"The Greatest" - by Olav Stubberud

To inspire the next generation of Greats

Pull back the curtain on the rare individuals who truly embody ‘Greatness.’ Through intimate interviews, cinematic storytelling and iconic photography, we reveal what it takes to stand at the pinnacle of achievement and inspire the world in the process. "The Greatest" is far more than a YouTube Series and a Book; it’s a lasting record of extraordinary achievements.

Photographer Olav Stubberud, connecting audiences to legends in their respective fields, in a raw, intimate and never before seen way. By combining striking analoge photography, stunning video visuals, compelling storytelling, podcasts and more, Olav aims to capture a deeper understanding of what makes someone "The Greatest".

(follow video seires in link in the bottom of this page)

                                                     Mockup test of page
 

Every image in this book is a stamp in time. Olav shoots with around ten different cameras that covers all the formats - 35mm, 120mm, 4×5, and 8×10 large format matching each moment to the tool it deserves. The larger the format, the slower the process, the more deliberate the choice. The 8×10, the biggest, most unforgiving camera in analog photography, has rarely, if ever, been pointed at these sports or situations before. 

100s of film rolls have gone into the project, as well as 100s of hours in photo lab.
The book will be around 20x25cm, and will be a hardcover. 

Olav Stubberud stands at the intersection of sport, music, and culture. Over the last two decades, he continues to be the go-to person to call by the world’s biggest names when it comes time to documenting moments that matter. From touring with Justin Bieber and Post Malone, to shooting Vin Diesel, Skrillex, Sharon Stone, and even the Nobel Peace Prize, Olav has built a reputation as the creative to call when legacy is being made. With a career that spans global festivals, luxury fashion, championship sports, and raw street culture, Olav brings a rare mix of artistic vision, lived experience, and creative integrity.

Olav´s diversity in front and in the back of the camera is one of a kind. His unique ability to foster meaningful, long lasting relationships with talent is unmatched, and brings a rawness to his images that viewers deeply appreciate.

                                                 RAW screenshot from series

 

The subjects 

Season One. Five athletes. Five disciplines. One obsession with pushing beyond what anyone thought possible. 

Marcus Kleveland

2x FIS Snowboard World Champion and 15x X Games medalist, widely credited with pioneering the spin-to-win era of slopestyle. The first snowboarder ever to land a quad cork 1800 in competition, a trick he landed at 17 years old.

Birk Ruud

2x Olympic gold medalist — the sport's first-ever men's Big Air Olympic champion at Beijing 2022, followed by slopestyle gold at Milano Cortina 2026. A record-extending 7x Crystal Globe winner in slopestyle. 

Lee Stone

10x Freestyle Jet Ski World Champion, widely considered the greatest freestyle jet ski athlete of his generation. The youngest person in history to win the IJSBA Amateur Freestyle World Championship, and the first ever to execute a flatwater Superman backflip in competition.

Truls Torp 

3x Døds Diving World Champion (2016, 2017, 2023), the face of Norway's most extreme homegrown sport. The man who turned death diving into a global obsession - hurling himself from 10+ metre platforms and making it look like art.

Elis Torhall

 2024 Parkour World Champion and 3x consecutive World Cup overall winner (2022, 2023, 2024). The first male parkour athlete representing Sweden to win a World Cup gold medal, and at 21, already regarded as the most technically dominant parkour athlete alive

Five athletes at the absolute top of their sport. The question we kept coming back to:
is there something that connects them beyond the trophies? A way of thinking, training, living? 

Going Forward:

5 episodes + Podcasts will be released with one month gap. When last episode is released, book will start shipping. 

The book vs the series
This is not an backing of the series, the series is separate. And will not be funded by this kickstarter. Other than the "Video series supporter" Tier.  

Can I choose which art print I receive?
Collector and Full Drop backers will receive a private selection gallery after the campaign closes. You'll be able to pick your preferred image from the available print collection. 

What happens if the goal is not reached?
If the pledge is not reached, the production will continue as normal and go on to byolav.com webshop with new pricing. 

Do you ship internationally?
Yes, worldwide shipping is available at all tiers. Will ship from Europe. Most of the shipping cost is in the item price. 

For more updates @olav on instagram
To see full episodes: