How Two Times Photographers Prepped for a Presidential Showdown

Hmmm. I assume some of this interest in lenses is to see how much foreshortening with a telephoto lens had to do with how photographers' images (not just those from The Times) showed Trump looming over Clinton.

I wonder if the photographers can share what type of equipment they use? Camera, lens etc.

Why do the major camera companies do such a poor job with internet connectivity? Despite their amazing feats of engineering, the companies don't seem to understand (or care) what people do with their photos after the shutter is pressed. If you were using a cell phone you would not have to stress over complex and obscure internet protocols to get your images off the camera. Wouldn't it be nice to be a pure photographer again, while everything else "just works" in the background? The only things keeping the cell phones from eating the camera companies are the physics of optics and the limitations of small imaging sensors, but software and multi-sensor imaging will erode those limitations. As a photography enthusiast, I wish the camera companies would get a clue before our DSLRs go the way of hi-fi stereo systems.

Great article. Always cool to get insight like this directly from the image makers. I found it interesting that the battle for good internet is almost as improtant as the battle for a good photo. Makes sense in this day and age because if you don't get the photo out fast enough you might as well have not shot it at all because your audience will have moved on.

I'd love to discuss photographing the debates in more detail with Damon and Doug on my podcast Around the Lens. If either or both of the photographers are interested please let me know. We broadcast live every Monday at 8 pm est.

When I was a San Francisco Examiner copyboy in 1950, one of my duties was to go to Seals Stadium (the baseball arena), pick up the photographic film and film holders of our photographers and get them back to the office at 3rd and Market for processing. Not much has changed, right?

As a hack with a camera I admire your work at the Times a lot. The Grey Lady publishes some amazing photos. It was interesting to learn that now the photos are the easy part and that the connections are the hard and so very critical. Yes, from the memory card to your editors in seconds. It is a fast world today. No more hours in the darkroom waiting to see "what came out." Thanks for the insights. I sure love your work.

I love to hear about your settings, aperture, shutter speeds, ISO etc. Even some discussion of your composition, the recent shots of The Donald framed in luscious black have been marvelous.

Some of us who read the Times have inquisitive minds after all.

Great read - thanks for sharing.

For us old timers who shot on film and ran to the lab to get out a print and to the new timers who may wonder what equipment it takes to transmit, can we have some more technical and equipment details.
Some lovely NYT equipment flow chart would be great.

Hmmm, this make me feel a little guilty for being satisfied with even photos that are one or more days old. I've got to work at demanding almost instant imaging in the news. It makes such a difference in my life. (NOT!)

Thank you Mr.Damon and Mr. Mills. ....You both did a great job, and your commentary is illuminating.