This isn't exactly a post regarding the merits of Judge Alito although if anyone wants to give their .02 that would be ok.
Actually I as watching c-span today showing the Alito confirmation hearings and i couldn't help but to notice the photographers in the room. Since I don't own a dslr there are somethings I didn't realize and don't understand. One thing that i noticed is that there were many photographers in the room while the senators were speaking and they were constantly shooting. Are their cameras that quiet? It seems to me that that many cameras firing at once would be terribly annoying unless they were very quiet. Don't at least the mirrors make noise?
Another thing, none of them were using flash. Do you think the room was lit well enough to use without the flash? and most were shooting handheld. I did notice a guy with a monopod that seemed to be supported by his gut or a belt. Obviously they must be getting good shots.
I design and produce political advertising and the images I get are virtually all shot at 1800. It all has 'Grain from Hades' [tm]. I assume that flashes aren't allowed.
I do some video editing for news...always lower the A2 (natsound) audio track for these...the cameras are fairly loud, but audio is adjusted so the A1 mic or anchor stands out as the loudest
These rooms are made for this and I am sure the walls are padded and all kinds of sound proofing are embedded in them too. I would wonder though when someone is going to give these poor photographers a stool or something.
When the hearings were in their questioning mode there was a rack of DSLR's behind the witnesses with about 20 or so cameras on it. I am sure they were all remote control. They all had their names blocked out too so you couldn't see the manufacturer.
Politics makes strange bed fellows.
The politicians want to be seen and the photographers want to let you see them. God forbid one of them picked their nose or something the cacophony of shutters would be deafening.
