Getting that photo of Air Force One
Lenslinger writes about covering this week's visit by President Bush. Then, yesterday, he waxes on about photographer Jerry Wolford's shot in yesterday's paper. (Last photo in slide show.)
For all the words I used trying to describe my ride on Flatbed One, Jerry Wolford summed it up in a single frame. Actually, I bet the News & Record photographer popped off more than one shot as he lay in front of that puddle of standing water. I myself watched him recline there for a good ten minutes, before turning my attention back to the jumbo jet in question. While I transmitted pictures that dissipated on impact, he triggered an image that'll last forever.
I asked Jerry about that shot. He explained in his usual droll style:
I had been riding in the Pool coverage van and we arrived as "W" was running up the steps to AF One. So I am thinking, that's good, I am in the pool and I am going to miss him falling down the steps.
He didn't miss a step. He waved to the imaginary crowd or the motley media crew on the trailer, as I am schlepping from the van over toward the trailer. The doors shut after about 30 seconds.
I look down and see the water on the tarmac and the reflection idea pops in my head. Then another idea pops in my head. I have the profile of a sniper laying on the ground.
I figured my art excursion with AF 1 would be cut short in some manner, but it never was.
My thoughts on the image were that the media trailer would give a sense of scale to the huge plane. Most people have a reference for the size of a trailer like that, but not for size of the plane.
I timed it so that I would shoot when the plane moved forward so you could read "United States."
I was lucky enough to get the picture before the Secret Service could take me out with their long guns.
Thanks for the notice, Lenslinger.
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