In 2007, photographer Michael Donald embarked on an ambitious project to photograph every living scorer of a World Cup final goal, a group of just 34 men. Over four years, he traveled to 13 countries with a documentary crew, interviewing and capturing portraits of these football legends. Among them was Jair Ventura Filho, known as Jairzinho, who scored Brazil's third goal in the 1970 final against Italy.
Shooting in a Rio Favela
Jairzinho now runs a football school for underprivileged children in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. Donald's portrait was taken in the Manguinhos neighborhood favela. Favelas are shantytowns where police have no jurisdiction, and an unwritten rule dictates that outsiders must leave by 5pm. The crew hired local security from drug lords, but by mid-afternoon, the security—essentially kids—had grown bored and left.
The shoot took place at a public football ground. As they were leaving, Donald spotted a beautiful old football table outside a bar. Jairzinho liked it, and Donald asked for ten more minutes to capture the shot. He set up his Hasselblad with a digital back on a tripod, using a small light held by his assistant Stevie. Donald prefers not to use artificial lighting in documentary work, but this small addition helped.
The Gun Incident
While Donald focused on Jairzinho, a man on a bicycle approached. The man sneaked behind Donald, where the director Dan, producer Gretha, and other crew members were waiting. Donald heard a heated conversation but continued shooting, as Jairzinho seemed comfortable. Eventually, Dan said, "Michael, I think we ought to go." Donald persisted for a few more minutes until he was sure he had the frame. When he turned around, the man had pulled a gun on Dan and Gretha. Dan said, "Do you get it now?"
The man had taken exception to the crew's presence. The rest of the crew and the local fixer had already left, but Donald, Stevie, and Jairzinho were too focused to notice. Dan and Gretha could have insisted on leaving immediately, but they gave Donald the time to get the shot. The crew didn't linger after that.
The Power of Photography
Donald appreciates that the chaos behind the camera is not apparent in the portrait. He says, "That's often the case with photography." The image captures Jairzinho in his element, with the football table adding a local touch. Donald notes that the composition and the fact they managed to shoot in a favela, characteristic of Rio, make the picture special.
Donald's project, which included interviewing every member of the exclusive World Cup club, was financed by a film producer after book sales proved insufficient. The resulting portraits and interviews document a unique group of athletes. For Donald, the high point of his career is feeling completely immersed in his work, and he advises photographers to pursue projects that excite them personally.
