Is he using a boy’s axe? I’m tall-ish and had to use one in a pinch a couple years ago. My first few swings were really awkward—I probably looked like this guy but in crappier clothes and much less hair. My feet were definitely closer together.
exactly what I was thinking. He looks slightly over extended. And who splits with one foot that far forward? I bet they told him what stance to use for the photo op.
My guess is that the ad agency handling the photo shoot knows exactly the same amount as the model doing the splitting…zero. Reminds me of an REI catalog photo from 20 years ago where the model was rock climbing but had his rope system set up in completely the wrong (and wildly unsafe) way.
It's funny how everything we need to know about this guy as a human being we know from this one photo. He could cure cancer, end endless wars, and it wouldn't matter. All his selfless acts of giving and acts of kindness, all of his triumphs and victories can be distilled down to this one snapshot revealing that he's never swung an axe before. Eff this guy with his taped on mink hide beard and dreadlocks, and career as a professional poser
well, with a pic purporting that he does know how to use one. So he's a liar. And they're promulgating and profiting from his lie. But we caught it. I don't even know what promulgating means. It just sounds like a good word here.
I wonder if the scene is statically posed, meaning that the axe was pre-grounded in the chopping block and with the splits staged on the block? The model would come up and be coached into a stance that revealed the product to best advantage and then the pictures taken. This would explain the somewhat awkward grip and stance. Also there are no chips and dreadlocks flying from the swing and impact. Such an approach would also lessen insurance liability during the photo shoot! My $.02 worth.
Finally we’ve arrived! can always count on this forum to go full Zapruder’s on a single image. I think I’m with you, but if you’re right you’ve got to give them credit for 1) making the splits lean as if they’re both falling away from the axe, and 2) the model does an amazing job at looking terrified of the axe.
Well…..At least it appears that Danner “checked all of the politically correct boxes” . I can remember when it used to be about the product!!
And …hair extensions? I don’t know whether to laugh or feel sorry for the poor fella.That’s got to be posed it looks so uncomfortable. They probably mounted that split there at an angle stationary to give the appearance it’s flying apart in the middle of the air. Just looks awkward…more like he’s trying to pull the ax OUT of the block than coming down with force. Not a good photo for an ad.
