Photographing Political Figures?

[CanonRebelz]

Hey there. I've got a friend who is big time into politics, and he works for someone running for a political position in my area. He want's me to help photograph the guy, for example with voters, at a debate with the man running for governor in my state next month (no the guy he wants me to photograph is not running against the governer, they are in the same political party), and other stuff. He will get me press passes for all the events he wants me at to do photography for. He said that if any of the events are at night, there will be spotlights on the person, so I won't need any speedlites or anything.
Has anyone here had any experience with this? Any tips for photographing political figures?

Thanks very much everyone!

[candleman]

well, all i know is if you get low (angles), it gives the person a feeling of power and strength.
not on a woman tho' it makes them look fat.

[spencer28n]

I know it's kind of off topic, but I ALMOST photographed President Obama. Except I started gawking and completely forgot about the XTi in my hand. Oh well.....

From what I see on T.V., the pros get down low and shoot up. They are also using telephotos for the compression.

Good luck

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by candleman

well, all i know is if you get low (angles), it gives the person a feeling of power and strength.
not on a woman tho' it makes them look fat.

Originally Posted by spencer28n

I know it's kind of off topic, but I ALMOST photographed President Obama. Except I started gawking and completely forgot about the XTi in my hand. Oh well.....

From what I see on T.V., the pros get down low and shoot up. They are also using telephotos for the compression.

Good luck

Alright thanks for the tips, yeah I figured getting low would give a sense of power. Thanks very much. And spencer, ha ha sorry bout your accident lol remember to press the shutter button next time!

[WPCatfish]

How's security going to be? Years ago, I was able to take photos of VP Quayle for the school newspaper. The USSS was very polite, but insisted on hand searching my entire camera bag, and I had to open the back of my 35mm (I had been advised not to load it with film until I got there). I was also required to cycle both camera and flash unit prior to being allowed in.

[CanonRebelz]

Originally Posted by Sjdj12995

How's security going to be? Years ago, I was able to take photos of VP Quayle for the school newspaper. The USSS was very polite, but insisted on hand searching my entire camera bag, and I had to open the back of my 35mm (I had been advised not to load it with film until I got there). I was also required to cycle both camera and flash unit prior to being allowed in.

ah I see. Security shouldn't be too rough, so long as they don't start grabbing my camera and opening everything on it and going so extensive.

[mad editor]

Originally Posted by Sjdj12995

How's security going to be? Years ago, I was able to take photos of VP Quayle for the school newspaper. The USSS was very polite, but insisted on hand searching my entire camera bag, and I had to open the back of my 35mm (I had been advised not to load it with film until I got there). I was also required to cycle both camera and flash unit prior to being allowed in.

Interesting story re photographing Dan Quayle. I was managing a large chain of weekly papers and VP Quayle was visiting one of our readership areas. I spent the day covering along with our photographer. Secret service made our photographers shoot photos of their own feet before they could shoot photos of VP. Camera could be a weapon disguised.

However, when Bush was in Sarasota on 9/11, they hand inspected equipment before the photogs could set up in the media room.

When Obama came here campaigning - thousands of us were jammed into baseball stadium - we all had cameras - no one checked anything. I have tons of shots from afar.

Congrats on the opportunity - I may not have any tips, but I'd love to know how it goes!