BEST of On The Road

March, 2006

Hi and welcome to this edition of On The Road. I have been on the road in Italy for the month of February. I have now covered 12 Olympics and must say that these Games in Torino were most unusual. Shortly after my arrival in Torino I was informed by my editor at Newsweek magazine that because of the 3 hour travel time from Torino to the mountain venues, I would be covering only the venues within the Torino city limits while the other photographers and editor working for the magazine would be located at the mountain venues. With this in mind here are some images from my venues...Opening Ceremonies, Long Track Speed Skating, Figure Skating and Short Track Speed Skating.

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.

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