As with most days since the Olympics began I started my day off shooting gymnastics. This time it was the men’s individual all around competition. And once again it was an ass whipping by the China team.

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After months of researching photo venues, poring over a meticulously planned packing list and working with the Chinese consulate to meet the country’s visa requirements, photographer Mark J. Rebilas is finally on the ground in Beijing to shoot the 2008 Olympics, and he’ll be blogging about his experience for AskthePhotographer.com.

Rebilas, a professional sports photographer who regularly a variety of major-league sports, specifically NASCAR and other motorsports, said his credentialing process for the Olympics began about two years ago.

“I’m just glad to be past all the packing and all the planning and stuff, because it’s actually stressful as hell,” Rebilas said during a telephone interview conducted just before his plane was to depart San Francisco. “Now that I’m actually all checked in and my bags are checked, now I’m finally able to start to get excited.”

He said the big difference in preparing for this event was that there was an element of finality to his packing list, since “if you forget something it’s not like you can go home and grab something or have it FedExed to you.”

Rebilas, who shoots with Nikon equipment, said he brought his entire inventory of photo gear, including both a 600mm and a 400mm telephoto lens.

This is not his first experience shooting international sporting events – he shot the Pan American games last year – but this is as big as they get.

“I’m going to be competing with some of the best photographers in the world. I love the challenge of that, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Click here to read Rebilas’ blog.

Check out these photos of what happens when freezing rain hits China. Continue Reading

It has been interesting to see the protests circling around the Olympic torch relay. Not too many people are happy with the human rights record of China, who will be hosting the games. Recently, the torch passed through San Francisco, and the city made sure that they got their voice heard. Continue Reading