Jump
Some time in the early 1950’s photographer Phillippe Halsman had an absolutely brilliant idea. He would ask the people sitting for their portrait to jump. And they did! He even coined the term: Jumpology. In 1959 his incredibly fun mid-air photos were published in the Philippe Halsman’s Jump Book. 
PH: “I asked every famous or important person I photographed to jump for me. I was motivated by a genuine curiosity. After all, life has taught us to control and disguise our facial expressions, but it has not taught us to control our jumps. I wanted to see famous people reveal in a jump their ambition or their lack of it, their self-importance or their insecurity, and many other traits.”
PH: “In a jump, the subject, in a sudden burst of energy, overcomes gravity. He cannot simultaneously control his expressions, his facial and limb muscles. The mask falls. The real self becomes visible.”
PH: “Jumping humanity can be divided into two categories: one which tries to jump as high as possible and one which doesn’t care. The ones who try hard have ambition, drive and the desire to impress others. The ones who don’t care either don’t take the jump seriously or lack ambition.”
All images © Philippe Halsman / Magnum