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On The RoadMarch, 2006
It is unusual for me to cover only three sports at an Olympics but such was my responsibility in Torino. I was not alone in this situation as most agencies, newspapers and Magazines divided their photography staff into city dwellers and mountain folks. Well, ...I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse of the Games. See you all next month On The Road. Adios, Dave
August,
2008 (click here)
July,
2008 (click here)
May,
2008 (click here) |
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Image
#1 Top Of The World...This image of the Italian Alps just
outside of Torino would become my only glimpse of the winter
wonderland The rest of Newsweek's photography team and editor
would be located in the mountains while I concentrated on
the venues in town. No fellow photographers...no editor...just
me...a most unusual situation for the Olympics where I usually
become part of a team. I captured this image through the
window during my flight from Brussels about 15 minutes prior
to landing in Torino. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/400 at f7.1,
WB 5600K, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, Lexar 4G Flash Card. The large
f7.1 aperture helps illuminate any window distortion.
Image
#2 Opening Ceremonies...I have always enjoyed the Opening
Ceremonies of each Olympics I have covered. About 1/3 of the
accredited photographers are given access to the Opening Ceremonies.
There just isn't enough room to accommodate all the photographers.
We are given a ticketed seat to sit in and photograph from.
No single photo position would give a 100% coverage opportunity
of the event. Nikon D2X, ISO320, 1/40 at f2.8, WB 8000K, Nikon
10.5mm Fisheye Lens, Lexar 4G Flash Card. With no place of
security to clamp a remote I hand held my D2X for this fireworks
image at the conclusion of the ceremonies.
Image
#3 First Gold...Chad Hedrick captures the first GOLD medal
for the USA in the 5000 meter Speed Skating Final on Saturday,
February 11th. I would revisit the Long Track Speed Skating
Oval many times over the next two weeks to document the
progress of Speed Skaters from a variety of nations. Nikon
D2X, ISO800, 1/400 at f4, WB Fluorescent -2 with a Hue adjustment
of -3, Nikon 400mm f2.8 Lens with TC14E 1.4 Teleconverter,
Bogen Carbon Fiber Gitzo Mono Pod, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
I shot both Vertical and Horizontal images of Chad during
the 5000 meter race (16 laps offers several chances to shoot).
Newsweek ran a full page vertical but my favorite was this
tight horizontal. This was my first introduction to the
poor lighting quality that would dominate the Speed Skating
and Figure Skating and Short Track venues. I tried every
combination possible including Pre Set White Balance (which
was also very good) but settled on this formula for the
Games. Fellow photographers using both Nikon and Canon found
WB selection a mystery as well. Everyone seemed to have
their own solution to combat the unusual light.
Image
#4 Shall We Dance...The top dance couple for the USA was
a great story that featured Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto.
Belbin (Canadian) had only recently acquired her US citizenship
from President Bush a few weeks prior to the Games. I suggested
doing something more artistic with the dance couple so I
slowed the shutter speed down to 1/25 during the compulsory
competition. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/25 at f5.6, WB Fluorescent
-2 with Hue Adjustment -3, Nikon 70-200mm G VR Lens with
VR on Normal, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image
#5 First Lady...Newsweek of course, is focused on the news
and when First Lady Laura Bush made an appearance at the Olympics
she became news. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/250 at f2, WB Fluorescent
-2 with Hue Adjustment -3, Nikon 200mm f2 G VR Lens, Lexar
4G Flash Card.
Image
#6 Oval Speedster...Shani Davis of the USA created a brew-ha-ha
of controversy by electing not to participate with the USA
men's Speed Skating Pursuit Team and concentrate on his personal
agenda of winning medals. Nikon D2X, ISO800, 1/800 at f2.8,
WB Fluorescent -2 with Hue Adjustment -3, Nikon 400mm f2.8
Lens, Bogen Carbon Fiber Gitzo Mono Pod, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image
#7 Queen For a Day...Sasha Cohen was on top of the figure
skating world after the Ladies Short Program. Her artistry
and exuberance captivated the audience and press alike. I
shot the Pairs and Dance from Ice level but decided to seek
a higher photo position for Men's and Ladies competitions.
The higher vantage point allowed me to see the kiss and cry
area. It was a long way from my self made photo position on
a stair step but I was able to make a picture despite the
great distance and TV Cameramen. Nikon D2X, ISO 800, 1/200
at f5.6, WB Fluorescent -2 with Hue Adjustment -3, Nikon 600mm
f4 Lens with TC14E 1.4 Teleconverter, Bogen Carbon Fiber Gitzo
Mono Pod, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image
#8 Golden Girl...Shizuka Arakawa of Japan captured the GOLD
in Ladies Figure Skating over a fallen Sasha Cohen and Irina
Slutskaya of Russia. It is most unusual for a skater, especially
a woman, to have a reasonable look on her face while performing
a triple jump. Shizuka is one of the first that I can remember
having a placid expression during her jumps. She made wonderful
pictures and is a great champion. Nikon D2X, ISO800, 1/1000
at f2.8, WB Fluorescent -2 with Hue Adjustment of -3, Nikon
400mm f2.8 Lens, Bogen Carbon Fiber Gitzo Mono Pod, Lexar
4G Flash Card. This upper photo position on a stair step near
the press tribune became my location of choice because of
certain ice level restrictions, poor photo locations and very
busy backgrounds. By positioning myself higher I effectively
cleaned up the background gained 3/4 of a stop of light and
could see more of the ice rink including the kiss and cry
area.
Image
#9 Last Lap...Apollo Ohno of the USA on his last lap before
he captured the GOLD medal in the men's 500 meter Short Track
Speed Skating final. This was my last Olympic event and it
was nice to go out with a win. I had documented all of Ohno's
races throughout the Salt Lake City Olympics and here in Torino.
I like Apollo and find him a good guy, easy to work with on
feature shoots with a great attitude that perhaps resembles
what I consider the Olympic persona. He got out in front and
stayed there the entire race. It was very exciting. Newsweek
was on deadline that night and I left following his victory
to file and transmit the images. Nikon D2X, ISO800, 1/800
at f2.8, WB Fluorescent -2 with No Hue Adjustment, Nikon 300mm
f2.8 Lens, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image
#10 Victory...The moment of victory is key for the photographer
to capture. This image of Apollo Ohno winning the GOLD medal
in the 500 meter Short Track Speed Skating final also includes
the silver and bronze medalists in the background. His reaction
was truly genuine and like all victories I've had the privilege
to capture photographically was very exciting. Nikon D2X,
ISO800, 1/800 at f2.8, WB Fluorescent -2 with No Hue Adjustment,
Nikon 300mm f2.8 Lens, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
