Chelsea…
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.
February 19th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I was wondering if you always carry your two cameras and this setup: 20D with 10-22 EFS and 1dII with 70-200 2.8. Do you like those focal ranges? Do you have a 16-35 or 17-40 that you would rather put on the 1d II, and instead put the 70-200 on the 20d for the 1.6 crop? Just wondering.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
It seems your shooting space in Ryan’s Grill was severely cut down. Your story says it wasn’t terribly bad to get the shots you wanted but how accommodating are people in reality? Do you have to flash your press pass frequently or is your gigantic assorted camera equipment enough to persuade people and/or management you mean business?
February 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Yeah, that’s pretty much my rig for everything. It works for me, and I prefer the widest possible lens I can use, so the 10-22mm is great. The only other lenses I have are a 50 1.4, some slow medium zoom (28-80mm or something, which I rarely actually carry around) and a 1.4X and 2X converters.
February 21st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
It was crowded, but nothing completely outrageous. The press pass thing doesn’t really do anything except ID me as a Bulletin employee (or, since I’m tagged as a journalist, make people have even more disdain for me). For the most part people are nice enough to let me get through to take pictures, though. I try not to make myself much of a pest.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I’ve noticed that your iso is always maxxed! do you run any PP or noise ninja?
The 20D gives good results at that range if that’s the case, also do not enjoy using a flash? or is it just one more thing to deal with?
February 29th, 2008 at 2:55 am
More often than not, the “maxxed” ISO is due to lighting conditions. And as I’ve written before, Canon cameras are good with high ISOs, and even better when the images are properly exposed. I’ll tend to err on the higher end which will produce less noise, rather than underexposing which I’ve found to lead to more noise when trying to bring out the shadows. I’ve never used a noise-reduction program.
The 20d is a total workhorse camera which has never given me any problems. The AF is a little slow, and the focus points are limited, but those “limitations” are easy enough to work around. And the picture quality and color range is really nice — much better in my opinion than the 1-D Mark II. Which is why, aside from sports, I use the 20d so often.
As for flash, I really try to avoid on-camera flash. It’s a personal thing. To me it gives a vaguely “point-and-shoot” feel to a photo. I prefer avoiding it if I can (unless it’s totally pitch-dark and there’s no light at all), just because there are ways to use ambient light to achieve the look and feel that I want. But I do enjoy setting up lighting for effect, and will often do this for features and portraits when time allows.