Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

SteveHopson — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:03:04 GMT

Vincent, your photographs are nothing short of incredible. Thanks for sharing them and sharing so much information about how you've worked to create them -- details such as your photos of the remote camera positions and seeing your packing process really help us to know the scale of the effort that is required to create such great pieces of art. I hope you have an opportunity for some relaxation after all this effort -- it was totally worth it.

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

LOREN-AZ — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:28:27 GMT

Vincent,

As a photography enthusiast I read the usual group of blogs. Your's is great. Very fresh, non-ego, a dash of technical hints, some humor and photos that make me say, 'wow.' Newsweek picked the right guy!

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

gralist — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:30:15 GMT

Vincent, I have throughly enjoyed reading your blog. I don't think I have ever watched as much television, read as many news stories or looked at as many photographs of an event in my life. I realize it was blogs like yours that made all the difference, made it such a vicarious experience, made me seek out even more coverage. So thanks.

For years now I have been reading about how bloggers would be taking over journalism someday, but could never picture what that would be like. Now after my own experience reading them these past two weeks, I can finally see, as you said in your final Olympic blog, how people will seek out their own interests on niche blogs (though, I still can't see how the smaller bloggers - unlike photojournalists at small newspapers - will make money doing it).

I know I will be repeating my new habit as the two national political conventions get underway, joining all the political junkies in cyberspace. Unfortunately there aren't any good presidential campaign photo blogs out there yet - until David Burnett's flight arrives in Denver from Beijing!

By the way, while reading all the photo blogs from the Olympics, I compiled a pretty extensive list of links. If you want to catch up, they are all collected in one place at :

http://blogs.phillynews.com/inquirer/sceneonroad/2008/08/olympic_photographer_blogs.html

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

laanba — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:58:37 GMT

Vincent, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts on blogging. You are discovering something that many bloggers have known for a long time. There is the opportunity for people to talk about their specialized interest and be successful. In the blogging world you don't have to cater to the masses. You talk about what you want and people of a like mind will find you. You build your own audience. And it doesn't really matter if your audience is 10 or 10,000. You can develop a community of your own.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts and viewing your images. I have your Wordpress blog in my news reader and I look forward to following along with your other adventures. Cheers to you on an excellent Olympics.

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

ConcertPhotog — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:02:00 GMT

Fantastic job covering the Olympics Vincent! You've really been an inspiration and have produced some stunning photos too :-)

-Christian James

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

nsrh — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:28:37 GMT

Vincent

Thank you for your excellent blog it's been a pleasure reading your blog and viewing some of your excellent pictures. I hope to read more from you in the future.

Have a safe journey home/

With kindest regards

NIGEL (U.K.)

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

fiskfisk — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 20:32:22 GMT

Just wanted to thank you all for the great moments, the incredible amounts of photo insight shared and some of the best images ever from any of the olympics.

It's been great to be able to follow the olympics from behind the scenes! Have a good trip home, and hopefully we'll get the same, just a bit colder, experience in 2010!

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Nondo — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:10:12 GMT

Vincent, I usually avoid blogs but I couldn't stay away from yours. I found it incredibly interesting and it was great to learn the stories behind some of the memorable photographs. Maybe there were times when you would have rather taken a quick nap on that bus ride home instead of writing a new blog entry but I'm certainly glad it was done.

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

jagdow — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:17:27 GMT

It has been an absolute pleasure reading this and the other two photoblogs the past two weeks and I will miss them. Thanks for making such a huge effort. I never thought some of the most memorable performances of the Games would come right here on these pages !

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

alanaj — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:19:11 GMT

Vincent, The photo blog was the absolute highlight of the Olympics for me. I loved the photos (stunning) and all the insight into the photography behind it and what being a photographer at the event was like. Thanks for all the time and thought you put into the photos and the writing. I hope Newsweek will consider doing this at other major events!

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

ptumason — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:27:45 GMT

My jaw has been on the floor the past 2 weeks. as an amateur photographer (my father is a pro) i cannot tell you how inspiring your images and your journals have been. there is no feeling of "being left out" after this olympics because of these posts. thank you!

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

MarcoTogni.it — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:29:31 GMT

Thank you Vincent.

Probably you have read some of my comments and you know how much this blog has been important for me during the past 2 weeks. It quite changed my life. Thank you.

Obviously I will always keep in my feedreader this blog and your personal blog, and I really hope to read some news from you soon.

I think your son must be proud of you and of the wonderful photo you took of him as Superman.

I hope you had a nice flight at coming back to NY.

See you!

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Patrick_J — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:03:30 GMT

Vincent,

How can I differentiate this post from the others? I feel your struggle to find the different angle!

Kudos to Newsweek for having the foresight to take three amazing individual photographers (a dream team, no doubt), and turning them loose to capture the essence of the games,through images and your very personal accounts of the challenges you faced each day. To see and read about the hows and whys have helped me to think about how I can improve my images and learn a new approach to my photography. And to hear the thinking of the photo editors was invaluable as well.

