{"id":48487,"date":"2024-09-17T07:53:45","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T07:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev2024.spyder.datacolor.eu\/spyder\/?p=48487"},"modified":"2024-09-17T07:54:18","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T07:54:18","slug":"olympic-shot-q-a-with-olympic-photographer-jeff-cable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.datacolor.com\/spyder\/blog\/olympic-shot-q-a-with-olympic-photographer-jeff-cable\/","title":{"rendered":"Olympic Shot: Q & A With Olympic Photographer Jeff Cable"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Professional photographer and Datacolor Friends with Vision contributor Jeff Cable photographs personal and corporate clients in addition to leading photo tours here in the U.S. and around the world. However, he is perhaps best known for capturing photos for the US Olympic Committee, having photographed\u202fthe last eight Olympic games, in Beijing, Vancouver, London, Sochi, Rio de Janeiro, PyeongChang, Tokyo and, most recently, Paris. Here, Jeff shares some of his experiences and incredible photos from the 2024 Olympic games in Paris. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48568″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]As an experienced photographer for the Olympics, did you have any expectations prior to your arrival in Paris? If so, what were they? If not, why not? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I always have expectations before every Olympics. There is a lot of stress leading up to the Games because I know that I will have to figure out the transportation and logistics for a brand new region and this happens every two years. I had high expectations for the Opening Ceremony and those feel far short of what I had hoped for. But I also had high expectations for the venues in Paris and they met those expectations very well. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48578″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]Walk us through your process of taking a photo at the Olympics. Do you approach every sport with the same photographic goals? If not, what are the differences? (starts, finishes, venues, etc.). <\/strong><\/p>\n

My goal at every Olympics is to take photos that go beyond the standard image. I want to create photos that are creative and different from what the other photographers are capturing. Every sport is different, and I do my best to find the uniqueness of each sport and find a way to capture that in a different way, whether it be a motion capture, a wide angle shot or something else.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48598″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]What are your go-to\u2019s in terms of cameras, lenses, settings, tools, accessories, etc.? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I spent most of the time using the Canon R1 camera and the new RF 100-300mm lens. This combination proved invaluable at these Games. I don\u2019t have a go-to for settings since each sport is so different. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48588″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]How much influence do the photographers at the Olympics have with the Photo Manager in terms of where you can shoot, lighting issues, etc.? <\/strong><\/p>\n

We have almost no influence over the photo positions or just about anything else at the Olympics. It is very locked down, both from a security perspective and the fact that everything is geared for TV and they don\u2019t want us getting in the way. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48518″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]What do you look for during the actual competition? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I look for that peak of action when athlete is doing something really spectacular AND I also look for when they are in the best position for a photo. I like to have the Olympic Rings or logos in the background to tell the story of where I am. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48488″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]What makes a great shot in your opinion? <\/strong><\/p>\n

There are so many things to come into play to create a great photo. As I mentioned before, it could be the athlete doing something amazing, it could be where I am to capture that moment, the choice of lens I happened to be using, the camera settings I am using. I try to plan out my shots as best as possible, but sometimes there is also a bit of luck involved to have it all work out. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48608″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]What were your top 3 highlights and lowlights of your experience this time at the Olympics? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Let me start with the lowlights. I thought that both the Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony were terrible. They were definitely made for television, but as a photographer on site to capture those ceremonies, they were horrible. As for the highlights, I loved capturing Simone Biles in action, being right against the fence to photograph the horses in Versailles, and when the men of USA Water Polo won an unexpected Bronze Medal (and I got to experience that with them \u2013 and wear a medal too). [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48538″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]Were you surprised by anything at this year\u2019s games? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I was surprised at how physical the games were this year. Not for the athletes (which is expected) but for us photographers. We had to walk way more than normal and climb endless stairs with all of[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48508″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]Did you have a favorite sport to shoot? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I love capturing all sports at the Olympics, but I definitely had a favorite venue. I loved the beach volleyball venue which was right up against the Eiffel Tower. Amazing!<\/p>\n

Has much changed over time as you\u2019ve photographed several Olympics? What takeaways do you have from this Olympics vs. years\u2019 past? <\/strong><\/p>\n

The deadlines have changed so much over the years. Now with social media and faster internet connections, the client wants the images almost immediately. [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_single_image image=”48548″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text css=””]If you could give a new photographer only one piece of advice for shooting at the Olympics, what would that be? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Be prepared for anything. Photographing the Olympics is a crazy experience where we work very long hours and on very little sleep. Along the journey, we run into countless restrictions, road closures, venue changes, new rules, and you have to be ready for that.<\/p>\n

In your blog, you noted you had 15 minutes from the time you took a shot to when you got the images back to the team. Walk us through that process (photo selection, editing, etc.). <\/strong><\/p>\n

It goes something like this:<\/p>\n