On The Road
September, 2004
Welcome to the September issue of
On The Road. It has been a long road indeed as the month of August
placed me on assignment for Newsweek magazine in Athens, Greece
at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. This was my 11th Olympics and
was far and away the most demanding yet most rewarding Games ever.
Rick Rickman, Chris Trottman and myself were the Newsweek team
and let me say that it was a pleasure to work with these guys
every day. We never stopped shooting beginning with the Opening
Ceremony and right up to the last day. Athens was ready and waiting
despite rumors of incomplete venues with the most impressive facilities
on the planet. The Greek people were wonderful hosts and were
a delight to work with. So let's get to some images...
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Michael Phelps...The teenager
displayed his tremendous swimming abilities and won.........well,.......lots
of GOLD medals. With an outdoor pool for the first time since
Barcellona in 1992 the swimming was in a word...HOT ! I wanted
to have a lower angle for this image so I sat down on the
metal floor that supported the photographers seating area.
That lasted about 15 seconds at which time I jumped up after
nearly burning the seat of my pants. I placed a towel down
for the Phelps race and captured this image. Nikon D2H, ISO320,
1/1250th sec f7.1, Nikon 600mm f4 lens, WB Cloudy, Lexar 1G
Flash Card. |
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Marion Jones...The media descended on
the Women's Long Jump Final to see if Marion Jones still
had what it takes to win gold. I had decided to do a sequence
from the side. Rick Rickman had remotes up close so I backed
off to include some of the stadium architecture and media
coverage...the entire scene. This six frame composite image
is the result of about 45 minutes of Photoshop as the digital
cameras do not have multiple exposure capabilities. The
six individual frames are layered into one composite image
illustrating Marion's jump sequence. Nikon D2H, ISO1600,
1/800th sec, Nikon 12mm-24mm at f4. WB 6300K, Lexar 1G Flash
Card.
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Whitewater Kayak...The Whitewater venue was
fantastic for several reasons. 1.Great access,...we could
sit next to the waters edge. 2. Great water,...the water from
the Aegean Sea was pumped in and provided beautiful color
and foam unlike traditional courses of river water. 3. Great
action ! Nikon D2H, ISO250, 1/5000th sec, Nikon 200mm-400mm
G VR lens at f4, WB Flash, Lexar 1G Flash Card. |
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Paul Hamm...The Gymnastics venue was
my assignment and passion for 6 evenings. Paul Hamm became
the first American male to win the GOLD medal in the All
Around. A difficult venue to photograph in due to busy backgrounds
lit with TV lighting, I occasionally found my way to the
highest vantage point to clean the background and give the
viewer a since of location. Nikon D2H, ISO640, 1/640th sec,
Nikon 400mm lens at f2.8 (hand held), WB 6300K, Lexar 1G
Flash Card.
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Equestrian Cross Country...This event was
wonderful to photograph. Horses, Water, Sunlight, and Action
with the element of Danger. I had positioned myself more profile
to the water hazard boat jump for earlier competitors but
decided to move to a head on position after rider #50. To
my surprise, there was no other photographer there. I could
no longer see the other three jumps as all the other photographers
(including myself) could before moving and was now committed
to just the one boat jump. Next rider.....and disaster for
Pawel Spisak of Poland and Weriusz. Nikon D2H, ISO250, 1/2000th
sec, Nikon 200mm-400mm G VR lens at f6.3, WB Cloudy, Hand
Held, Lexar 1G Flash Card. This image is a reminder that getting
away from the "pack" is sometimes key in capturing
a unique moment. |
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Justin Gatlin...The big event in Athletics
(a.k.a. Track and Field to Americans) is the Men's 100m
Final. With Rick Rickman covering the finish line it was
my task to find a position that would be very different
from the rest of the crowd. Most photographers avoid the
profile image as the TV "bullet camera" that runs
along side the sprinters is a large obstacle and can block
your shot at exactly the key moment. I studied the "bullet
camera" during some of the qualifying races and realized
that there was a "window" of clear viewing during
the race. I decided to test myself further by shooting at
a slower shutter speed and panning for a "FAST MOTION"
look. My hope was that either Gatlin or Crawford would be
ahead at the "window". Not only was Gatlin ahead
but the race favorite, Crawford, was caught looking at Gatlin
taking the lead and the GOLD medal. Nikon D2H, ISO400, 1/200th
sec, Nikon 200mm-400mm G VR lens at f5.0 ( VR set on normal),
WB 5600K, Hand Held, Lexar 1G Flash Card. Here again I was
away from the pack and was able to capture something different.
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Carly Patterson...The USA Women's Gymnastics
Team captured the Silver medal as did the USA Men, and like
Paul Hamm's GOLD in the Men's All Around, Carly Patterson
also won the GOLD medal in the Women's All Around competition.
Gymnastics was the most difficult venue in Athens to capture
clean pictures. I used Nikon's NEW 200mm f2 G VR lens at nearly
each venue I worked in. The f2 aperture helped clean the backgrounds
while allowing me to shoot at faster shutter speeds and or
lower ISO than my colleagues. I love this new lens as it is
tailor made for so many sports I shoot. It works beautifully
with the TC 14E 1.4 teleconverter, has the VR modes and is
easy to hand hold. Nikon D2H, ISO640, 1/1250th sec, NEW Nikon
200mm f2 G VR, WB Cloudy, Lexar 1G Flash Card. This lens made
all the difference in the world to me at so many venues and
is a reminder that technology and equipment improvements are
an important aspect to the photographer's success in the photographic
industry today. |
Well, this is just a few moments
within the thousands of images that that I captured at the 2004
Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Each day was an adventure.
