Setting up underwater cameras at Rio 2016 Olympic Aquatics

We always have to get the Olympics several days before the start to get acclimated, scope out venues and schedule, and start setting up cameras. The underwater venues take extra time in setting up the underwater remote cameras. Back when I started doing the underwater cameras 16 years ago, there was only a couple of us in the water, now the coverage under the surface since the Beijing games has really expanded with up to 10 cameras down there at a time, including large and expensive robotic rigs, that can shoot at any 180 degree angle with zoom, focus, liveview and preset shot functions as well.

Shooting for Sports Illustrated at these Olympics, the plan has been to have my static Aquatech camera in the swimming venue and the robust robotics rig in the diving/water polo/synchronized swimming venue. Here’s a couple behind the scenes photos and videos of our underwater setup, which wouldn’t be possible without the help of the consummate professionals like dive master Simon Lodge that the BOC and FINA place on the pool deck to facilitate the installation.

Be sure to check out my instagram feed @donaldmiralle as well as Sports Illustrated’s and the rest of the team of great photographers we have here covering Rio!

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Day -2 First competition of the Rio Olympics: Women’s Soccer!

There are a lot of photographers itching to get going and start shooting actual events, so it was nice to get a jump start on the Games with football starting on Day -2. One of the sites for football is at Olympic Stadium, which is also the site for the athletics, it was quiet enjoyable shooting SWE vs RSA and BRA v CHI, especially with all of the Brazilian fans! Here are a couple of my favorite plus some behind the scenes. Be sure to check out my instagram feed @donaldmiralle as well as Sports Illustrated’s and the rest of the team of great photographers we have here covering Rio…Enjoy!

Best of the Summer Olympic Games

A collection of some of my best photos from the past Summer Olympic games. Be sure to check out my instagram feed @donaldmiralle as well as Sports Illustrated’s and the rest of the team of great photographers we have here covering Rio!

BEIJING- AUGUST 9: Competitors bike past Tiananmen Square during the Men’s Cycling Road Race during the Beijing Summer Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 9: Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake of Jamaica during the Athletics Competition, Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 8, 2012 at Olympic Park in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 9: Team Great Britain enters the water during the Synchronized Swimming Team Competition, Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 8, 2012 at the Aquatics Center, Olympic Park in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 8: A competitor on track during the BMX Seeding Phase Runs, Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 8, 2012 at BMX Track Olympic Park in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 8: A competitor on track during the BMX Seeding Phase Runs, Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 8, 2012 at BMX Track Olympic Park in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle) ***PICTURE OF THE DAY***

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 7: Richard Varga of Slovakia collapses at the finish line during the Men’s Triathlon Final, Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at Hyde Park in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle) ***PICTURE OF THE DAY***

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 6: A general view of the Women’s Omnium 20km Points race during the Cycling Velodrome, Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 6: during the Cycling Velodrome, Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 6: during the Cycling Velodrome, Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 5: during the Women’s Marathon Final, Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle) **Picture of the Day**

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 5: Ezekial Kemboi of Kenya celebrates winning the gold medal with silver medalist Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad of France in the Men’s 3,000M Steeplechase Final during the Athletics Competition, Day 10 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 4: A general view of Serena Williams of the USA plays against Maria Sharapova of Russia during the Women’s Tennis Final, Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 4, 2012 at Wimbledon Tennis Club in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 3: Bastian Steger of Germany serves to Jorgen Persson of Sweden during the Men’s Team matches of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3, 2012 at the Excell Center in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 2: Michael Phelps of the USA swims in the Men’s 100M Butterfly Semi-Final during the Swimming Finals, Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 2: (L-R) Laszio Cseh of Hungary, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps of the USA swim in the Men’s 200M Individual Medley during the Swimming Final, Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 3: Eunseok Oh of South Korea celebrates after defeating Florin Zalomir of Romania during the Men’s Fencing Team Sabre Bronze and Gold Medal Final Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3, 2012 at the Excell Center in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 3: Eunseok Oh of South Korea competes against Florin Zalomir of Romania during the Men’s Fencing Team Sabre Bronze and Gold Medal Final Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3, 2012 at the Excell Center in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 3: Eunseok Oh of South Korea competes against Florin Zalomir of Romania during the Men’s Fencing Team Sabre Bronze and Gold Medal Final Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3, 2012 at the Excell Center in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 1: during the Men’s Synchronized 3M Springboard Diving Finals, Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 1, 2012 at the Aquatics Center in Olympic Park, London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Linda Algotsson of Sweden competes during Equestrian Individual and Team Eventing Final, Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 28, 2012 at the Aquatics Center in Greenwich Park, London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Sandra Auffarth of Germany competes during Equestrian Individual and Team Eventing Final, Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 28, 2012 at the Aquatics Center in Greenwich Park, London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 30: Tiana Coudray of the USA competes during Equestrian Individual and Team Eventing Final, Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 28, 2012 at the Aquatics Center in Greenwich Park, London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: General view of the Tower Bridge with fireworks during the Opening Ceremonies as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: General view of the performers during the Opening Ceremonies on Olympics Opening Day as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: General view of the fireworks during the Opening Ceremonies as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Im Dong Hyun of Korea celebrates breaking the World Record during the Men’s Individual Archery Ranking Round on Olympics Opening Day as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Kim Bubmin of Korea (right) and other competitors score their arrows during the Men’s Individual Archery Ranking Round on Olympics Opening Day as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 27: Seven young athletes repreenting Great Britains future Olympic hopes carries the Olympic Torch on it’s last leg during the Opening Ceremonies on Olympics Opening Day as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on July 27, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 31: Ruolin Chen and Hao Wang of China dive en route to their gold medal in the Women’s 10M Synchronized Platform Diving Final, Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31, 2012 at the Aquatics Center in Olympic Park, London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle for NEWSWEEK Magazine)

