FEBRUARY 17, 2008 - Chelsea Clinton was the center of attention at a democratic rally for Hillary Clinton at Ryan’s Grill at Ward Centre. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D , EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 (at 10mm), Aperture priority, 1/125 sec at f/3.5, ISO 1600, Auto white balance

So Chelsea Clinton was in town doing the stump thing for her mom. It was finally my time to be on Chelsea patrol Sunday when she was to make an appearance at some affair at Ryan’s Grill at Ward Centre. “Alright,” I thought, political fun and a bar all rolled into one. My kind of deal.

I got there early and hung out on a bench outside, pondering my fate. I’d heard that Chelsea doesn’t talk to the media, but is free game for photos. The bar area is tight, and when I finally walked in to scope the joint out, there were throngs of people at tables while servers delivered orders. I could just see myself knocking a jug of wine out of someone’s hand as I jockeyed for a photo.

The microphone was being set up in a corner, bathed in backlight. Clinton would either be a silhouette, or she’d be properly exposed, but the backlight would be blasted. Could have a holy effect. Or look like garbage. I started to think of plan B.

At this point I suppose someone got the word that the light was awful, and a bunch of support people started taping Hillary signs to the window. Problem solved.

Then the action started. I saw Dan Inouye and his fiance approaching the restaurant, so I went towards the door to get into position. They came in and I was getting shots of them shaking hands and getting leis. Then Chelsea came in, and the throng burst into applause.

FEBRUARY 17, 2008 - Senator Daniel Inouye and his fiance Irene Hirano talked with Chelsea Clinton. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D , EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 (at 10mm), Aperture priority, 1/80 sec at f/3.5, ISO 1600, Auto white balance

I was in the right place since Inouye was still near the entrance. There was some small talk and they tried to walk in deeper into the place.

Of course, people there were in a froth trying to get close to Chelsea, and I was trying to backpedal to give them room. I wasn’t going anywhere. A strange tension was developing, and I was trying to keep my distance. TV was off to my left and had their light on which was nice since the place was a black hole and I wanted to avoid using a flash.

A handler came up and started to asking us to back up. I was trapped and getting nervous. I didn’t want to provoke them, so I ducked out and ran to the back.

The mob surged forward. Everyone had cameras and pens and hopes and dreams. I did a hail mary from behind, then decided I’d loop around to catch up with Inouye who was working the crowd. I figured Chelsea would do the same, and I’d let her come to me.

Eventually it turned into a log jam, so I decided I’d get into position for the speech. Whatever that meant.

TV had set up directly in front of the mic, but I opted for an opening to the side. The photos would be a little more dynamic, and I could be that much closer without seeming “too close.” And it worked out well when Inouye introduced Chelsea.

FEBRUARY 17, 2008 - Chelsea Clinton is introduced by Senator Daniel Inouye at a democratic rally for Hillary Clinton at Ryan’s Grill at Ward Centre. Behind is Colleen Hanabusa. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D , EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 (at 22mm), Aperture priority, 1/50 sec at f/4.5, ISO 1600, Auto white balance

Everyone huddled around as a server came up behind me to deliver some cocktails. They looked good. I wished they were for me.

FEBRUARY 17, 2008 - Supporters watch Chelsea Clinton speak. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D , EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 (at 10mm), Aperture priority, 1/200 sec at f/3.5, ISO 1600, Auto white balance

With this side angle I was also able to get some tight, nicely lit portrait-type deals of her speaking. A light had been set up and was placed behind the TV cameras. From their angle the light was almost direct, but from where I was shooting it was at a good angle.

FEBRUARY 17, 2008 - Chelsea Clinton speaks. Exposure details: Canon EOS 1-D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f2.8 (at 200mm), Aperture priority, 1/250 sec at f/2.8, ISO 3200, Auto white balance

After she finished a brief spiel, there was more glad-handing and autographs and photos. I stuck around for a little longer just in case.

A good time had by all.

January 28, 2008 - U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner spoke alongside Governor Linda Lingle at a press conference establishing the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Exposure details: Canon EOS 20D, EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 (at 10mm), Manual, 1/200 sec at f/3.5, ISO 1600, Tungsten white balance

Every so often, the governor holds press conferences in her office at the state capitol. I’ve always found them to be somewhat entertaining to shoot. Sure, you have a couple of talking heads, or maybe some signatures being scrawled in a deluxe leather-bound folio, or maybe a trophy (if you’re lucky).

For me, it’s the thrill of the hunt. Will I be able to milk this “photo op” for all that it’s worth? Will I come up with something different? Or will I come away with the classic “execution at dawn” people-standing-in-a-row (with only the blindfolds and cigarettes missing) shot?

So I drove down into the dusky loins of the capitol and parked. I was ready. I had an aloha shirt on. This was going to be big. Some sort of “announcement” was going to be made about “energy.” Someone from “Washington” was going to be there.

“Washington?” Did they say “Washington?”

I got off the elevator on the 5th floor and sauntered to the governor’s office. Small rivulets of people were doing the same.

I opened the giant wood door, and was greeted with a waiting room filled with all sorts of people. Suits. Military types. Silky aloha shirts. Slacks. High heels.

It was electric.

Or so I told myself, as I braced for the impending “event.”

People started to fill the governor’s office, which is actually just the room where these press conferences are held. A big table, a giant Seal Of Hawaii dangling behind the podium, flags, a semi-circle of nice leather seats with little “RESERVED” signs on them, a phalanx of television cameras. The room was at capacity. People were hanging from the rafters (well, not really, but it was close).

Some man came out and a hush fell over the crowd. “The governor will be coming out soon,” he announced. Murmurs from the crowd. I looked for a gavel, but didn’t see anything.

Then, a door opened, and people rose to their feet, and in walked Lingle and a couple of other people.

It had begun.

Ted Liu stepped up the mic and started talking.

With the room stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey, there really wasn’t any room to move around. I was slightly to the right of the podium, prime for shooting mugs, but it wasn’t conducive to anything else. I usually wander around and look for weird angles, but that wasn’t happening today. I decided on doing the layer gag. Get one person in focus, the other out. Luckily from where I was standing either Lingle or Karsner were standing in position that I could get the two of them in the same frame.

January 28, 2008 - U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner listens as Governor Linda Lingle speaks at a press conference establishing the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Exposure details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f2.8 (at 200mm), Manual, 1/320 sec at f/4, ISO 1250, Tungsten white balance

So I milked this idea for a while, then found a little open space off the right behind some cardboard “energy initiative” info graphic sitting on an easel.

From there I could shoot wide and get the whole room, establishing the scene, plus there was another angle where I could employ the running two-for-one-in-the-same-frame gag. Plus, the light was a little moodier from this vantage point.

January 28, 2008 - U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Alexander Karsner speaks as Governor Linda Lingle listens at a press conference establishing the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Exposure details: Canon EOS-1D Mark II, EF 70-200mm f2.8 (at 90mm), Manual, 1/200 sec at f/4, ISO 1250, Tungsten white balance

With that out of the way I went back to the front to start harvesting mugs. This is an important part of any press conference assignment. Come away with as many mugs as possible. The paper always needs fresh mug shots of people, and sometimes you can get photos of people you wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to shoot. You never know when those will come in handy.

And with that, it was over. Another fun-filled episode in the governor’s office.