BEST of On The Road

September, 2005

Hi and welcome to this edition of On The Road. This month I did something that my family and I really enjoy.............I stayed home. I began organizing my 2006 Preview of Olympic Hopefuls that will be available to editorial publications that are looking for pictures of athletes trying to make the 2006 Winter Olympic Team. This kind of office work is especially enjoyable for me as it gives me a chance to look at many of the images I have produced over the years leading up to the Torino Olympics. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to document the lives and careers of many high profile athletes. In particular is my favorite athlete of all time....Michelle Kwan. Here are some images and history of Michelle............

Image #1 This is my very first picture of Michelle Kwan. The 1992 National Championships had Michelle entered in the Senior Division with the likes of Nancy Kerrigan and eventual 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist, Kristi Yamaguchi. I had been photographing the sport of Figure Skating for about 5 years and had heard of Michelle and her coach Frank Carroll but as she had only competed as a junior I had not yet photographed her. At the time, I had no idea that this image would be the beginning of what is now approaching 14 years of pictures and working with Michelle, her family and her agent. Nikon F3, Kodak Kodachrome 200 pushed 1 and 1/3 stops, Nikon 105 f1.8 lens, 1/500 at f2, Manual Focus.
					Image#2 The 1998 National Championships were held in Philadelphia. This would be Kwan vs Lipinski to see who would go into the 1998 Winter Olympics as the USA's best. Kwan would win with a host of perfect 6's. I had studied Michelle's free program in detail and knew she would finish with this pose directly on top of the American Flag logo. A vacant luxury suite located high in the Spectrum was the perfect vantage point to shot the final programs of Lipinski and Kwan. Nikon F5, FujiColor 800 Neg Film, 1/250 at f4, Nikon 400mm f2.8 with 1.4 Teleconverter.
Image#3 I had the pleasure of spending some time with Michelle and her family over the years while doing location photo shoots for a variety of clients. During these sessions on the ice there would be some down time while lights were adjusted or backdrops were rearranged. At one shoot Michelle became cold and borrowed a beautiful coat from the publicist on location. She was still standing on the "mark" and I took this portrait. Nikon F5, Fujichrome100, Nikon 80-200mm Lens, 1/250 at f8, 4 Elinchrom 1000R Strobes with Soft Boxes, Bogen Lightstands.
					Image#4 This was another photo shoot at the ice rink where Michelle was training. Like all high profile athletes, Michele's time is very valuable. It is not uncommon that a photo shoot of this nature may only last 20 minutes or so. In this case the photo session would last only 10 spirals, the skill I requested she perform. Nikon F5, Fujichrome 100, Nikon 80-200mm lens, 6 Elinchrom 1000R Strobes (2 in front of Michelle with Soft Boxes, 2 behind with 20 degree Grids, and 2 behind with 20 Degree Grids and Blue Gels, Black Cloth Backdrop 15X30.) This image was shot for a magazine cover and eventually was used as a book cover and a signature edition poster.
Image#5 The more a photographer works with a subject and does a good job both photographically and personally, the more access you are likely to gain. I enjoyed visiting Michelle and her family each time I would see them whether at a competition or on location. This image was taken while on tour with the Tom Collins Tour of Champions. This was a very quiet moment before Michelle took the ice for her performance in Orlando. Nikon F5, Fuji Color 400, Nikon 17-35mm Lens, 1/60th at f4, SB80 bounced off the wall behind me.
					Image#6 Sometimes a remote camera is useful for the "kiss & cry" area but seldom during competition. As I am a close study of the top skaters programs I knew that Michelle would perform one of her spins on this exact location of the ice. I set up the remote camera about 1 hour before anyone was on the ice for the morning practice session. Nikon D1, ISO800, 1/640 at f2.8, Nikon 80-200, WB Cloudy, 2 Bogen Magic Arms, 2 Bogen Super Clamps, Safety Straps, Pocket Wizards were used to fire the remote, Lexar Flash Card.
Image#7 Michelle in the spotlight while on tour. This is a very quiet, elegant moment during her performance. I have always liked this image for its color and mood. Nikon D1X, ISO800, 1/320 at f2.8, Nikon 300mm f2.8 Lens, Hand Held, WB Cloudy, Lexar Flash Card. No skater has ever captivated the audience better than Michelle. She does not even need to be moving to command the attention of everyone in the arena.
					Image#8 Michelle falling during her final free program at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. It is still emotional for me to look at this image. That's all I can say. Nikon D1X, ISO800, 1/320 at f4, Nikon 600mm f4 Lens, Hand Held, WB Cloudy, Lexar Flash Card.
Image#9 Michelle, during a photo shoot in California for Disney. Nikon D1X, ISO200, 1/500 at f8, Nikon 70-200mm VR Lens, 6 Elinchrom 1000R Sport Strobes 2 in front with Soft Boxes, 2 in back with 30 Degree Grids, 2 behind with 30 Degree Grids, 1 with a Blue Gel and 1 with a Violet Gel, Black Cloth Backdrop 15X30, Lexar Flash Card. The skill is not one she performs in her program but after so many years of working together she was kind enough to do this classic jump.

I hope you have enjoyed this edition of On The Road. There are so many interesting people and fantastic situations that we as photographers have the opportunity of experiencing. So often the sports photographer can be brash, loud and demanding while dealing with athletes and coaches. We should always keep in mind that it is a privilege to be part of the event and the lives of the athletes we photograph.

See you all next time On The Road.....................................Adios, Dave

WORKSHOPS and PRESENTATION Schedule

June 27- July 2 ... Sports Photography Workshop, Colorado Springs, Co. www.sportsphotographyworkshop.com

August 1-5 ... Long Island Photo Workshop, Long Island, NY. www.liphotoworkshop.com

August 12-15 ... American PHOTO Mentor Trek to Acadia National Park, Maine. www.mentorseries.com

September 9-12 ... American PHOTO Mentor Series Trek to Tetons, Wyoming. www.mentorseries.com

October 3-8 ... Photography at the Summit, Jackson Hole, Wy. www.photographyatthesummit.com

December, 2008 (click here)
Memory Lane