Photos: Kurt Browning's Gotta Skate

[Teenes]

The monopod is an arm saver but can really interfere with mobility. If you see photos of mine with a crooked horizon (or edge of the rink), I was probably using the monopod.

the Panasonic was a point-and-shoot I got b/c it had 12x optical zoom and supposed f/2.8 through the range of the lens, but I think the sensor was just too small. Very very noisy/grainy photos. Rather disappointing. Though I think for a point and shoot and casual shooting it wasn't terrible. IIRC, this is the event where I used it:
Vancouver SOI 2004

I was probably spoiled b/c earlier in the year I had borrowed a coworker's Canon something (I forget which he had):
San Jose SOI 2004

I finally splurged and went SLR after that.

 

[Tonichelle]

SLRs are the way to go, no question... I hate point and shoot digitals...

I have the Canon XT... and I love it... I need a higher quality lens, though, I'm not happy with the one I have lol

 

[Teenes]

Lenses are where all your money gets spent =).

Some places rent lenses so for short trips, that can be useful. I did that for a while before I finally gave in and bought the expensive lens for skating.

 

[John King]

Great pictures - looks like a fun show!

Did Sasha buy herself some new boobs????? Holy moly!

No, I have it on reliable information that she stuffed Ice-cream into her bra

 

[all that]

No, I have it on reliable information that she stuffed Ice-cream into her bra

That must have been cold!

 

[vintagefigureskater]

Thanks very much for sharing your photos Teenes. They are gorgeous. I really get the feeling of what it must have been like to be there. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy actually “seeing” the show on TV after watching it most of it through the viewfinder, LOL.

Got a Canon 30D with a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens. And these days I tend to use a monopod when I can because my arms are pathetically weak and this setup is fairly heavy =).

After many years of renting lenses, I finally caved in and bought an 80-200 f2.8 IS. Yowza, it is a heavy sucker (seems even heavier the non-IS model I had been renting). If you don’t mind me asking, which monopod do you use, and how do you use it while sitting in the arena? My first event this year is Skate Canada and I have a feeling that after 3 days of shooting with this baby I’m going to need someone to feed and dress me, LOL.

 

[Teenes]

I’m sure you’re going to enjoy actually “seeing” the show on TV after watching it most of it through the viewfinder, LOL.

*Whistles innocently* I don't know what you're talking about .

There are advantages and disadvantages to watching a show primarily through the viewfinder. Advantage = zoom. Disadvantage = missing stuff when more than one skater is on the ice.

If you don’t mind me asking, which monopod do you use, and how do you use it while sitting in the arena?

If I'm sitting near people, I don't usually use the monopod b/c I don't have room for the range of motion necessary. In fact, I rarely use the monopod while seated but I've found the best way for me is to actually have the monopod resting on the seat between my legs (I'm sure it's very attractive) so that the pivot point is really close to me. Otherwise the swing is too big as you try to turn from side to side. For Gotta Skate, I was in one of the designated media locations, and we were all standing to shoot over the on-ice people's heads. And I actually pulled the monopod off the camera in frustration several times, only to use it again a little later as my arms started to burn. I do think I need to get a better head for the monopod, which will allow me to swivel in all directions.

As for which I use, I don't actually remember off the top of my head! It isn't overly expensive b/c I was cheap about buying it, but it appears to be longer than some of the other photographers'...

 

[Lucy25]

I'm glad you mentioned you were in a media area because I have never been allowed to bring in my zoom lens. Many times I was told I could not even bring in my SLR with the regular lens on. I can't imagine getting away with having a monpod or tripod.

 

[Tonichelle]

Lenses are where all your money gets spent =).

Some places rent lenses so for short trips, that can be useful. I did that for a while before I finally gave in and bought the expensive lens for skating.

yeah that wouldn't work for me... as photography is supposed to be my livelihood lol

 

[IDLERACER]

Wayne Newton's voice changed when he was 38. Sasha Cohen hitting puberty at 22 isn't that farfetched (if my memory serves me correct, Olga Korbut also grew a pair at that age). Anyhow, she finally looks older than her younger sister.​

 

[sillylionlove]

Funny that you talk about Wayne Newton. My parents saw him last year in Vegas. They said that his back up singer sounds just like him!! They said Wayne's voice isn't nearly as good as it was back in the day. That's why his back up singer is always singing and not really doing back up!!

 

[Grgranny]

As far as I'm concerned, he never had a voice to begin with and now it's even worse. He used to sound like a little kid. Never liked that either. When he filed for bankruptcy years ago, I lost any like I had for him. (which was very little)

 

[Hsuhs]

They are hers, since she paid for them.

 

[IDLERACER]

They are hers, since she paid for them.

John Wayne used to use that joke whenever someone would ask him, "Is that your real hair?" He'd answer, "Yes, it's real hair and I paid for it. It might not be growing out of my head but it is my real hair."​