Before the 2010 Vancouver Olympics are overshadowed by the PMA and the cavalcade of new gear announced and released, let’s take a quick look at what’s happening at the games.
CNN has a great insider article on a day-in-the-life of an Olympic sports photographer. Many photogs dream of shooting an Olympic event, but do they really have the fortitude?
Temperatures are just above freezing on Cypress Mountain, and Beck, a Sports Illustrated photographer for 24 years, is steadily ambling up the hill to stake out his position near the top. The climb is just 160 meters, but try doing it with a 50- or 60-pound pack on your back and a bad knee repaired just three weeks ago….
For the next nine hours Beck won’t leave his spot — he’s not allowed to come back down until the competition is over — so he has a bag full of equipment and provisions. He carries three camera bodies, four lenses, several radios to remotely trigger cameras and a bunch of Cliff bars. (McDonald’s might sponsor these Games, but there’s no Golden Arches on the hill).
From CNN
Editor’s note: Speaking from experience, sports photographers have to be nearly as tough as the athletes they hope to capture. Shooting dogsled races at -30 C takes stamina and dedication.
Nikon Rumors has posted a couple of photos from the Vancouver Olympic Games (and PMA). Canon is definitely made its presence felt with a fleet of Canon EOS Minis advertising the Canon 1D Mark IV and the Canon 5D Mark II. I’d drive around in one of these, how about you? Canon opted out of attending the PMA, as did Leica. A fleet of four-wheeled ads must be more important than a giant trade show.