[Leica] Wide angle

[mark at rabinergroup.com (Mark Rabiner)]

> 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
> 
> 
> 
http://www.zimbio.com/Gordie+Howe/articles/27tRyQ-eyxA/Howe+fond+memories+pl
aying+outdoors
Or
http://tinyurl.com/yaa42wv

Gordy Howe, 81 talks about skating outdoors.



Mark William Rabiner