On The Road
September, 2005
Hi and welcome to this edition of On The Road. This month I did
something that my family and I really enjoy.............I stayed
home. I began organizing my 2006 Preview of Olympic Hopefuls that
will be available to editorial publications that are looking for
pictures of athletes trying to make the 2006 Winter Olympic Team.
This kind of office work is especially enjoyable for me as it
gives me a chance to look at many of the images I have produced
over the years leading up to the Torino Olympics. I have been
blessed to have had the opportunity to document the lives and
careers of many high profile athletes. In particular is my favorite
athlete of all time....Michelle Kwan. Here are some images and
history of Michelle............
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Image #1 This is my very first picture
of Michelle Kwan. The 1992 National Championships had Michelle
entered in the Senior Division with the likes of Nancy Kerrigan
and eventual 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist, Kristi Yamaguchi.
I had been photographing the sport of Figure Skating for
about 5 years and had heard of Michelle and her coach Frank
Carroll but as she had only competed as a junior I had not
yet photographed her. At the time, I had no idea that this
image would be the beginning of what is now approaching
14 years of pictures and working with Michelle, her family
and her agent. Nikon F3, Kodak Kodachrome 200 pushed 1 and
1/3 stops, Nikon 105 f1.8 lens, 1/500 at f2, Manual Focus.
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Image#2 The 1998 National Championships
were held in Philadelphia. This would be Kwan vs Lipinski
to see who would go into the 1998 Winter Olympics as the USA's
best. Kwan would win with a host of perfect 6's. I had studied
Michelle's free program in detail and knew she would finish
with this pose directly on top of the American Flag logo.
A vacant luxury suite located high in the Spectrum was the
perfect vantage point to shot the final programs of Lipinski
and Kwan. Nikon F5, FujiColor 800 Neg Film, 1/250 at f4, Nikon
400mm f2.8 with 1.4 Teleconverter. |
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Image#3 I had the pleasure of spending
some time with Michelle and her family over the years while
doing location photo shoots for a variety of clients. During
these sessions on the ice there would be some down time while
lights were adjusted or backdrops were rearranged. At one
shoot Michelle became cold and borrowed a beautiful coat from
the publicist on location. She was still standing on the "mark"
and I took this portrait. Nikon F5, Fujichrome100, Nikon 80-200mm
Lens, 1/250 at f8, 4 Elinchrom 1000R Strobes with Soft Boxes,
Bogen Lightstands. |
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Image#4 This was another photo shoot at the
ice rink where Michelle was training. Like all high profile
athletes, Michele's time is very valuable. It is not uncommon
that a photo shoot of this nature may only last 20 minutes
or so. In this case the photo session would last only 10 spirals,
the skill I requested she perform. Nikon F5, Fujichrome 100,
Nikon 80-200mm lens, 6 Elinchrom 1000R Strobes (2 in front
of Michelle with Soft Boxes, 2 behind with 20 degree Grids,
and 2 behind with 20 Degree Grids and Blue Gels, Black Cloth
Backdrop 15X30.) This image was shot for a magazine cover
and eventually was used as a book cover and a signature edition
poster. |
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Image#5 The more a photographer works
with a subject and does a good job both photographically
and personally, the more access you are likely to gain.
I enjoyed visiting Michelle and her family each time I would
see them whether at a competition or on location. This image
was taken while on tour with the Tom Collins Tour of Champions.
This was a very quiet moment before Michelle took the ice
for her performance in Orlando. Nikon F5, Fuji Color 400,
Nikon 17-35mm Lens, 1/60th at f4, SB80 bounced off the wall
behind me.
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Image#6 Sometimes a remote camera is useful
for the "kiss & cry" area but seldom during
competition. As I am a close study of the top skaters programs
I knew that Michelle would perform one of her spins on this
exact location of the ice. I set up the remote camera about
1 hour before anyone was on the ice for the morning practice
session. Nikon D1, ISO800, 1/640 at f2.8, Nikon 80-200, WB
Cloudy, 2 Bogen Magic Arms, 2 Bogen Super Clamps, Safety Straps,
Pocket Wizards were used to fire the remote, Lexar Flash Card. |
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Image#7 Michelle in the spotlight while
on tour. This is a very quiet, elegant moment during her
performance. I have always liked this image for its color
and mood. Nikon D1X, ISO800, 1/320 at f2.8, Nikon 300mm
f2.8 Lens, Hand Held, WB Cloudy, Lexar Flash Card. No skater
has ever captivated the audience better than Michelle. She
does not even need to be moving to command the attention
of everyone in the arena.
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Image#8 Michelle falling during her final
free program at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake
City. It is still emotional for me to look at this image.
That's all I can say. Nikon D1X, ISO800, 1/320 at f4, Nikon
600mm f4 Lens, Hand Held, WB Cloudy, Lexar Flash Card. |
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Image#9 Michelle, during a photo shoot
in California for Disney. Nikon D1X, ISO200, 1/500 at f8,
Nikon 70-200mm VR Lens, 6 Elinchrom 1000R Sport Strobes
2 in front with Soft Boxes, 2 in back with 30 Degree Grids,
2 behind with 30 Degree Grids, 1 with a Blue Gel and 1 with
a Violet Gel, Black Cloth Backdrop 15X30, Lexar Flash Card.
The skill is not one she performs in her program but after
so many years of working together she was kind enough to
do this classic jump.
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I hope you have enjoyed this edition
of On The Road. There are so many interesting people and fantastic
situations that we as photographers have the opportunity of experiencing.
