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Interview with Annabel Moeller
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Sydney based event photographer and regular contributor to ASE, Annabel Moeller gained unlimited access to almost every area of the Games. She spoke to ASE about her experience.
Thousands of photographers covered the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. All of them challenged to capture the world's finest athletes in their moment of glory, or maybe in their darkest hour. At every venue the photographers' galleries were bristling with huge lenses behind which the keen eyes of seasoned shooters poised themselves for 'that' moment.
Backed up with the latest technology and the unflagging support of the specially provided media centres, anything was possible - the photographer too could have his or her moment of glory. For they also had been in training for years, for that fraction of a second which could bring them international recognition and the sense of personal achievement only gained in the knowledge that they too were performing with the best of the best – in front of the world.
Sydney based photographer Annabel Moeller had a different brief however. Months before the games began the Olympic organisers set about commissioning an official film. Although all the TV networks would be there to record the event, a special documentary had to be made, one where the finish line was not the only point of interest. Where the winners were not the only story, a little bit about how the athlete came to be there - the sacrifices and the real human story...
A team of Australian film makers were brought together by Cappy Productions and were charged with this job. The film's director Bud Greenspan had captured the games over 20 years and as such was a legend, a story in his own right – the Steven Speilberg of sports films.
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The Client - Bud Greenspan
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Annabel (having sent her portfolio to the production company in New York) won the privilege of shooting the stills for this film and thus she was afforded an infinity pass and the opportunity to capture for them "the process". The pass, gained by association with the film crew, allowed her access to all sporting arenas and many places out of bounds to the public.
Annabel's usual field of play is that of special event photography. Sydney is host to many events throughout the year and spectaculars like Fashion Week and Federation Day Celebrations are par for the course, however this was the biggest event ever put on and as such was the ultimate challenge.
"We were all out there trying to do our best work" she said "Photographers, officials, volunteers, all of us. At times it was extremely hard working 16 hours a day for 16 days. Carrying 10 kilos of equipment tests you to the limit physically and mentally - it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do."
Many of her shots were taken 'in the trenches' - for instance the media moat which surrounded the competition field in the main stadium. "The sheer quantity of burly blokes crushed into the spaces by the finish lines, the high jump, long jump etc was enough to leave me thinking 'what am I doing here?' Fortunately however my job was not just to concentrate on the athletes, I did have this more general brief to capture the whole picture. The speed of the action was something that was beyond the realms of my experience, not so capturing the rest of the stuff. Some of my favourite shots are those of the media en masse. Meanwhile I could tell they were wondering what I was doing there - one of the very few female photographers I was also not carrying the mega sized lenses and was quite obviously not obsessed with just the sport."
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Aussie Matt Shervington collapsed right in front of her
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But the mere fact that she was working at the greatest sporting event in the world drew her into inner conflict at times. For instance when Aussie Matt Shervington collapsed right in front of her, Annabel found herself in a dilemma - shoot the star athlete, check that he was OK, or shoot the hordes of photographers scurrying to get a good picture. "In the end I decided I could get away with both and took a quick shot before putting my hand on his shoulder. He was OK, after a couple of moments he got up and stuck his head in a large container of iced water bottles - that seemed to do the trick".
We were very well looked after by the organisers of the games. Having been accredited with an official bar coded card and photographer's jacket (vital for unimpeded progress though all the venues) one was then afforded 24 hour TLC. Obviously the speed and efficiency with which we were able to get the images out was very important and The Main Press Centre became my haven of sanity from the constant frenetic activity out side"
"Inside the MPC there was the Kodak centre which provided us with film and processing, light boxes and computers, replacement equipment should any disasters occur and lots of kind and helpful assistants to sooth and support. Apart from that there were restaurants and bars, shops and resting places, which helped make a difficult job bearable. We also had all our own transport around the venues and this was one of the few times we got to talk to each other. One of the disappointments for me at the games was that there was not more time for socialising with this stunning array of talented individuals from around the globe. The sport started at 8:00am and went on till 11:00pm everyday - when they weren't shooting they were filing and sending images to their respective publications – it was exhausting for all concerned."
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When asked what was her favourite moment of the games, Annabel smiled broadly and said that it was during the Opening Ceremony. "I didn't even think I was going until only a few hours before the it began. A spare ticket was found for me. The Opening was so exciting - the whole adventure was ahead of us all so our hearts were open and optimistic. By some lucky twist of fate I was able to get on Platform A which was one of the best spots for viewing the spectacular - all the main TV cameras were up there, as a stills photographer I was not supposed to be there at all but at the last minute I was given the go ahead but to 'make myself scarce'. Cautiously walking up to the end of the platform I reached a rope, on the other side of which was VIP seating. One of the VIPs was Muhammad Ali and throughout the ceremony we smiled and joked with one another. He is not very well these days but you can see the Ali we know and love, shining out of his eyes. At the end of the night we posed for a photo together”
“The Sydney Games were remarkable in so many ways, they were a glorious exhibition of human endeavour, a fantastic display of beauty, talent, and dedication - so many souls played a part in this theatre of excellence. It is an experience I will never forget.” Said Annabel in closing
Annabel Moeller Photography
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