Photographing Tiger...

[Kilted Arab]

Apologies for the tardiness of this report, but been run off my wee feet recently.

OK, Dubai Desert Classic and Tiger Woods.

I'd heard stories before about increased security, personal security guys - all that stuff. Saw no sign of it in Dubai, none whatsoever - just a couple of oddities, more on those later. The only minor problem I had was collecting my media pass. I went to collect it from the Media tent on the Wednesday, the pro-am day. Slight problem - the media tent was inside the gates - and I couldn't get through the gates without my media pass. Some jobsworth of a security guard played funny buggers and wouldn't let me through - eventually he called his boss, a woman - and the old Scottish charm worked a treat. Either that or she took pity on me when I started crying. Anyway, I got my pass.

I didn't have the time nor the inclination to bother with the pro-am so I trotted off to my hotel and sat by the pool. And got drunk.

Next morning, hearty breakfast, off to the course. Got there early and into the press tent. For the first oddity - photographers armbands. There were red ones and green ones. To follow and photograph Tiger, you needed a green one. Feck, thought I - here's where I get rumbled for being an amateur who got lucky. But no - the girl behind knew me from the numerous emails we'd exchanged over the previous weeks and, out of pity, she slipped me a green band. You had to return these each night and collect them the next day, but each day she gave me a green one. (reminder to self: send off that thank-you email...).

So...off for a wander round the range etc. This was a far bigger, far more professional set-up than Abu Dhabi. But I felt more confident following that event. And some of the other photographers recognised me and started chatting to me - a few were really helpful giving advice and tips. Again, I think there was a pity element involved although I did have a nice new photographers backpack and some new lenses to bluff about...

I believe the crowds were far smaller than you get at American events and the advantage is that you get a lot closer to the players. At the putting green, for example, I was about 5 feet from Tiger and we walked almost shoulder to shoulder from there to the range. On days 1 and 2 he signed autographs galore - mainly for kids. I'd heard he didn't do that sort of thing, but he did. Days 3 and 4 he had his business face on and was far more focused but that's understandable.

So...the photography. I decided not to follow Tiger around all the time. Too much of a bun fight and too hot to spend 5 hours running about in the heat. So I picked an early hole, got prime position and watched a few groups coming through. Then I'd leap ahead a few holes and do the same thing. With Goosen, Els and numerous other top guys in the field, there was always something to watch/photograph. The pro photographers can get pretty aggressive in terms of running for the best spot etc. So getting there early was, i think, sensible.

On odd thing was when one side of the fairway was out of bounds for the public. But, as a photographer you can go under the ropes, cross the fairway and take your snaps. That was weird, walking up a fairway a few yards behind Tiger when there were maybe 2 - 3 thousand people watching, plus tv cameras. I'm sure many of them thought I looked out of place with my amateur equipment but I didn't really care...I was there, on the fairway, with Tiger - and with a camera. So I was happy.

Through my time there I never got one of those looks/remarks from players or caddies that basically says "I wish you would die horribly you ignorant snapping bastard". As with Abu Dhabi I erred on the side of caution when taking pics. Took my cue from the pros in terms of when to click and when not.

Well, I don't have much else to say at the moment so hope this has been of some interest and I'd recommend it to anyone!

Thanks again to Sling for the idea.

[Kilted Arab]

[Kilted Arab]

[Kilted Arab]

[Slingblade61]

Well done Arab!

[Rockford35]

Originally Posted by Kilted Arab

This isn't Tiger.

R35

[Kilted Arab]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

This isn't Tiger.

R35

I think that's the first knowledgeable golf post you've ever made - good on ya! phone yer mum, she'll be proud...!

[Augster]

Awesome man, awesome.

That'd be a fecking trip to walk the FAIRWAY behind Tiger bluffing like you are going to the OOB side. I followed Tiger at the PGA at Hazeltine a few years back, outside the ropes of course, and it is REALLY a bear to try to keep up. You have to basically RUN around an entire throng of folks that are also moving to get in position to see his next shot. Whereas, he just has to walk straight to his ball.

Just awesome man.

Was the food comped also for you "media folk"? Were you allowed into the clubhouse and/or locker rooms or is that just for "journalists".

What site did you say you represented? Does said site need any "reporters". LMAO!! I don't have any real camera equipment, but I know how to write.

Great job.

[Kilted Arab]

Originally Posted by Augster

Was the food comped also for you "media folk"? Were you allowed into the clubhouse and/or locker rooms or is that just for "journalists".

What site did you say you represented? Does said site need any "reporters". LMAO!! I don't have any real camera equipment, but I know how to write.

Great job.

I had a clubhouse pass in addition to the photographers one...locker rooms OB, though! Lunch was laid on as well...!

I said I represented my own website but to be honest I think saying 'freelance' would be enough. try it!!

[Slingblade61]

I used Shot Talk as the media outlet for the Buick Championship in Connecticut. I was offered a press pass the day after I filled out the form.

[IrishGolfer]

Outstanding! Must have felt like a kid in a sweet shop! Did you see yer blue legs on the telly?

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Kilted Arab

Through my time there I never got one of those looks/remarks from players or caddies that basically says "I wish you would die horribly you ignorant snapping bastard". As with Abu Dhabi I erred on the side of caution when taking pics. Took my cue from the pros in terms of when to click and when not.

Probably because you didn't setup up your auto winder and take like 10 pictures in the backswing. I always thought you could get some great shots by doing this in Tiger's Backswing, then get some great shots of Steve Williams chasing after you with a golf club, while backtracking.

Great Stuff KA

[ezra76]

Great shot of Ernie Els!! I have a good friend who used to work for the AP and is now in the process of getting her own business off the ground. I have an appreciation for good photagraphy, it is truly an art. Thanks for sharing your work.

[Witmaster]

Great shots and equally great account of your experience! An enviable time for certain. If you can handle the heat, Dubai is an amazing place to behold. Spending the day with Tiger only makes it more amazing!

Thanks for sharing!

[DaveE]

Great report KA. That was so good I think you should be allowed to photograph the next ShotTalk match. Really, it was that good.