Behind the Lens at the Beijing Olympics

Photo Services Drops the Ball

It’s now day six of competition, and my work in an official capacity at the Olympics has come to an end. You may remember that I’m here as part of a delegation of international volunteers, and for the past few weeks I’ve been working at the road cycling course. I had hoped to transfer to another venue after the final cycling competition this past Wednesday, but to my dismay, photo mangers that I’ve spoken to say that their venues are full, or that it’s impossible to obtain the accreditation I would need to access their venue.

A transfer to the Main Press Center was also in the works, but I was told on Wednesday that the “upgrade card” I’d need to get inside would not be issued. I’d been given access to the MPC before, including once for a welcome party for photographers, and gaining access wasn’t a problem then -- a Kodak representative requested a guest pass on short notice -- but when I requested to work at the MPC as a volunteer, where they desperately need more native English speakers, accessing the MPC is no longer a possibility.

I agree with management -- that there are too many volunteers -- but for BOCOG to bring us all the way to China for two months to work for three days seems like a huge misallocation of resources.

Meanwhile, photographers have been calling me and sending emails, even from the MPC where BOCOG claims there are too many volunteers, for information about getting to venues, scheduling, and how to deal with the Chinese staff. From what I’ve heard from photographers, BOCOG desperately needs more English speaking volunteers, and I’ve made it clear that I, along with other native English speakers, am more than willing to help.

Photographers are having a tough time communicating with the Chinese staff, but the language barrier is only half of the issue. More often that not, the flow of information is nonexistent until it’s already too late -- Vincent Laforet shares a perfect example on Newsweek’s “Visions of China” blog, from a failed attempt at shooting fireworks at the Great Wall during the opening ceremony. The cycling photo staff, myself included, had no idea that there would be fireworks at our venue until photographers began to arrive hoping to shoot them.

I’m optimistic that BOCOG Photo Services will come to their senses and bring on a few idle English-speaking volunteers to help get clear information to the photographers in a timely manner, making everyone’s lives much less stressful. But for now, I’m going to sit back and enjoy BOCOG’s free tickets to the Olympics, acting as a “filler” to give the appearance to those watching at home that “sold out” events really were sold out.

SLR Cameras Allowed at Olympic Venues

A few weeks ago, I was originally told with 100% certainty, and confirmed on BOCOG’s website, that professional photography equipment would not be allowed into the Olympic venues. Recently, however, I noticed that professional photography equipment wasn’t on the banned list at the venues, so today I decided to try my luck at bringing an SLR through security.

I had a general admission beach volleyball ticket for this morning, so I packed my Olympus E-520, 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens, and 1.4x teleconverter in a large messenger bag, and headed over to the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground. Before I went through security, I took the camera out of the bag and ran it through the x-ray machine individually, so there wouldn’t be any chance of it sneaking through without someone noticing. They noticed my E-520, but handed it back to me after it passed through the belt. One guard even complimented my choice of equipment.

Once I was in the venue, I spent the first few minutes shooting from my upper level seat, before walking down to an empty seat in the front row. I shot an entire game from directly behind a photo position, only a few feet from the court. When the seat’s occupant returned, I went up to a camera platform, and was even allowed to shoot from there without security asking any questions. I never took out my credential the whole time, and was not wearing a photo vest.

A friend also told me today that he was able to enter the Olympic Green with a Nikon D300 and 17-55mm f/2.8 lens, without any questions from security. He didn’t bring his gear into any of the venues on the Green, but noted that spectators only pass through security when they first enter the Olympic Common Domain, not before entering individual venues. Please post a comment if you’ve successfully brought equipment into other venues, but at this point I don’t anticipate any issues.

Kodak, Nikon and Canon Host Party for Photographers

With athletes representing 200 countries at the Olympics, the Main Press Center is a melting pot for top photographers from around the world. Three of the biggest names in cameras united to host a party for accredited photographers at the MPC tonight, bringing the world’s top sports shooters together to enjoy some popular Chinese finger foods. With less than 48 hours to go before Opening Ceremony, photographers trickled in throughout the evening, already scrambling to scout venues, prepare equipment, and get some rest before 14 days of back-to-back assignments. Old friends took some time to catch up, and first-time Olympics shooters shook hands and swapped cards with the best in the business. I’m starting to realize that I’m here -- at the Olympics -- it doesn’t get much bigger than this.

