Steve Dilbeck: Hail the photographers
We have the forum, we scribes and columnists. We can make our observations, moan about standing in another freezing night waiting for a bus that never comes.
But we are not alone. Waiting beside us, just as tired or more, certainly just as near hypothermia, are the photographers.
Up here on the mountain, they go through every hardship the writers do, perhaps more. They work the same crazy hours, work the same consecutive 21 days, put up with the same repeated press food, the same hapless bureaucracy.
They also have to lug 20-30 pounds of cameras and equipment around. Hustle from one mountain venue to another an hour or more away.
And many rent skis for the alpine events, carrying them in and out of buses and vans along with all their camera equipment, and then ski to their preferred spot along the slope. Other photographers hike up, no easy task under the best of circumstances.
It’s almost heroic. All in hopes of capturing that one magic shot of Bode Miller crashing off course.
Photographers and reporters have something of an odd relationship. We’re in the same profession, but not. We mostly get along, but seldom are close. Mostly a nod of the head as we pass through press boxes.
Here in the Alps, though, is one serious tip of the cap.
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