The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, are offering a unique visual experience for viewers, with photographers employing innovative techniques to capture the athleticism and drama of the games. From traditional action shots to infrared imagery and digital composites, the photographic coverage is expanding beyond conventional perspectives, providing a fresh look at the competition.
The games, running from February 6 to February 22, 2026, are showcasing a variety of photographic approaches. Getty Images staff photographer Julian Finney is among those documenting the events, capturing nighttime alpine ski runs illuminated by floodlights at the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo. This venue, a long-standing fixture in the alpine skiing world, has been praised by skiers and former legends for its beauty and challenging conditions, as reported by Olympics.com here.
Innovative Techniques on Display
Photographers are not limiting themselves to standard techniques. Several images released showcase the leverage of infrared cameras combined with in-camera filters. This approach was used to photograph Yuanmeng Chu of Team China during the women’s 15km individual biathlon at Anterselva Biathlon Arena on February 11, 2026, and Pauline Ballet captured a short-track speed-skating men’s 500m semifinal race on February 18, 2026, in Milan using the same method. Stefan Babinsky of Team Austria was also photographed with an infrared camera during the men’s team combined downhill on February 3, 2026, at the Stelvio Alpine Skiing Center. Similarly, Connor Curran of Team USA was captured in filtered infrared during the men’s aerials final at Livigno Snow Park on February 20, 2026, and Team Switzerland during four-man bobsleigh training on February 19, 2026, at Cortina Sliding Center.
Beyond infrared, digital composite images are also being utilized. Hector Vivas created a composite image of the women’s snowboard halfpipe final on February 12, 2026, at Livigno Snow Park, combining multiple runs into a single striking visual. Another digital composite view depicts the women’s freestyle slopestyle qualification at the same location on February 7, 2026. These techniques allow photographers to present a more comprehensive view of dynamic events.
Venue Focus: Cortina d’Ampezzo and Bormio
The 2026 Winter Olympics are unique in that the alpine racing venues are geographically separated. Cortina d’Ampezzo and Bormio are hosting the events, marking the first time in Olympic history that men and women will compete at venues so distant from each other – a five-hour drive separates the two locations, according to SKI Magazine. Despite the logistical challenges, skiers like Mikaela Shiffrin have expressed appreciation for returning to familiar locations. The Olympia delle Tofane in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in particular, is a well-known and respected course within the alpine skiing community.
The venues themselves are receiving attention. A general view of Bormio and the Olympic slope for the men’s alpine races was captured on December 26, 2024, using a tilt-shift lens. The Olympia delle Tofane has been described as offering perfect conditions, and the course is a focal point for many of the women’s alpine races.
Behind the Lens
Getty Images is offering a glimpse “behind the lens” with its staff sports photographers, including Julian Finney, at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, as noted on their Facebook page here. This provides insight into the challenges and creativity involved in documenting the games.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics continue, the photographic coverage promises to evolve, offering viewers a diverse and compelling visual narrative of the athletic achievements and the spirit of the games. The use of innovative techniques and the focus on both iconic venues and the athletes themselves will undoubtedly contribute to a lasting record of this international event.
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