Working in the MPC

Venue Media Centers will provide photographers with essential services such as Internet access, pay phones, beverages, and universal power outlets. Photo lockers and laptop computer cable locks are also available at no charge for daily use. When not transmitting images from location, photographers can take advantage of additional services in the Main Press Center, including Apple Mac Pro workstations, film processing, restaurants, shops, a fitness center, library, hairdresser, and even a massage parlor providing free massages. Canon, Nikon, and Kodak also provide services in the MPC.

Your first stop at the MPC should be the rate card office, as wired and wireless Internet connections at the MPC and venues require a rate card for use. If you happen to arrive at a VMC without a rate card, your only option may be to return to the MPC to purchase one. Pay phone cards and China Mobile vending machines are offered at other venues, but rate cards must be purchased at the MPC. There’s also a McDonalds outside the MPC photo workroom, so you can get your Big Mac fix without exiting the Olympic Green.

Canon and Nikon Professional Services in Beijing

As with previous Olympics, CPS and NPS will offer loan, repair, and technical services at the Main Press Center during the Games. Photographers will have access to camera bodies and lenses while taking advantage of free equipment repair services. CPS and NPS will also have limited loaner equipment available for short-term evaluation.

CPS will be available to accredited professional photographers and CPS members during the Olympics at the MPC in Beijing, and at the Qingdao Sailing Press Center and Hong Kong Equestrian Press Center. MPC services will be available beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 4 and will run through the end of the Games on August 28. CPS will be open from 9:00-17:00 through August 7, with normal hours of 7:00-23:00 beginning on August 8.

NPS will operate on the same schedule, with regular hours (7:00-23:00) beginning on August 7 instead of August 8. Because of import restrictions in China, loaner equipment from both CPS and NPS will be in shorter supply than in the past, so depending on availability, bodies and lenses may only be allowed out on loan while a photographer’s equipment is being repaired, and not for the duration of the Games. Photographers should visit CPS and NPS in the MPC with any questions, as representatives may not respond to emails until after the Olympics.

If you’re a professional photographer not covering the Olympics and would like more information on joining CPS and NPS for free equipment loans, rush repair services, and service discounts, email CPS or visit the NPS website.

A selection equipment available at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Photo provided by NPS.

The View From My Office: Juyongguan Great Wall

During the Olympics, I’ll be working with photographers at the Road Cycling Course (CRC) venue, answering whatever questions they may have. Several days ago, I visited the starting line of the CRC, but for the first time in Olympic history, the race does not run in a complete loop -- the finish line, located at Juyongguan Great Wall, is 78.8 km from the starting point. Most of my time will be spent in the photo workroom, located just off the press workroom seen below. There will be 30 stations for photographers in the photo workroom with 18 large equipment lockers, and 126 stations for media in the press workroom. Both workrooms are located in a four-star hotel at Juyongguan, and are spacious and well lit. Wired Internet connections, cable television (with CNN, BBC, and for whatever reason -- HBO), mobile phone charging stations (compatibility details to come later), copy machines, snacks and beverages will be available in the workrooms.

This is by far one of the most scenic venues, and photographers will be able to shoot the race with the Great Wall of China as their backdrop. I climbed the Wall (about 50 minutes to the top) to see if I’d be able to get a nice overall view of the finish line and venue complex, but the view is obstructed and the hike involves steep stairs and narrow passageways -- I couldn’t imagine hauling equipment up there without a lot of help (and plenty of water). Several of the photo positions -- seen at the bottom right of the image below -- are right by the finish line, but don’t provide for much of a view. Other positions are available and photographers may be able to shoot from open seats in the stands as well. There are a total of 132 photo positions at the starting point (near the Temple of Heaven in Beijing) and 120 at the finish line.

While not designated as a photo position, a short walk beyond the entrance to the Great Wall will bring you to a section of the wall (seen below) that will offer a great view of the athletes as they approach Juyongguan. If the Wall is accessible during the race, there will be plenty of time to reposition while cyclists complete several laps before finishing the race.