and in many cases, their parents. Similar to others, I do not wish to embarrass or appear "creepy" with my shots.
Another action I take before photographing any amateur sport, is to contact the coach or manager of the event, give my name, contact information, and other credentials so they can be assured I can be contacted if any questions arise to my intent.
Most volleyball prefers to play in the uniforms they use, because it suits them best.
It is a widespread misunderstanding that players are forced to play in bikinis or tight clothing.
This specific post is caused by an article, where the journalist didn't know the difference between handball and volleyball (there has been a lot of controversy regarding rules in beach-handball, but this is another story).
Most volleyball prefers to play in the uniforms they use, because it suits them best.
It is a widespread misunderstanding that players are forced to play in bikinis or tight clothing.
This specific post is caused by an article, where the journalist didn't know the difference between handball and volleyball (there has been a lot of controversy regarding rules in beach-handball, but this is another story).
I'm sure different federations or local leagues might have different rules or even their own guidelines but certainly there are RULES at some levels. Assuming my link above works those are the rules(not the guidelines) for the Rio Games. Yes there is leeway but once the uniform has been submitted it looks like the team is pretty married to that design within those guidlines offered. Should there be more offerings, probably but in the middle of the competiontion is certainly not the place to bring it up other than as a protest strategy but may be against the rules. Think John Carlos and Tommie Smith
I've played many years of rec VB and nobody cared what you played in.
I'll let each sport sort itself out. BUT I would eagerly support any team etc. that feels there needs to be a rule change to keep from sexualizing their sport. Players should have a say in uniform, safety and especially personal appearance rules.
John
p.1 #14 · Norwegian Volleyball Team Fined for Wearing Shorts rather than Bikinis
As someone who has both photographed and played the sport of volleyball, it is much more comfortable for both parties when athletes are allowed room to compete in what makes them feel most comfortable. Especially at a middle/high school level.