So often the sports photographer can be brash, loud and demanding
while dealing with athletes and coaches. We should always keep
in mind that it is a privilege to be part of the event and the
lives of the athletes we photograph.
See you all next time On The Road.....................................Adios,
Dave
May,
2008 (click here)
A Southwest Tour
April,
2008 (click here)
The Endless Winter
March,
2008 (click here)
PMA Show in Las Vegas!
February,
2008 (click here)
At the Ballet
January,
2008 (click here)
One Week of Work
December,
2007 (click here)
A Look Back at 2007
November,
2007 (click here)
Traveling
with the New Nikon D3
October,
2007 (click here)
High Country Journey
September,
2007 (click here)
Walking
On The Road
August,
2007 (click here)
Speedway
Thunder from PA
July, 2007
(click here)
"Arlington National
Cemetery"
June, 2007
(click here)
"Kentucky Derby Day"
May, 2007
(click here)
"Mexico Trek"
April,
2007 (click here)
"Egypt Trek"
March,
2007 (click here)
Transit Mix
"Images From the Air"
February,
2007 (click here)
Ice Climbing in Ouray
January,
2007 (click here)
2007 Year in Review
December,
2006 (click here)
People of Willoq, Peru
November,
2006 (click here)
Lexington, Kentucky TREK
October,
2006 (click here)
Training for the Mr USA Title
September,
2006 (click here)
"The International Golf Tournament"
August,
2006 (click here)
"Tour of Champions Documentary"
July,
2006 (click here)
"Northern California, the FBI and Clint
Eastwood ..."
June,
2006 (click here)
"The 2006 Kentucky Derby"
May,
2006 (click here)
"Off the Road Picture Sales"
April,
2006 (click here)
Ladies Olympic Figure Skating
March,
2006 (click here)
Torino Italy and the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
February,
2006 (click here)
"Hey Dave, are you going to the Winter Olympics in Torino
and What Equipment Do You Take?"
January,
2006 (click here)
The Holiday Tea with Tchaikovsky
presented by Colorado's Classical Youth Ballet
December,
2005 (click here)
Landscapes at Pebble Beach:
a look back at 2005
November,
2005 (click here)
Lightpainting Landscapes
NFL Football
October,
2005 (click here)
3 Day Photography Workshop
Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, North Carolina
September,
2005 (click here)
Michelle Kwan
August,
2005 (click here)
International Gymnastics Camp
July,
2005 (click here)
the Men's US Open Golf Championships
June,
2005 (click here)
The Kentucky Derby
May,
2005 (click here)
Nevada Photojournalism Day
April,
2005 (click here)
John Bolin's "The Thorn"
March,
2005 (click here)
Indoor Track and Field
UC Irvine's Paul Spittle and
the Sports Shooter Academy
with Nikon's new DX2
February,
2005 (click here)
Broncos Football:
Denver vs Indianapolis
the US Figure Skating Nationals
Portland, Oregon
College Basketball:
Colorado State vs Air Force
January,
2005 (click here)
Broncos Football:
Broncos VS. Dolphins
Assignment work:
Wrestling
December,
2004 (click here)
A look back at 2004
November,
2004 (click here)
Rich Clarkson's Photography at the Summit Workshop &
Moose Peterson's Digital Landscape Workshop Series
October,
2004 (click here)
Whitewater Kayaking
Gymnastics and more
September,
2004 (click here)
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games
Athens, Greece
August,
2004 (click here)
A look back at some wonderful Olympic moments
July,
2004 (click here)
USAFA Graduation flyover
US Olympic Training Center - Swimming and Gymnastics
June,
2004 (click here)
Last Month the Masters, this month The Kentucky Derby......I
love my job
May,
2004 (click here)
Masters at Augusta National
April,
2004 (click here)
The American Cup Gymnastics
NIKON COLLEGE WORKSHOP
March,
2004 (click here)
Indoor Track and Field
Women's Freestyle Wresting
Rhythmic Gymnastics Nationals
The Glass Flower Ceiling at the Belagio Hotel in Las Vegas
February,
2004 (click here)
College Basketball
Women's Waterpolo
Olympic swimmers on their way to Athens
January,
2004 (click here)
NFL Football
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Finals
A look back at The Greenbay Professionals
December,
2003
Monday Night Football the Sports Shooter Workshop and Luau in
LA
November,
2003
Photography at the Summit workshop
October,
2003
Portraits to workshops to stock image sales
September,
2003
Lightpainting in Banf
The World Gymnastics Championships
August,
2003
International Gymnastics Camp
July,
2003
Thunderbirds
Gymnastics
The Sports Photography Workshop with Rich Clarkson
Velodrome Cycling, More
June, 2003
The 129th running of the Kentucky Derby
White water kayakers
The Champions on Ice tour
May,
2003 (click here)
PBR Rodeo
Chris Shivers and Little Yellow Jacket ride for $1 Million
April,
2003 (click here)
Nikon's featured speaker at PMA in Las Vegas
American Cup Gymnastics
USAFA Women's Basketball
USAFA Swimming
USAFA Boxing
NCAA Fencing Championships
March,
2003 (click here)
USOC's Titan Games
February,
2003 (click here)
Air Force Basketball
Pro Football Pre-Superball Stock Sales
Swimmers train at the Swim Flume at the USOC
Much more!
January,
2003 (click here)
Diving at the Air Force Academy
Denver Broncos VS. The Arizona Cardinals
Olympic Hopefuls Lenny Krayzelberg and Tom Molchow practice
at the USOC
