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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
In the bag - Pete Souza
Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 1:24 AM on 05.01.09 |
->> I've been watching the pics that Pete gets and would love to read what his normal work day kit includes - bodies, flash? How many bodies does he carry, does he have an airport addicted bag in the next room....a mac 15' near by....his workflow at the end of the day......etc
He has the ultimate "fly on the wall" job to maybe the most powerful man in the world - the nuts and bolts to his job would be very interesting. Perhaps it's been covered but I couldn't find alot of answers to my questions. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 9:12 AM on 05.01.09 |
->> Chris,
I can't speak officially but I know the White House Photo Staff is mostly all equipped with Canon 5D MKII bodies and an array of lenses. Most work is done available light to keep that "fly-on-the-wall" unobtrusiveness.
There is a team of talented editors to help sort through the take at the end of the day and on multi-day trips (such as the G8 summit) at least one other photographer travels, sometimes two others, as well as an editor.
Workflow is with PhotoMechanic for the edit and then a database archive system. |
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David G. McIntyre, Photographer
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Beijing | . | CHINA | Posted: 9:55 AM on 05.01.09 |
| ->> Maybe Pete can write something for an upcoming newsletter, and some of the others can too. |
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Andrew Knapik, Photographer, Assistant
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Lincoln Park | MI | USA | Posted: 10:31 AM on 05.01.09 |
->> If you have not had the chance to see it yet - The White House has a photostream on flickr. Some blogs have it, as well as the whitehouse.gov. There are truly some great images here.
You can view the slideshow her: http://tinyurl.com/cxdksz |
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Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 10:52 AM on 05.01.09 |
->> Will that slideshow never end?
Good stuff though... especially the one of The President taking the picture... |
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Philip Bowen, Photographer
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Kampala | UG | Uganda | Posted: 11:01 AM on 05.01.09 |
->> I can't substantiate this, but I think I remember reading a photographer's response to a question along the lines of "how are world leaders comfortable to act/speak freely on matters of state when there is a photographer in the room documenting the proceedings?" The photographer stated that there was no issue because they (the leaders) knew they were not being recorded - just still images.
Even if I'm totally making that up, my questions remain valid. That is, what about these HD video cameras that look and act like a DSLR? Are there events/people/occasions that allow access for photography but restrict video? How do those policies get policed? Will the existence of DSLRs that shoot video make it harder for photographers to gain access to places that restrict video or will it mean that photographers will have to submit their take to prove they didn't shoot any video?
Sorry if not entirely on topic, but I've been wondering this for a while ever since I saw that Pete uses the 5D MKII. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 11:37 AM on 05.01.09 |
->> Philip,
The answer to your question is simple: It's a matter of trust.
A leader like Obama would not give the access if the photographer did not have his full trust to not cause a commotion, not cause any conflict, not record (audio/video) something he should not.
Pete has worked with Obama from his first day as a senator and accompanied him on several trips, including documenting his visit to his family's roots in Africa. So they have had a long relationship and Obama has allowed Pete into "private" moments before he was president and knows he can trust Pete to handle the situation professionally.
Also, in most cases the photographer is in for a bit of the "open" part of the meeting and then if really sensitive stuff is being discussed they are asked to leave. Sometimes the photographer may stay in, but in high security cases, a CIA briefing on torture let's say, any staffer without security clearance to hear that information will be asked to leave the room, not just the photographer. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 12:25 PM on 05.01.09 |
->> To be honest I would think eventually you would get so used to them being there that you do not even notice them anymore.
It would be just background noise to them |
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Pete Souza, Photographer
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 7:37 PM on 05.02.09 |
->> Chris
I am using mostly prime lenses: 35, 50, and 135. I occasionally use a 24 and 85. The only zoom lens I ever use is a 70-200 f4. |
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 8:35 PM on 05.02.09 |
| ->> It's nice when you can get the answer directly from the person in question. Pete, I'm still mad you took Chuck. :-) |
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Chris Large, Photographer
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Okotoks | AB | Canada | Posted: 8:56 PM on 05.02.09 |
->> Pete
Thanks for taking the time to respond. If you ever get a free 15 minutes I think there would be a great story - in the bag, a day in life...whatever.
Chris |
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Silas Crews, Photographer
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Amsterdam | North Holland | NL | Posted: 7:41 AM on 05.03.09 |
->> Pete,
Great idea to put an archive of work on Flickr! It's great to see the life at the White House as a photostream and and part of the Flickr community. Thanks for sharing.
Silas |
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