Well, it’s happening! The city is struggling to figure out what hosting a major games means and it will certainly be quite an adventure.
I went down to the “MMC” (all of the venues have an abbreviated code, this one is for the Main Media Center) to get my credentials validated and pick up my photographers vest. My version of the Games will be brought to you by the # 240.
Getting there was no problem as I took the 511 streetcar down. I’ll keep that route in mind because it was fast and efficient. By contrast I took the provided shuttle back to Union Station. The HOV lane helped on Lakeshore but the stretch of York Street south of Front was stopped dead as people were backed up trying to get on the Gardiner. The trip is supposed to be 8 minutes, I think it was over 20. I hope the other transport is a little more efficient as I will use the “TM” on my credentials (Transport for Media) to get me to the key venues I’ll be working at. Don’t need anything for the opening ceremonies as that’s right downtown at “PAD” (the Skydome) or the road cycling race as it’s at “OPW” (and I honestly don’t know what short for!). The shuttles I will use are in the next photo.
The last thing I did was to get a little extra gear that I’ll need for the remote camera I’m intending to use. I have approval to use it at the BMX races Saturday, still working out the logistics for the remaining events. This is what the setup looks like, although I expect to use my old 7D with that pancake lens. Missing from the photo is my Pocketwizard TT5 wireless trigger. I had to get them approved for use and they now have bar-coded stickers on them.
The only other gear I have added to my kit is a rental. For the opening ceremonies as well as the BMX & MTB races I will have a 400 F2.8 lens rented through Vistek. Can’t imagine spending that much on a lens but the weekend rental rate is awesome.
Let the Games begin!