Thursday, February 18, 2010

For the blog



Here is an email I got from Gerry last night. I sent an email back asking for some pics for the blog, meantime you can go here to see shots from last night.

Back in my room after a very long day. It was crazy cool to sit with Shaun White on the bus this morning. I was thinking, I'm sitting here chatting up the guy that's gonna win the gold medal tonight. He was jammin with his ipod out loud, I wished him luck, and we exchanged a little fist bump. I asked him about the halfpipe they built for him in Colorado. He was very talkative and was as nice as you would think. I really wanted badly to get his autograph, but I'm privileged to be in such a position, and I feel like I shouldn't impose (journalists shouldn't do that in my opinion, and I always think it's cheesy when I see a writer or photographer do that. Plus, the guy gets enough of that) I was impressed he treated me like he would had we just met on the slopes somewhere, which is really what it feels like to see this guy. He's absolutely amazing snowboarder and a hell of a nice person. It was very cool, and I'm usually not in awe of any of these famous people I shoot...including the Potus and all the others. I had a good day behind the camera, very long, but typical of assignments like this. Got on the shuttle at 9am at my hotel, got back around 11:30 pm. Once we were in position at noon, shot qualifying, semis- and finals, and didn't get off the snow till probably 8. Had about 2 pee breaks and ate a snickers, 2 cliff bars and a granola bar. (one I split with Streeter cause he was starving) had one bottle of water that a saved till the end cause I didn't want to have to pee again. Couldn't really leave anyway. But the pictures just kept coming. Kept looking at my camera settings between every run to make absolutely 100% sure I was not screwing anything up (and then all the stuff that can go wrong). My Mac was wired into the inside server (we have the best techs, setting this technology up up to a month before we arrive) and I'd shoot, and injest, images went right to the editor, Odd Anderson, who did an amazing edit with so many images coming at him (2 other shooters) I had the straight on look into the pipe, it didn't make the cleanest photos, but the react was right in front of me. And it was good damn "jube" as we call it. Some of the best I've seen at these games. I really have only seen a small portion of probably a couple thousand images I made. Used a 400mm 2.8 on all the jumps, and the 70-200 on everything else. The Mark IV is the best digital camera I've had yet. Glad we got these before the games. Got your package, thanks! Can't wait to listen to Dave Grohl, the candy is already bout gone! Will call later. Tell Wes I was a proud daddy watching the vid of her playing piano. Hate I missed the new Cole Park. I'm getting stoked about seeing them at Shakori Hills.

9 comments:

Ron said...

Totally cool! I watched Shaun White take the gold last night. It's great to hear from Gerry that he really is a nice guy. It would suck if he was a jerk with an attitude.

Judy Shreve said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Judy Shreve said...

It is so neat to have this front row seat to the Olympics this year. Gerry's account of the long day is priceless. I also watched Shaun White take the GOLD!

I watched an interesting 'up-close' segment about snowboarding & the first guys to do it. They had to sneak on the mountain - they were considered to rogue to even be allowed on the mountain. They had make-shift equipment & hiked up (sometimes at night) to get their runs in. Truly amazing how far they've come.

Tracey Broome said...

Ron, I know what you mean, you just have to hope he isn't a jerk! Judy, I have seen that story about the guys that used to sneak on the Mt. I remember 16 years ago when we were boarding, the skiers would be rude to us. The sport has certainly come a long way! Hopefully Ger will send some pics for me soon.

ang design said...

thats so cool thanks for sharing trace, i did see some of the speed skating last night but that's about it, i see more on your page...heheh

cookingwithgas said...

What a boat load of memories Gerry will come home with!

Hollis Engley said...

That's great reporting by Gerry. It is always cool when you find out these big stars are just nice people.

Anonymous said...

i think gerri's reports back from the olympics are just as interesting as the olympics. amazing pics of shaun white with the flag.

Tracey Broome said...

Thanks for the comments everyone, I passed them on to Ger, I know he appreciates it!