[Leica] WAS: Ted Grant's Swimmer TECHNICAL INFO.NOW OLYMPICS

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Gerry Walden said:
Subject: Re: [Leica] RE: Ted Grant's Swimmer TECHNICAL INFO.


> I have applied for accreditation for the 2012 Olympics in London, and
> I will then be 66. My inspiration is purely and simply Ted!<<<

Yer just a young pup, :-)  so you'll have a great time, all be it "crowded!"

A few things you'll find out very quickly at the Olympic Games:

You wont be able to shoot from where "you want!" Only designated photo 
positions often selected by a portrait photographer friend of one of the 
senior executives of the organizing committee. Not always, but it seems so 
when 700 shooters are trying to squeeze into a spot for half that number.

You'll be one of several thousand accredited photographers all bent on being 
in the ideal location.

Track & field, swimming will draw the greatest number of photogs.... 
squeezed into the smallest photo positions possible. Which means if you want 
the ideal shoot location you'll be in your spot about 4 to 6 hours before 
the event starts!

Carry a couple bottles of water and don't carry every damn photo item you 
own. Don't carry a big equipment bag, they're totally useless, wear a photo 
vest! Cameras and bodies hang off your body without all the caps and 
"amateur do-dads always ready to use!"

Your "normal lens" will be a 300mm plus a 2X extender! You may have stood at 
the side lines covering the local sport club, here you'll feel like yer a 
block and half away or more.

Security since the 1972 Munich terrorist murders have pushed photogs farther 
and farther from the action. Not only that, camera manufactures have created 
longer and longer lenses so security people know this and figure they can 
keep photogs further away. Its a catch 22 situation.:-( You buy a longer 
lens to close the gap, then find you've been located at a greater distance 
from the action.

Lots more things but I've got to hit the road for the lake. Any questions? 
Ask.
ted