I was in NC for literally 24 hours to cover the Obama Victory Rally. It was a really great event and I thought that Obama’s speech was one of his best yet. I’m really looking forward to this fall. Its getting good. Also, my new thing is to take panoramic photos. Here are a few from his event.

The Main Stage at NC State University.

For those of you who don’t know. This is called the “press filing center” where all the press can hang out and write their stories and “file” them.

This is a full 180 degree view from the stage, over the press risers and back to the filing center.

So I have gotten to cover some really cool events but last week was probably one of the most unique experiences I have had in a while. My producer (Will Rabbe) and myself got to travel with the Obama campaign as part of the traveling press. First, I flew into Louisville, KY to meet up with the campaign. Obama had an event across the boarder in Indiana. Then we flew to chicago where we stayed for a day. Then we flew to Indianapolis and took a two day bus tour of small town Indiana where Obama held ‘Town Hall Meetings.’

There were two main highlights to the trip. First was flying with the campaign. Since the plane was a charter jet, all the normal anal airline rules didn’t exist. Wanna throw oranges up the aisle during take off to see how far you can get it? no problem! (I’m not making this one up either!!!) Wanna hang out in the aisle and shoot the shit? no problem! Wanna work on your laptop during take off and landing? no problem! pretty much its the best way to fly.

The other highlight was getting to travel in the Obama motorcade. Obama rode in his bus and the press rode in another bus, but we got to drive in the motorcade. It was awesome traveling down the highway with a police motorcycle escort or driving through small towns where all the streets where shut down so the buses could drive right pass without stopping. It was also fun to watch the secret service swerving all over the highway in their SUVs. It was a scene right out of a movie. Pretty much it is the closes you can come to being in a presidential motorcade (which hopefully i’ll get to do at some point).

So here are a few photos i managed to shoot during the crazy 5 days.

Click on the image for a larger version!!! Obama rally in Indiana.

The view from our hotel room in Chicago.

Obama at another event.

Police protecting the tarmac.

Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis, IN - A very cool European looking monument right downtown.

I finally got a blackberry and the running joke was that i got it so i could do work on the beach… i just didn’t expect it to be a chicago beach.

This cell phone photo montage represents the travel aspect to campaigning. Fly, Drive, Speak, Drive, Speak, Fly, Drive and so on…

Obama at a press conference. (cell phone pic)

Outside the Basket Ball hall of fame. (cell phone pic)

We weren’t allowed to shoot it because it was for ‘pooled’ press only, but we got to watch Obama play Bball with some local kids. (cell phone pic)

…and once again back on the plane to the next location. (cell phone pic)

The other week I went to Hillary’s victory rally in Philadelphia. Here are a few pictures i snapped in between shooting. Enjoy!

A view up broad street of all the SAT trucks.

Hillary had her rally in a really cool space.

Hillary’s turn to be on my LCD screen.

Since Obama didn’t have a rally in PA, i think every news station sent all their cameramen and reporters to Hillary’s. It was a media mess.