Choosing the right photo position for you.

Ah, Olympic photo positions, lots of fun and the position a photographer  takes depends on each photographer.

For instance, at the swimming venue there are 14 photo positions, and by position, I mean an area that can hold as little as two photographers to as many as 200.

Of those 14 positions about half are available, some are swimming specific, some diving and some synchro.

Position 2 at swimming pictured above is a popular spot as it is close to the Start/Finish line for swimming. It is a nice angle on the starts and offers a great view of the jubo or dejection. The position does have it limitations: there are three officials sitting to the left that block the view down the pool for people in the bottom rows as well as some railings that block the view for the people on the left side of the tribune.

The position has a limited amount of seating, around 50 photographers, each sitting in one seat with a long lens (300 or 400) and a shorter zoom (80-200) and a laptop!

And because this is such a high-demand position you have to show up at the venue at least two hours before the session to line up for a ticket and then are escorted in 30 minutes before the event.

Things I consider when choosing a photo position are:

Is it a final? At some venues, like swimming, you cannot move between positions during competition.

Which lane/diving board/piste/track/etc. is the Canadian Athlete competing on?

Where is Michael Phelps?

How much of the Field of Play can I cover?

How clean are the backgrounds?

Where is Michael Phelps?

How much space do I have?

Will my pictures be different but good from the masses?

Which lenses did I bring with me?

And where is Michael Phelps?

At swimming I've shot mostly from the number one position, but also explored a high position for one session.

Lucas has shot from the number two position and Richard from the number one position, but, higher up and closer to the starting area. Both with great results.

Yesterday when rowing was cancelled because of rain, I was looking for something to shoot, I arrived at the pool after the program had started and inquired about the below water positions. There were positions available, but, there was water on the floor.

I jumped at it since my feet were already soaked from rowing!

And here is the view of the hallwall under the pool and one of the many photo assistants.

-Steve Russell