If it weren’t for the gospel singers, cheerleaders, and marching band, it would be possible to think Stephen Colbert was a real candidate in the South Carolina GOP Primary. His Party Crashers Rally at The Cistern on the College of Charleston campus was attended by 3500-plus, a larger turnout by far than for any of the candidates on the ballot in the Palmetto State.
Despite the fact that Colbert was not allowed on the primary ballot, the Party Crashers Rally was covered by all of the major media outlets. Colbert, of Comedy Central fame, announced before the rally that he was running for “President of the United States of South Carolina.” Based on his material, the rally was apparently a way to make fun of the South Carolina GOP and Super PACs that have emerged as a result of the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court. After the grind of the campaign trail and the repetitive drone of the stump speeches, Colbert’s digs and puns were welcome comic relief.
This image was created using a Nikon D3 equipped with an AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8 GII ED lens set to 200mm. The exposure data was f/8 at 1/640th of a second using a film speed of 1000 ISO. A pre-set white balance for cloudy skies was selected for the diffuse sunlight.
For the professional photographer on a political assignment access is a key component to success. When it comes to major political debates, there are three major elements – the spray, the spin room, and the live debate hall.
The spin room is where surrogates, and occasionally the actual candidates, explain what the candidate said or meant following a debate and it is the easiest access of the three restricted photo areas. The spray typically allows one photographer per media outlet to the front of the debate hall during candidate introductions – a very quick in-and-out photo op. Photography during the live debate is the toughest credential. Access is typically restricted to one photographer from each of the elite worldwide media outlets.
Working a live debate is very similar to a boxing match. Yes, there may be a lot of verbal sparring in a political debate, but rarely is there physical contact. However each candidate, much like a boxer, has a series of “tells.” These “tells” are physical signals that the candidate is about to make a gesture or body language motion that may be unusual or important to the photographer. Candidates typically start in a neutral stance and may hold that minute after boring minute as they repeat their talking points. Then abrubtly, here comes a photo op.
Sometimes the gesture may last a split second and never be seen again. But, some candidates will repeat a gesture for effect. The trick is to learn each candidate’s “tell”in order to be ready for that special moment.
These photos from the CNN debate were all created with a Nikon D3 camera. The white balance was custom set to 3230K. The debate set photograph was created using an AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm 1:2.8G ED lens set at 17mm. The exposure was 1/320th of a second at f/4 with a film speed of 3200 ISO. The individual candidate photos were exposed through an AF-S Nikkor 400mm 1:2.8 G ED lens. The exposure data was f/3.2 at 1/400th of a second and a film speed of 3200 ISO. A monopod was used for support and the VR vibration reduction was on.
Today marks the 231st Anniversary of the Battle of Cowpens. That Revolutionary War confrontation on January 17, 1781, between the Continental Army led by Brigadier General Daniel Morgan and the British Regulars commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton is proclaimed as one of the most important of the entire war. The decisive tactical battlefield victory by Morgan turned the tide in favor of the revolutionary forces.
Each year, the National Park Service hosts reenactments and celebrations of the historic battle at the Cowpens National Battlefield. There are guided tours of the battlefield and demonstrations of living conditions and firearms from that period. Many of the participants of the reenactments spend frozen nights and chilly days in tents on the grounds. These dedicated figures strive to provide historic accuracy in their wardrobe and accessories as well as their narratives.
As diligently as these participants work toward historic accuracy, there is the problem of the present day creeping into an image and ruining the illusion of the recreated history. Aside from the obvious mingling of nylon windbreakers of the visitors with woolen uniforms of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry or the leather of the backwoods militia, simple things like the appearance of a fresh green salad on a handmade table ruin the visual effect. Just as with those creating the reenactment, it is critical for the photographer to be diligent in the accuracy and content of their images.
This image of a musket demonstration from this year’s reenactment was created using a Nikon D3 equipped with an AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8 GII ED lens set to 155mm. The exposure data of f/8 at 1/1250th of a second using 400 ISO is about one-third of an f/stop less than the automated exposure suggested by the in-camera meter. This intentional under-exposure improved color saturation and prevented the participant’s faces and musket smoke from becoming over-exposed in the harsh late afternoon sunlight.
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