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Photography, sports and life as seen through the lens of Seattle Times photographer Rod Mar.

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August 19, 2008 10:25 AM

Olympics: Seeing More Than Medals.

Posted by Rod Mar

After a week of being laser-locked in the medal pursuits of Michael Phelps, the rhythm and pace of the Olympics has definitely changed.

Sure, there are many medals yet to be decided, but in reality, many of the marquee events have come and gone.

These would include Phelps, the men's and women's team gymnastics contests, the individual all-arounds in gymnastics and also the men's 100 meter dash.

That's not to say that basketball, volleyball, track, and the remainder of the events aren't important. They're all important (okay -- maybe all of them but trampoline -- seriously? Let me get this straight -- if you bounce up and down on your parent's bed, it's go straight to your room without any dessert. But if you do it on a trampoline you can get a gold medal?)

My point is this: Entire countries (like the USA with Phelps and China with gymnastics) won't be hanging on every result this week.

Given that, I've really tried to take a good look around at the events I'm covering. What is there besides the winners and the losers? What can I see beyond the peak action?

Here's some of what I found:

At water polo, there is an underwater viewing window. Chinese players swimming near the surface are reflected in the water above them:



(Nikon D3, 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 800, 1/1000th sec.,f2.8)

There are countless staff and volunteers at these Games. This poor young man had to sit in the dark and dank basement of the water polo venue waiting for curious photographers to show up. He's lit by the glow of the pool as he reads a book in his subterranean workspace:



(Nikon D3, 70-200mm/f2.8 lens @ 110mm, ISO 2000, 1/25th sec.,f4.0)

In the mixed zone (where reporters and athletes "mix" for interviews) at the rowing venue, a member of the media staff holds up a sign asking for the end of interviews so that the medal ceremonies can begin:



(Nikon D3, 24-70mm/f2.8 lens @ 24mm, ISO 800, 1/800th sec.,f5.6)

During the USA gold medal ceremony, members of the women's eight are reflected in the waters of the Shunyi Olympic Rowing park as they stand at attention for the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and the raising of the American flag:



(Nikon D3, 70-200mm/f2.8 lens @ 200mm, ISO 400, 1/320th sec.,f2.8)

At the Bird's Nest, a custom painted radio-controlled car is one of two being used to transport the discuses (again, is it "discii"?) from the landing area back to the discus cage:



(Nikon D3, VR 600mm/f4.0 lens, ISO 2000, 1/800th sec.,f4.0)

On the pitch well after the USA women defeated Japan in the semifinals, USA midfielder Shannon Box plays with Riley Rampone, daughter of teammate Christie Rampone:



(Nikon D3, VR 600mm/f4.0 lens + 1.4x extender = 840mm, ISO 3200, 1/800th sec.,f5.6)

Finally, a rose, floating in the pool at the Water Cube (left over from Michael Phelps' final medals ceremony) is gracefully picked up by a member of the Canadian synchronized swimming team that had just entered the water for practice:



(Nikon D3, VR 600mm/f4.0 lens, ISO 1000, 1/320th sec.,f4.0)

Hope you enjoy these images. I have to fight not to get so locked into action images that I forget that balance is everything, even in silly pursuits like sports photography.

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Posted by Pete

11:04 AM, Aug 19, 2008

Great shots, and a nice way to balance the hustle and bustle of the games.

Posted by Crystal

11:11 AM, Aug 19, 2008

Again, another really nice set of photos that capture the otherside of the games. I really liked the rose photo, but admit the remote control car for the disci is my favorite. Especially because it is a special paint job. I checked the dictionary for you. It is "discuses" in English and "disci" in Latin.

Posted by Bryan Mitchell

11:17 AM, Aug 19, 2008

Great job now that you can pick and choose more. Are you thinking about shooting the mountain bike race and/or BMX.
If you do please post up with photos and the challenges of shooting it. Usually access is good but who knows at the Olympics. -Bryan/www.mountainbikephotographer.com

Posted by James

11:33 AM, Aug 19, 2008

Super work! I see that you're utilizing the high ISO capabilities of that Nikon gear. As an avid Canon shooter, I look forward to hearing your opinions.

Cheers!

Posted by Colin Krieg

12:25 PM, Aug 19, 2008

I must say Rod, off of the strobist.com website there are links to about 15 or so photographer blogs that are at the Olympics. I have gone through all of them a number of times and I throughly enjoy yours byfar the most! The descriptions of everything, the exif info, the photos you capture. All of it is fantastic! Keep up the great work! :)

- Colin

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