Vintage Photography Meets Modern Technology at the 2026 Winter Olympics
In a unique fusion of past and present, a team of Getty Images photographers is capturing the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics using vintage Graflex cameras from the 1950s. This creative project pays homage to the 1956 Winter Games, which were previously hosted in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The photographers have ingeniously adapted these classic cameras to record images directly onto smartphones, enabling real-time transmission of the content to global audiences.
A Nostalgic Tribute to Olympic History
The initiative serves as a nostalgic tribute to the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympics, blending historical aesthetics with cutting-edge digital capabilities. By employing cameras that were contemporary during the original Cortina Games, the photographers are creating a visual bridge between the two events, highlighting the enduring spirit of the Olympics while showcasing technological advancements.
Capturing Diverse Winter Sports Moments
The vintage cameras have been used to document a wide array of events across the Milano Cortina Games. Key moments include:
- Men's Slopestyle Final: An Austrian freeskier competing at Livigno Air Park, captured in the first run of the final.
- Speed Skating: Fans watching the men's 5,000m event in Milan, which is hosting several ice competitions.
- Alpine Skiing: A panoramic view of the downhill finish area at the Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre in Bormio, near the Swiss border.
- Snowboarding: Athletes in a Parallel Giant Slalom qualifier at Livigno Snow Park, with the Big Air ramp visible in the background.
- Ice Hockey: France's goaltender Alice Philbert during a women's group game against Germany at the Rho Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, which Germany won 2-1.
- Luge: Men's doubles competitors taking a training run at the Cortina Sliding Centre, also used for bobsleigh and skeleton events.
- Ice Dance: The medal ceremony at Milan's Ice Skating Arena, where French duo Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron won gold, with US pair Madison Chock and Evan Bates taking silver and Canada's Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier earning bronze.
- Bobsleigh: Israel's two-man bobsleigh, piloted by Adam Edelman, during a training run in Cortina, observed by a security guard.
- Alpine Skiing Super-G: A long-range shot of an athlete arriving at the finish area during the women's super-G at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in the Cortina cluster.
- Downhill Skiing: Fans cheering during the men's team combined downhill event.
- Cross-Country Skiing: Finland's Johanna Matintalo, Kerttu Niskanen, Vilma Ryytty, and Jasmi Joensuu celebrating their bronze medal in the women's 4 x 7.5km relay.
- Ski Jumping: An athlete launching off the ramp during the women's large hill individual trial round in Predazzo.
- Ice Hockey Semi-Final: Sweden's Felizia Wikner-Zienkiewicz passing the puck in the women's semi-final against the USA at Milan's Santagiulia Arena, where the US team won 5-0 to advance to the final against Canada.
- Speed Skating Fan: A Dutch fan watching the men's 5000m event, noting the Netherlands' performance with two speed skating golds so far, compared to six at Beijing 2022, plus four short-track golds.
Technological Innovation in Sports Photography
The adaptation of vintage Graflex cameras to work with smartphones represents a significant innovation in sports photography. This modern twist allows for the authentic, grainy aesthetic of 1950s film to be combined with the immediacy of digital media. The live transmission capability ensures that these nostalgic images can be shared globally in real-time, enhancing the viewer experience by adding a historical dimension to contemporary events.
Celebrating Olympic Heritage and Future
This photographic project not only documents the athletic achievements of the 2026 Winter Olympics but also celebrates the rich heritage of the Games. By revisiting the technology of 1956, it underscores how far the Olympics have come while reminding us of the timeless values of competition and camaraderie. The blend of old and new serves as a metaphor for the Olympics themselves, which continually evolve while honoring their past.
The images captured through this initiative provide a unique visual narrative of the Milano Cortina Games, offering fans a glimpse into the past through the lens of the present. As the Olympics continue to inspire generations, such creative endeavors highlight the enduring appeal of combining tradition with innovation in the world of sports.
