Olympic Photography at the Rio 2016 Games

Context

• Date: Saturday, 15th August 2016
• Location: Olympic Stadium, Rio de Janeiro
• Event: Men's 100m final
• Importance: Highly viewed sporting event

Pre-event Preparations

• Photographers' Goals:
  • Aim for a tight shot of the winner, with one person beside them.
  • Use a wide-angle lens to capture potential record-breaking moments.
• Photographers’ Role:
  • Capture historic moments with a single impactful shot.
  • Fight for optimal photo positions.
  • Ensure coverage for global clients.

Challenges for Photographers

• The event's rapid progression (100m is over quickly) allows only one chance for the perfect shot.
• Photo positions are crucial; incorrect positioning means missed opportunities.
• The need to consider various clients, including magazines, newspapers, and online platforms.
• Balancing the inclusion of city landmarks and Olympic themes without overpowering the main focus of the photo.

Significance of Olympic Photography

• Provides a visual legacy for host cities.
• Images are disseminated globally via print, digital, and social media.
• Photographers capture the essence and spirit of the Games, beyond just sports moments.

Historical Context

• Example from London 2012: 7,200 pages of Olympic content published, with an average of 46 pages daily in British newspapers.

Qualities of Great Olympic Photos

• Require planning, understanding of sports, and initiative.
• Need to capture unique perspectives and moments beyond the field of play.
• Must be quickly distributed to compete with televised footage.

Technological Support

• Digital cameras with WFT equipment for instant photo transmission.
• Need for high-speed, high-quality Wi-Fi.
• Editors process and distribute images rapidly.

Editorial Process

• Main editing hub processes 1.5 million images in 16 days, selecting 100,000 for distribution.
• Fast-paced: First image of Usain Bolt's finish in 2016 was distributed in 58 seconds.

Conclusion

• The balance of skill, technology, and pressure is immense for photographers at the Olympics.
• The aim is to capture and share defining moments of the Games with the world instantly.