ATHENS – AUGUST 11: Lenny Krayzelburg of the USA stretches next to the Olympic Rings before entering the pool for practice on August 11, 2004 prior to the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the main pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 17: Milorad Cavic of Serbia and Montenegro competes in the men’s swimming 100 metre freestyle heat on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Main Pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 14: Germany’s 8-man Team takes to the lake on practice on August 14, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Schinias Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Centre in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 19: Keith Smart (L) of the USA competes Alexey Yakimenko of Russia in the men’s fencing team sabre bronze medal match on August 19, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Helliniko Olympic Complex Fencing Hall in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 24: Dirk Demeersman of Belgium on Clinton rides in the individual show jumping event on August 24, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre Jumping Arena in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 13: The Olympic rings are seen as drummers perform during the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games on August 13, 2004 at the Sports Complex Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 23: Hao Wang of China and Seung Min Ryu of Korea compete in the men’s singles table tennis gold medal match on August 23, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at Galatsi Olympic Hall in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 22: Gail Devers of USA nails are seen in the beginning of the race of the women’s 100 meter hurdle on August 22, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in the Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald MiralleGetty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 23: Athletes compete in the women’s 100 metre hurdle semifinal on August 23, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in the Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 23: Jeremy Wariner of USA competes in the men’s 400 metre final on August 23, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in the Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. Otis Harris of USA came second and Derrick Brew of USA came third.(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 29: Adriana Carmona (L) of Venezuala defeats Natalie Silva of Brazil in the women’s over 67 kg Taekwondo bronze medal match on August 29, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Sports Pavilion part of the Faliro Coastal Zone Olympic Complex. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 26: James Beckford of Jamaica competes during the men’s long jump final on August 26, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Olympic Stadium in the Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 25: The gold medal winning team of Cuba celebrates by taking a team picture in the locker room after defeating Australia in the gold medal baseball game on August 25, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Baseball Centre in the Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 18: Wei Yang of China competes in the parallel bars at the men’s artistic gymnastics individual competition on August 18, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Olympic Sports Complex Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 17: Amanda Beard of USA competes in the women’s swimming 200 metre individual medley final on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Main Pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 17: Ian Thorpe of Australia swims during the men’s swimming 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay final on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Main Pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. USA won gold, Australia won silver and Italy won bronze. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 17: Michael Phelps (C), Ryan Lochte and Peter Vanderkaay of USA celebrate during the men’s swimming 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay final on August 17, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Main Pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. USA won gold, Australia won silver and Italy won bronze. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 16: Ian Thorpe of Australia celebrates after he won the men’s swimming 200 metre freestyle final on August 16, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Main Pool of the Olympic Sports Complex Aquatic Centre in Athens, Greece. Pieter Van Den Hoogenband of the Netherlands finished second and Michael Phelps of USA finished third. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 15: A general view of the competitors in the women’s cycling road race passing the temple of the Parthenon a top the Acropolis on August 15, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the City Centre Cycling Road Race Course in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

ATHENS – AUGUST 13: Fireworks are seen during the end of the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games on August 13, 2004 at the Sports Complex Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

20 Sep 2000: Diana Munz and Jenny Thompson of the United States celebrate after winning the Women’s 4×200 Meter Relay final at the Sydney International Aquatic Center in Sydney, Australia, during the 2000 Summer Olympics. Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Vavrinec Hradilek of the Czech Republic competes in the Men’s Kayak Slalom Prelims during Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 at the Lee Valley White Water Center Center in Hertfordshire, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING – AUGUST 24: Athletes compete in the Men’s Marathon as they run past Chairman Mao’s portrait at Gate of Heavenly Peace, Entrance to the Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square on Day 16 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING – AUGUST 24: Athletes compete in the Men’s Marathon as they run past Chairman Mao’s portrait at Gate of Heavenly Peace, Entrance to the Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square on Day 16 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 24, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 23: Team Canada competes en route to a fourth place finish in the Women’s Synchronized Team Final during day 15 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 23, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