Thanks for the time you, Donald, and Mike have put into your work. Truly, it has been an enjoyable two weeks. For me, it was a learning experience each day. It was my first stop of the day, every day. (Memo to Newsweek marketing types - it worked!)

Now, hopefully, you can get caught up on your sleep!

Thanks a million.

Best to you,

Patrick_J

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Adam Leahy — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:51:57 GMT

I love your lead photo today, nice color composition! I'm a part time pro-photographer and high school photography teacher, and I have enjoyed your insight and story. I'll link you to my class website, and during our photojournalism unit I'll use your blog for some examples. I'm glad you mentioned that you enjoyed hearing from us in the blogesphere, it makes me feel more connected and happy to have helped motivate you in some way. Cool! You are new to blogging, welcome! My first hook into blogging was a powerful one, I can't remember the name of it but it was written by a teen age girl in Bagdad during the first 6 months of our invasion. It was like the Diary of Anne Frank, incredibly written, personal, not political in anyway, mundane sometimes and gave perspective and insight...then disappeared. It changed my life.

Blog brother blog, Adam

P.S. I got to you from Chase Jarvis' superb blog.

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Vincent Laforet — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:10:15 GMT

Hi guys and gals! I made it past customs - and I'm waiting for my flight out - few! what a relief! $900 in overweight baggage charges (ouch.) And did I mention I made it through customs? They started doing the thing where they ask you to pull out every single piece of gear and match the serial number on the customs form... I had a nice little talk with them and the custom agent finally said - show me one camera and match the serial number - and I was through... this was AFTER the bus dropped me off at the wrong terminal and I had unloaded 6 bags/cases!!!! Luckily I came to the airport 5 hours before my flight... 3 hours and 20 minutes 'til wheels up.

Than to Marco, Nigel and all of the other regulars - not to mention newcomers - who've posted on this blog! I'll continue to blog on my personal blog from hereon out - and look to see some of you there - cheers! v

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Andrew250cc — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:21:39 GMT

I just wanted to thank you, Donald and Mike for providing such a great insight into what goes on to cover such a momentous event. It really has added a very personal touch and I have found myself coming here rather than watching TV coverage.

As a photographer it has really opened my eyes to what it takes to cover a 3 week event, it's always comforting to find out that the feelings one gets as a photographer sometimes are not just their own but are shared by every other photographer (the days when nothing seems to go your way, motivation levels etc..).

I'm glad that you have come out of it on a positive note having taken more away from the experience.

I will definitely continue to follow your personal blog. I first came accross that one because it was posted on Strobist as a blog to keep an eye on, as I recognized your name from SportShooter I decided to check it out and have been plastered to it everyday since!

Keep up the good work, hopefully we can do this again from Vancouver!

Andrew

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

NaomiLBarrett — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:25:45 GMT

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to making this Olympics the best I've remember'd in a very long time. I'm an aspiring sports photographer/photojournalist and through your blog (as well as Donald's and Mike's) I feel more energized than ever.... Thank you SO much for your insight and thanks for letting me "live the dream" through the Dream Team.

I'll be checking back periodically... Happy Recovery!

--Naomi from MN

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Charles Carstensen — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 03:57:03 GMT

All the blogs have been a terrific companion to watching every night on TV. This last feed is the best, and great writing goes well with your terrific photography. Thanks very very much to Simon Barnett for making this happen. You, Donald, and Mike are Number One in my book.

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Arturo.Bandini — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:01:06 GMT

Not only have you been providing us every day with a wonderful set of photographic work but with a good reading too. Thank you all Donald, Vincent and Mike for your hard work, and Simon for his comments on the Picture of the Day.

Really, you work is truly inspiring, and it changed the way I was seeing sport photographs till now.

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

fotorocker — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:05:22 GMT

Vincent - thanks for these posts..it was a real pleasure following the hapening in Beijing and your adventures. Images and stories are stunning and i checked this blog several times a day just watching if there is something new posted.

Best regards and thanks

Miro

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

rmatichak — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:47:57 GMT

Hey Vincent, thanks for everything. It was very insightful and informative.

I agree that this (blogging/photoblogging) is the way of the future. I hope that you will promote this form of communication on you future gigs.

Thanks again. Get some rest, hug your kids & wife!.

Regards,

Robert Matichak

http://www.matichakblog.com

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Silverhalide — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:50:51 GMT

Vincent,

I want to thank you and Donald and Mike for all the great photos. (And thanks to Simon as well).

It was fascinating reading about everything that went into the images, and nice to get a view of the Olympics that hasn't been thoroughly sanitized by the IOC, the BOC, or the broadcasters. I really enjoyed reading about the lengths you guys go to to get a shot, especially one that tells a different story from all the thousands of other photographers out there. As an amateur photographer, it was intereresting comparing your thought processes, pressures, and problems with my much more limited experiences.

