_2nd: The Face of Defeat

Photographer Sandy Nicholson’s interactive photo essay  2nd: The Face of Defeat profiles second-place finishers in contests as diverse as spelling bees, pillow fights, ballroom dancing, and Scrabble. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, 2nd is a companion to Nicholson’s traveling photography exhibition, as well as a book of the same title. The website’s skeuomorphic design recalls a scrapbook; visitors can explore Nicholson’s photographs by dragging their cursor in any direction. A quotation from each loser accompanies his or her photograph, providing commentary on the particular contests, as well as competition in general.