2nd: The Face of Defeat by Sandy Nicholson is a set of photographs made of people the moments after they placed second in competitions. The book published by The Magenta Foundation will be launched at The Gladstone Hotel September 25th.


Bree Seeley, Walrus Picture Editor: What turned you on to photographing second placers?

Sandy Nicholson: I was photographing ballroom dancers at an event in Toronto. The winners were as you would expect—very happy—but the people who came second were all over the shop. It was very emotional; some were in tears, some were angry, and some were very happy. I found it much more interesting. Then afterward I was thinking about coming second and people who had come second, and I thought about the moon landing and could not remember who was the second man on the moon. I love the idea of photographing things that people tend to forget of moments they miss. So I started photographing the people who came second.

Bree: Which of the competitions stand out as nail-biters that were almost to-close-to-call?

Sandy: The hamburger eating and hair dressing/nail events were two of my favourites for overall intensity.

The air guitar started off as you would expect—loud and fun—but then one of the contestant’s, who looked like Janis Joplin dove off stage and landed on her face, breaking her nose. She hauled herself back on stage and kept going, as her face turned reddish-blue. The crowd went wild. A few sets later another guy with a Billy Idol look broke beer bottles over his head. The crowd went nuts again, but he placed second. It was beyond Spinal Tap for weirdness.

Bree: Some of the people in this series look genuinely pleased. What is it that binds people happy with second place?

Sandy: Often the people most pleased are new to the event. It is the first time they have competed and are very pleased with second, but they think they are certain to place first next time. You never know...