[dhitchco]

For all you team photographers & videographers out there:

1) I will be teaching a digital photgraphy overview class on Thursday 4/27 as part of the 2nd annual FIRST conference to be upstairs at the World Conference Center (above the pit areas)

2) We are also trying to schedule a "group shot" of all team photographers (likely to be Friday around lunch) since were the ones always BEHIND the lens! Come and meet fellow photo nuts!

3) Since I live in Rochester, NY (home of Eastman-Kodak) and have lectured at the Eastman House, I will say that digital capabilities (camera resolution plus editing capabilities) have indeed made film obsolete. Kodak's top execs agree on this one!

4) The #1 top priority you MUST do in taking pics is to a) compose the frame first and b) ask yourself if the photo "tells a story" without words.

That said, here's a bit on me:

How prominent is your role as a photographer on your team?
I'm the team's #1 photographer and videographer, but it's equally important to empower multiple people (mentors & students) to take candid pics. We have one common upload repository for all our pics at rollingthunder.smugmug.com

What do you use?
Last year I was digital plus film (used a SLR with 500mm lens). This year is a) point-shoot Kodak digitla with 3X zoom, b) Olympus 10x digital, and c) Canon Digital SLR with telephoto lenses. Also using Sony mini-DV camcorder with good shotgun microphone (and wireless mike for pit interviews)

What subjects are you good at shooting? (Robots on field, Candids, group photos, etc.)
All of the above; but rely on someone to record the "master" video feed (e.g. NASA or circuitrunners) to grab after event for video highlights. This year, I'll also have green screen chromakey backdrop so you can put pics and interviews overlayed onto robot action. Also good for team shots without background clutter. Candids shot with 10X zoom (stealth-style) are the best!

What subjects do you prefer to shoot?
For stills, shoot lots of candids of teammates and meeting other teams; brings out the joy and gracious professionalism of FIRST

When at competitions, where do you shoot from?
At regionals, be sure to shoot from the field back up into your team's spirit section. You'll see me with my "thundercam sky pole" to get above the crowd from the sidelines. be sure to shoot tight action shots in the pits of work-in-progress. Also, you can grab generic shots of the venue (e.g. Georgia Dome) from their web site for use later on.

Anything you'd like tips with?
Layout a "story" for your highlight album or video when done. Mix-in stills and video amybe NOT in exact chronological order. No need to simply do match highlights video (ecept for training). Put together a 5-minute ultra-highlight video/slide show for your patrons and future sponsors.

*EDIT*: WILL YOU BE IN ATLANTA?
YEA....Also, bring your top five (5) photos to the team 1511 pit and we'll upload them and display them on our pit TVs.....