Best Seat in the House
Photography, sports and life as seen through the lens of Seattle Times photographer Rod Mar.
August 10, 2008 9:00 PM
Olympics: Phelps Goes Gold Again
Posted by Rod Mar
USA's Michael Phelps just won his second gold medal as he and the rest of the 4x100 freestyle squad smashed a world record in a dramatic come-from-behind win.
I just finished transmitting on deadline from the Water Cube, and thought I'd do a quick little post of photos from the event (if these photos aren't toned very well, I moved them quickly back to the paper -- in fact, they had them 10 minutes after the race).
Jason Lezak had the swim of a lifetime as he erased a lead in the final 50 meters to seal the gold medal.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender = 550mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000th sec.,f4.0)
Up on the pool deck, Phelps and teammate Garrett Weber-Gale celebrated wildly.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender = 550mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000th sec.,f4.0)
The judges in the backgrounds are always a challenge:

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender = 550mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000th sec.,f4.0)
A group hug after Lezak exited the pool made a nice frame, but the judge kinda messes with the background again.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender = 550mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000th sec.,f4.0)
My first assignment before the Phelps race was to shoot local swimmer Megan Jendrick in the breast stroke.

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender = 550mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000th sec.,f4.0)

(Nikon D3, VR 400mm/f2.8 lens + 1.4 extender = 550mm, ISO 1600, 1/1000th sec.,f4.0)
Yesterday, I'd shot from low to the pool deck, so today I'd chosen a high position looking down the lanes. I was in a good position to see her come out of the water on each stroke. It's hard, but I try to keep in mind shooting from different angles, even if I have to choose an angle that might not be "the best."
In this case, it worked out. Jendrick finished fourth in her heat to advance to the medal finals. I liked the angle and decided it would be good for the relay since I'd shot Phelps from low yesterday.
Now, where's breakfast?
Posted by Steven
12:15 AM, Aug 11, 2008
Lezak was amazing coming back from half a body length down. Those are some great pictures. Thanks!
Posted by harold
12:24 AM, Aug 11, 2008
Rod, you are doing a wonderful job with this blog. I'm eternally grateful for this insider's look at your job, particularly knowing the problems you're having with internet access!
Posted by harold
12:27 AM, Aug 11, 2008
... and your photos might not be perfectly toned but yowser, that Phelps guy certainly is!
Posted by Alan
8:02 AM, Aug 11, 2008
Rod, great stuff!
Posted by Ralph
6:17 AM, Aug 12, 2008
My compliments on the photographs but what I most appreciate is the commentary on making them. The best thing of all is to watch and listen as a professional applies rigorous, perhaps harsh and exaggerated standards to his own work, staying critical, even dismissive, of images most people would be proud to show. That's a far more important lesson to teach by example than how to adjust the exposure.
Aug 11, 08 - 08:49 PM
Olympics: Michael Phelps Wins Gold, is Overexposed.
Aug 11, 08 - 09:25 AM
Olympics: Foiled Again.
Aug 10, 08 - 11:57 PM
Olympics: Phelps Wasn't the Only One in the Pool
Aug 10, 08 - 09:00 PM
Olympics: Phelps Goes Gold Again
Aug 10, 08 - 08:40 AM
Olympics: Dunk You Very Much

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Posted by Gar
12:06 AM, Aug 11, 2008
A fantastic race, and some very memorable shots you got there! Awesome.