[Leica] Wide angle

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (tedgrant at shaw.ca)]

Frank Dernie offered:
Subject: Re: [Leica] Wide angle


> The reason, IMHO, why pros use WA zooms started off so that in crowded 
> situations they could stand in front of everybody else and still get 
> everything in. Now everybody has them its all elbows and poking again.<<<<

Hi Frank,
Several years ago working on a Canadian federal election campaign covering 
the about to become Prime Minister. I got so frustrated with the media 
idiots and hanger-ons with super wides always in front instead of using 35's 
and longer, I figured there had to be away to keep at least some of these 
clowns out of the way. Not that I didn't know how to use my elbows 
efficiently in tight spots like the great hockey player Gordie Howe who 
wrote the book,
 "HOW TO USE YOUR ELBOWS IN TIGHT CORNERS AND GET AWAY WITH IT!" :-) I read 
his book! ;-)

After a particularly annoying photo-op I had a talk with the Mountie in 
charge of the security detail... "Hey Bob, can you get your guys to sort of 
set a line how close everyone can get to the Leader?" "Sure what would you 
like?" I explained the situation. "No problem." says he. :-) Next photo-op 
there was lots of room every where we went and I could even use a 90mm 
Summicron in some locations. :-) ;-)

But the wide users? Nothing but whining and bitching being too far away! You 
gotta love it when you know the right people to talk to! :-)

Eventually I became one of the "wider is better in a crowd scene with media 
guys!" but you really have to know how to use your elbows as lethal weapons 
on them and the TV camera guys and their massive sized on shoulder TV 
cameras.

>>>But Ted is, as usual, right, you just stick the lens on the camera which 
>>>matches the requirements and in today's crowded world that is often a 
>>>WA.<<<<<<

Its unmerciful if you don't have one camera with a super wide so you are 
right in the front mash location. Or you are going to have yer butt shot 
off! Period! However, they can be beat depending on the location of the 
event and high points to shoot from with a 300mm and possibly a 1.4 extender 
to really reach in.
Trick is? Be right in front get a few wide grab shots, then push your way 
out looking for a high spot to go right in over top of their heads to the 
main subject.

You have a wide image in the can so your buns are covered.
Now you go for the high angle tight full frame on the subject with a clean 
"facial expression shot!" And with the long lens you can or very nearly can 
"eliminate the media mob scene" in the foreground.
Quite often with the best picture of the event. Not always, but it's worth 
the effort to get away from the smack in yer face look every picture.

But if no one tells you about this tactic you'll find the same guys always 
shooting the exactly same picture of whomever the celebrity of the day is.

cheers,
ted