Hail to the Chief

[ThurlFan]

Had a fabulous opportunity yesterday, the President of the United States was nearby and I was able to get a ticket and arrange time off work to go over and see him speak. Of course the camera went with me.

The location was an indoor athletic arena at the University of Kansas (they hold indoor track meets there, and various sports teams use it to work out in adverse weather). Standing in the middle of a throng of viewers was not ideal, and I didn't have time to rent a top-notch lens so I went with my venerable Canon XSi and the pedestrian (but trusty) 55-250 Canon lens.

Having had the camera for a while was very helpful, as over time I had gotten comfortable with what it could and could not do. Autofocus was a bust, couldn't get it to lock in properly on the podium, so I got switched to manual and with some clicking and chimping I was able to find the correct range. The other key to success was activating the live view function so I could compose on the LCD screen - which is something I hardly ever do because I prefer the viewfinder. In this case, however, the only way to get a clear shot was to hold the camera aloft as high as I could reach. Lastly, I locked the shutter at 1/80.

Some samples:
(samples? who am I kidding? some cherry picked faves)

 

[mom2rtk]

Nice! Like the focus on all the little screens.

And I can't remember if we've discussed this, but if it's ever an issue again, there is a lens rental company in Overland Park.

 

[ThurlFan]

Nice! Like the focus on all the little screens.

And I can't remember if we've discussed this, but if it's ever an issue again, there is a lens rental company in Overland Park.

Thanks, have used them many times Just wasn't going to work with my schedule to get up there (didn't for sure have a ticket til Tuesday evening). Should have gambled and got one as soon as the appearance was announced, then if I didn't get in I'd still have a nifty lens to play with

 

[boBQuincy]

Pretty cool that you were able to get close enough for some good photos (and that you had the equipment and skills to take advantage of it)!

 

[bob100]

cool
I'm guessing your camera gear bag was thoroughly searched

 

[KCmike]

That would have been a fun photo walk/experience.

 

[ThurlFan]

cool
I'm guessing your camera gear bag was thoroughly searched

Actually, I didn't take a bag, just had the camera on the new sling strap I got for Christmas

 

[MAJPLO]

Exciting! This was especially fun for me to read because one day last week as I was leaving work my boss called me into his office. He wanted to show me a picture of his son, a Jayhawk, attending the President's speech. It was a shot from behind the President with his son front and center in the audience. I really enjoyed your photos from another angle. Very nice.