I have never pushed myself so hard at any other Olympics. The
weight and heat and miles of walking and hours of standing took
its toll on me. I gaffer taped my feet and toes every day, took
naps on buses, and drank an average of 20 bottles of water each
day. There were moments when I thought I was too old for Olympic
coverage but kept on going. Anyone who was there will tell you
similar stories. I was pleased with my results as was Newsweek.
I hope that you have enjoyed this edition of On The Road. See
you next time.
Adios, Dave
September,
2008 (click here)
Olympians, Weather and Workshops
August,
2008 (click here)
Camp Life
July,
2008 (click here)
Lightpainting the Southwest
June,
2008
The Kentucky Derby
May,
2008 (click here)
A Southwest Tour
April,
2008 (click here)
The Endless Winter
March,
2008 (click here)
PMA Show in Las Vegas!
February,
2008 (click here)
At the Ballet
January,
2008 (click here)
One Week of Work
December,
2007 (click here)
A Look Back at 2007
November,
2007 (click here)
Traveling
with the New Nikon D3
October,
2007 (click here)
High Country Journey
September,
2007 (click here)
Walking
On The Road
August,
2007 (click here)
Speedway
Thunder from PA
July, 2007
(click here)
"Arlington National
Cemetery"
June, 2007
(click here)
"Kentucky Derby Day"
May, 2007
(click here)
"Mexico Trek"
April,
2007 (click here)
"Egypt Trek"
March,
2007 (click here)
Transit Mix
"Images From the Air"
February,
2007 (click here)
Ice Climbing in Ouray
January,
2007 (click here)
2007 Year in Review
December,
2006 (click here)
People of Willoq, Peru
November,
2006 (click here)
Lexington, Kentucky TREK
October,
2006 (click here)
Training for the Mr USA Title
September,
2006 (click here)
"The International Golf Tournament"
August,
2006 (click here)
"Tour of Champions Documentary"
July,
2006 (click here)
"Northern California, the FBI and Clint
Eastwood ..."
June,
2006 (click here)
"The 2006 Kentucky Derby"
May,
2006 (click here)
"Off the Road Picture Sales"
April,
2006 (click here)
Ladies Olympic Figure Skating
March,
2006 (click here)
Torino Italy and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
February,
2006 (click here)
"Hey Dave, are you going to the Winter Olympics in Torino
and What Equipment Do You Take?"
January,
2006 (click here)
The Holiday Tea with Tchaikovsky
presented by Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet
December,
2005 (click here)
Landscapes at Pebble Beach:
a look back at 2005
November,
2005 (click here)
Lightpainting Landscapes
NFL Football
October,
2005 (click here)
3 Day Photography Workshop
Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina
September,
2005 (click here)
Michelle Kwan
August,
2005 (click here)
International Gymnastics Camp
July,
2005 (click here)
the Men's US Open Golf Championships
June,
2005 (click here)
The Kentucky Derby
May,
2005 (click here)
Nevada Photojournalism Day
April,
2005 (click here)
John Bolin's "The Thorn"
March,
2005 (click here)
Indoor Track and Field
UC Irvine's Paul Spittle and
the Sports Shooter Academy
with Nikon's new DX2
February,
2005 (click here)
Broncos Football:
Denver vs Indianapolis
the US Figure Skating Nationals
Portland, Oregon
College Basketball:
Colorado State vs Air Force
January,
2005 (click here)
Broncos Football:
Broncos VS. Dolphins
Assignment work:
Wrestling
December,
2004 (click here)
A look back at 2004
November,
2004 (click here)
Rich Clarkson's Photography at the Summit Workshop &
Moose Peterson's Digital Landscape Workshop Series
October,
2004 (click here)
Whitewater Kayaking
Gymnastics and more
September,
2004 (click here)
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games
Athens, Greece
August,
2004 (click here)
A look back at some wonderful Olympic moments
July,
2004 (click here)
USAFA Graduation flyover
US Olympic Training Center - Swimming and Gymnastics
June,
2004 (click here)
Last Month the Masters, this month The Kentucky Derby......I
love my job
May,
2004 (click here)
Masters at Augusta National
April,
2004 (click here)
The American Cup Gymnastics
NIKON COLLEGE WORKSHOP
March,
2004 (click here)
Indoor Track and Field
Women's Freestyle Wresting
Rhythmic Gymnastics Nationals
The Glass Flower Ceiling at the Belagio Hotel in Las Vegas
February,
2004 (click here)
College Basketball
Women's Waterpolo
Olympic swimmers on their way to Athens
January,
2004 (click here)
NFL Football
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals
A look back at The Greenbay Professionals
December,
2003
Monday Night Football the Sports Shooter Workshop and Luau in
LA
November,
2003
Photography at the Summit workshop
October,
2003
Portraits to workshops to stock image sales
September,
2003
Lightpainting in Banf
The World Gymnastics Championships
August,
2003
International Gymnastics Camp
July,
2003
Thunderbirds
Gymnastics
The Sports Photography Workshop with Rich Clarkson
Velodrome Cycling, More
June, 2003
The 129th running of the Kentucky Derby
White water kayakers
The Champions on Ice tour
May,
2003 (click here)
PBR Rodeo
Chris Shivers and Little Yellow Jacket ride for $1 Million
April,
2003 (click here)
Nikon's featured speaker at PMA in Las Vegas
American Cup Gymnastics
USAFA Women's Basketball
USAFA Swimming
USAFA Boxing
NCAA Fencing Championships
March,
2003 (click here)
USOC's Titan Games
February,
2003 (click here)
Air Force Basketball
Pro Football Pre-Superball Stock Sales
Swimmers train at the Swim Flume at the USOC
Much more!
January,
2003 (click here)
Diving at the Air Force Academy
Denver Broncos VS. The Arizona Cardinals
Olympic Hopefuls Lenny Krayzelberg and Tom Molchow practice
at the USOC
