The Lagerback endurance test

Another day, another press conference in the media tent in Lugano. It really is like some kind of mental test to see how many times you can shoot the same person with the same backdrop in the same tent saying the same thing to the same people and still try to think up something different. When you’re working in a press environment, it’s both a challenge to find that extra something that makes a decent shot and then, equally importantly, to shoot it without drawing everyone’s attention to it so that they copy your idea. Two weeks into shooting these press conferences and most photographers spend the time scouring their immediate environment for any new ideas and/or watching out for others who have a decent idea. I’ve always done my very best to think of my own ideas when I think there is more than one angle and in those times when someone else’s idea is just too good, I’ll ask the photographer who thought of it if I can do something similar. I’m sure it fades with time but it still bugs me if I put in the thought and effort to do something different then find a queue of people behind me, doing all but asking me my settings.

spotlight

When I’m back on home turf and I’m working with friends and colleagues from other papers and agencies, this isn’t a problem as it’s understood that it’s a bit off to just duplicate someone else’s shot but while I’m over here, there isn’t the luxury of that code. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I’m an eternal fountain of ideas which is a shame as life would be soooo good as these “Groundhog Day” press conferences would be a breeze..

lagerback

After following the Swedish team through rain and drizzle at tedious press conferences and wet training sessions on pretty much a daily basis, today I bumped into five of the players in Lugano town centre. They were all sat on a wall, in their regular clothes and, for the first time, I actually saw a picture involving them that would have been something out of the ordinary. I wandered over, put on my most friendly and approachable face and asked if it was ok to get one quick photo. “No”, was the blank and abrupt response. Thanks. I’ll savour standing in the rain to shoot your practice sessions even more now, knowing how friendly some of you chaps are. *meditates into internal happy place*

nerves

Up to that point, I had a vague connection with Sweden to do well in the tournament but I can’t say that I’m that enamoured any more. I guess my patience is wearing thin as my tour of duty slowly reaches its end. However, with Dutch fans such as the one below, how can I help but follow them now? Come on, how many of YOU guys has a folding t-shirt with a flap on that reveals the inside of a lion’s mouth? I thought not..

lionheart