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On The RoadApril, 2006
Well....I hope you have enjoyed this short "insider's view" of the Ladies Figure Skating from the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. This sport and, in particular, the Ladies Olympic Final tends to bring many people who would not usually watch sports to become deeply involved. I am always amazed at the passionate conversations I hear follow my return home after each Winter Olympics........."Did you shoot the Ladies Figure Skating?".................."Yes, I did"........... See you next time here On The Road.................................Adios, Dave
December,
2008 (click here)
November,
2008 (click here
October,
2008 (click here)
September,
2008 (click here)
August,
2008 (click here)
July,
2008 (click here)
May,
2008 (click here) |
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Image
#1 Irina Slutskaya.....World Champion and the favorite going
into Torino. Photographically what happened to her on the
ice was secondary compared to her off ice reaction regarding
the judges scores. The bronze medal that she left in her
locker at the Palavela Olympic Ice Hall after the awards
ceremony had to be retrieved by Russian Figure Skating Federation
officials...(or so several publications stated.) Nikon D2X,
ISO800, 1/160 at f5.6, Nikon 600mm f4 Lens with TC14E 1.4
Teleconverter, WB Fluorescent-2 with Hue Adjustment-3, Gitzo
Carbon Fiber Monopod, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I had chosen
an elevated position to photograph several of the figure
skating sessions from. This higher view helped to eliminate
the cluttered backgrounds that were so distracting from
the ice level photo positions (the worst I have seen at
any Olympics). This position gave me a clear shot of the
entire ice surface, kiss and cry area and the athletes exit
from the competition area. I used the 600 with a 1.4 converter
to reach from my elevated corner above the ice rink to the
athletes exit .......... a long way and a lot of glass but
well worth it for this key moment of disappointment from
Slutskaya.
Image
#2 Sasha Cohen.....America's Favorite going into Torino. Sasha
Cohen looks like the model by which the new rule book for
Figure Skating has been written for. No other skater executes
so many moves and required elements that the new rules emphasize
better than Sasha. Her short program perhaps rivaled that
of Michelle Kwan's short program in the 1998 National Championships
which scored a record number of perfect 6.0 marks. Nikon D2X,
ISO800, 1/500 at f4, Nikon 400mm Lens with TC14E 1.4 Teleconverter,
WB Fluorescent-2 with Hue Adjustment-3, Gitzo Carbon Fiber
Monopod, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image
#3 Keeping a Leg Up.....Cohen leaves all others in her wake
of ice chips when it comes to extension and grace. This
skill was performed by several of the Olympians in Torino
with good attempts but only Cohen seemed to perform it with
full extension, speed, edge and a graceful style that made
a beautiful picture. Nikon D2X, ISO800, 1/500 at f4, Nikon
400mm f2.8 Lens with TC14E 1.4 Teleconverter, WB Fluorescent-2
with Hue Adjustment-3, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Monopod, Lexar
4G Flash Card.
Image
#4 Fall From Grace.....All of America wanted Sasha Cohen
to win.....not just because it would be welcome news after
the US Olympic Ski Team break down but because she is so
wonderful to watch when she completes a perfect program.
This moment saddened not only Americans but most of those
in attendance during the Ladies finals. Nikon D2X, ISO800,
1/1000 at f2.8, Nikon 400mm f2.8 Lens, WB Fluorescent-2
with Hue Adjustment-3, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Monopod, Lexar
4G Flash Card.
Image
#5 Determination and Perfection.....Great athletes tend to
endure even after disaster....they do not give up. Cohen could
have called it quits and phoned for a Torino taxi but she
not only picked herself up but finished almost as if nothing
had gone wrong. By doing so, she won a Silver Medal and the
hearts of the world that watched her do so. I have great admiration
and respect for those who have fallen yet rise above the moment
to finish with style. So, I give two thumbs up to Sasha. Nikon
D2X, ISO500, 1/320 at f3.5, Nikon 400mm f2.8 Lens, WB Fluorescent-2
with Hue Adjustment-3, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Monopod, Lexar 4G
Flash Card.
Image
#6 Shizuka Arakawa.....The victory lap was very emotional
for Shizuka and her fans. A great champion who performed perfectly
to win, this brief moment of eye contact made a strong, defining
image of her accomplishment. Nikon D2X, ISO800, 1/320 at f4,
Nikon 400mm f2.8 Lens with TC14E 1.4 Teleconverter, WB Fluorescent-2
with Hue Adjustment-3, Gitzo Carbon Fiber Monopod, Lexar 4G
Flash Card. 