At the National Aquatic Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympics August 17, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (CHINA)

BEIJING- AUGUST 22: Team Russia competes in the Team Rythmic Gymnastic Routine during day 14 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 22, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Newsweek)

BEIJING- AUGUST 20: Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts to winning the Men’s 200M a New World Record of 19.32 during day 12 of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 19: (L-R) Christian Obrist of Italy, Belal Mansoor Ali of Bahrain, Andy Baddeley of Great Britain and Rashid Ramsi of Bahrain collapse at the finish line in the Men’s 1500M Final during day 11 of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games on August 19, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing, China. Ramsi won the gold medal. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING – AUGUST 18: Dmitriv Klokov of Russia celebrates a lift en route to winning the silver medal in the Men’s 100KG Weightlifting Competition during Day 10 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 18, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING – AUGUST 18: Vanessa Fernandes of Portugal passes through a water station en route her her silver medal in the Women’s Triathlon during Day 10 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 18, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING – AUGUST 18: Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica wins the Women’s 100M during Day 9 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on August 17, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING – AUGUST 16: Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates victory in the Men’s 100m Butterfly Final held at the National Aquatics Centre during Day 8 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 16, 2008 in Beijing, China. By winning gold in the Men’s 100m Butterfly Phelps tied Mark Spitz’s record of winning seven gold medals in a single Olympic Games. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Newsweek)

BEIJING- AUGUST 16: Blot of Jamaica wins the 100 meter final during day 8 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on August 16, 2008 in Beijing, China.(Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 16: Blot of Jamaica wins the 100 meter final during day 8 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on August 16, 2008 in Beijing, China.(Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 16: Blot of Jamaica wins the 100 meter final during day 8 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on August 16, 2008 in Beijing, China.(Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 15: Yilin Yang of China competes in the Vault, Women’s All-Around Final at the Artist Gymnastics Competition during the Beijing Summer Olympic Games on August 15, 2008 in Beijing, China. Yang finished with the bronze medal. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 15: Nastia Liukin of USA competes in the Balance Beam, en route to winning the Women’s All-Around Final at the Artist Gymnastics Competition during the Beijing Summer Olympic Games on August 15, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 15: Yili Wei and Yawen Zhang of China react to their straight sets victory over the team of Miyuki Maeda and Satoko Suetsuna of Japan in the Women’s Badminton Bronze Medal Match during the Beijing Summer Olympic Games on August 15, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

BEIJING- AUGUST 13: Michael Phelps of the USA stand on the blocks to lead off the US Relay en route to a New World Record and gold medal in the Men’s 4X200M Freestyle Relay during day 5 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 13, 2008 at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, China. The United States won the race in a time of 6:58.56, a new World Record smashing the old world record by nearly 5 seconds. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Team France celebrates winning the gold medal in the Men’s 4X100 Freestyle Relay Final during Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 at the Aquatics Center in London, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Stefano Cipressi of Italy competes in the Men’s Kayak Slalom Prelims during Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 at the Lee Valley White Water Center Center in Hertfordshire, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Hermann Husslein competes in the Men’s Kayak Slalom Prelims during Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 at the Lee Valley White Water Center Center in Hertfordshire, England. (Photo by Donald Miralle)

Still Alive… and Kicking!

It’s coming up on two years since I last posted and I am happy to say I am still alive and kicking! Although I have taken some time off from the blog, I have been hard at work in the studio and in the field, and taking on assignments all around the country in addition to teaching photography classes in the community this past year. In the time since my last post in 2013, I am happy to announce I was awarded the Clio Award for the Washington Nationals Advertising campaign and have won a few Picture of the Year International awards!

It has always been a dream of mine to own a photography studio; and finally in 2013, I built a photo studio called Leucadia Photoworks. LPW is not only a studio but also a creative space for photographers in the San Diego area acting as a platform for our collective vision, the development of local talent, and the promotion of the photographic arts. Located just a few short blocks away from the beach in the artist and surf community of Leucadia, our fully-equipped 1,000 sq.ft. studio space, complete with a cyclorama at our disposal is also available for rental (www.leucadiaphotoworks.com).

 

 

 

Leucadia Photoworks was born out of the void I saw not only for affordable studio space for photographers in North County San Diego but also a platform where local photographers could share their vision and foster new young talent. We run workshops, have monthly photography shows and other fun events here! LPW is a photo collective comprised of nine talented photographers I hand picked in the North San Diego Area: founder Donald Miralle, Kristy Walker, Greg Merino, Todd Glaser, Teresa Fae, Tim Eubanks, Matt Wright, Anna Pietrowski, and Mike Lewis. Please follow our events calendar to keep up to date with our photography workshops, member art shows, book sales and other events at our studio and follow us on our instagram handles (@leucadia_photoworks and @donaldmiralle)