Although Leni Riefenstahl's documentary film about the 1936 Berlin Olympics, called “Olympia,” has become an acknowledged classic, her book of photographs, “Schönheit im Olympischen Kampf” (Beauty in the Olympic Games), is less known but no less spectacular. Sometimes Riefenstahl relied on poses modeled on the antique Greek ideal… But far more original were her depictions of superbly athletic bodies soaring gracefully through the air and knifing effortlessly through the water. Riefenstahl applied certain devices characteristic of the new German photography – strong diagonals, tight croppings, and bird's-eye and worm's-eye views. No longer was the camera an earthbound witness; it took to the air and the water with the athletes. (Source: William A. Ewing, “The Body”). Riefenstahl’s film “Olympia” documenting the 1936 Summer Olympics may be viewed on youtube: Olympia Part 1: Festival of Nations www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLnGqMoNXRI Olympia Part 2: Festival of Beauty www.youtube.com/watch?v=usTPricF8qo