I hope you get a little downtime to recharge before your next assignment. And as for the next Olympics, well, we're already here waiting for you in Vancouver. See you in 18 months.

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

jgray101 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:37:44 GMT

Vincent, Thanks for your thoughtful posts and great photos over the past two weeks. Your technical post about packing and traveling with all that gear really put into perspective the amount of planning that goes into covering a sporting event of this magnitude. Perhaps the IOC should add a weighlifting category for photo gear.

I would also like to thank you for the most interesting photos that you take with the tilt shift lenses. Cruising photo sites about a month ago, I came across your shots covering tennis and the overhead photo of the airport. I showed them to my wife and she seemed convinced they were staged miniature photos. I did not agree with her but could not prove otherwise. I did a little more surfing and found your technical explanation. What a great perspective.

Now comes the post olympic photo depression. Again, thank you.

Regards,

Jgray

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

pear — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:35:18 GMT

Vincent

Sincere thanks for all your hard work in putting together an absolutely memorable photoblog.

I enjoyed your coverage immensely and marvelled at the skill you displayed in capturing those brilliant images.

Regards

Bruce

Melbourne, Australia

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

rob.williams — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:17:33 GMT

Thank you to everyone in involved in this exciting experiment. As an amateur photographer, the images are inspiring and the expertise is enlightening. Thanks to Simon and everyone at Newsweek associated with this blog. Donald, Mike and Vincent all deserve gold medals in the new sport of Olympic photoblogging.

Rob

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Michael Carney — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:09:13 GMT

Thank you very much Vincent for sharing your experience with us. Your blog has not only shown the behind the scenes of the journalistic world of world-wide events, but has inspired me to continue on with my decision to become a professional photographer, and to search a little harder and a little deeper for "the shot" while working for my school's paper.

Thank you again,

Michael Carney

Indiana

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Noah77 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:24:20 GMT

I don't usually read blogs...or anything with alot of text on screen as my mind often wanders. Stumbled across your blog and LOVE it. Have been tuning in every day to read your latest posts.

As a training photojournalist, I understand everything you are saying (and have learnt one or two things along the way) and thourghly enjoyed reading your coverage of the Olympics. Hope to be there myself one day!

Excellent photos, your hard work and dedication really shows! It's really refreshing to see a sports photojournalist who takes an extra step to get the best shots possible, instead of taking the same shots as everyone else.

Thanks,

Noah

London, England

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Noah77 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:24:49 GMT

I don't usually read blogs...or anything with alot of text on screen as my mind often wanders. Stumbled across your blog and LOVE it. Have been tuning in every day to read your latest posts.

As a training photojournalist, I understand everything you are saying (and have learnt one or two things along the way) and thoroughly enjoyed reading your coverage of the Olympics. Hope to be there myself one day!

Thanks,

Noah

London, England

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

laozhou — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 07:37:47 GMT

"In the final analysis, photography is not your photographs is good or bad, but in that moment to share with others."

I think that picture will be a picture blog editors editing picture of a new channel.

Nanjing, China an amateur photographers

re: Farewell Beijing - it’s been a “Dream Job” to cover these Olympics

Alain Davreux — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:36:44 GMT

Dear "dream team",

As for many readers, it has been a real pleasure to go through those pages and share with you a glimpse at the olympic dream as well as the photojournalist job.

Time for a little feedback,and some big thanks.

As a photographer myself, I really appreciated the insight about the job : the exif info, lens choice and remote camera talk (hey, some day soon you'll get the remote liveview sent through wifi to your main camera, that will make things easier), angle/acess/timming discusion as been very interesting and really original. I don't do much sport but often shoot some japanese dancers and will clearly think again about all the tricks you gave.

The fact that you did show your fatigue and weakness in this photo marathon has also played a big part on the human dimension of the blog and has been really appreciated. I can find my own experience in much of what you're saying and learned a lot, so thanks again.

As everyone I found the pictures stunings, the fredom and pleasure you've had clearly shows in the subjects, angles, timming and composition of the pictures you choosed to show. Buy the way you could have posted a more if you wanted, I don't feel the articles lacks images but more of them would not be bad either.

Although you've all made superb images, I think the one I will remember long is the drop of blood on the judo floor that Vincent shot. In my photographies (mostly from japan) I also search for unusual composition of over-shot subject (think gesiha for example) and therefore often have to rely on small details to show my subject, so that little drop of blood really made it for me. It shows a rare sight of the olympics reality, in an original way, and has a lot of emotion (his is badly hurt ? is he loosing? ...). So that one in particular will stay in my mind.

I hope you'll keep up the good work and that you're enjoying some well earned holidays. I'll extend my thanks to the Newsweek team and wish that this kind of quality photo blogging experience will continue to develop.

Thanks again to all of you

Alain

http://www.alaindavreux.com/

PS I hope you'll excuse my poor english !