For those shooting events at the Ernst Center at NVCC, I visited there to scope it out. You'll be able to park in the B lots for free, or in the garage for $2/hr. There's a cafeteria on the campus and various vending machines in the Ctr.
Apparently the martial arts events will take place in the gym. Like most gyms, the lighting is strong, harsh and bluish. Doing a white balance might help if you're not using flash. I can't imagine that flash would disturb the competitors though, since the area is...For those shooting events at the Ernst Center at NVCC, I visited there to scope it out. You'll be able to park in the B lots for free, or in the garage for $2/hr. There's a cafeteria on the campus and various vending machines in the Ctr.
Apparently the martial arts events will take place in the gym. Like most gyms, the lighting is strong, harsh and bluish. Doing a white balance might help if you're not using flash. I can't imagine that flash would disturb the competitors though, since the area is already quite bright. Show more

I'm one of the volunteer photographers for Karate, and I visited the venue to take some pictures of the area and building interior to help orient you.
There is already a birds-eye photo of the Northern Virginia Community College on these pages. The "B" free parking lot that you may use is at the bottom (south) of the photo, and in case of inclement weather, the parking garage ($2 per hour) is the large white building on the left. The Ernst Center is the complex of three attached buildings next to...I'm one of the volunteer photographers for Karate, and I visited the venue to take some pictures of the area and building interior to help orient you.
There is already a birds-eye photo of the Northern Virginia Community College on these pages. The "B" free parking lot that you may use is at the bottom (south) of the photo, and in case of inclement weather, the parking garage ($2 per hour) is the large white building on the left. The Ernst Center is the complex of three attached buildings next to the garage.
Inside the Center, the entry to the gymnasium, where Karate & Taekwondo competition will take place, is on the left of the lobby area. Inside the gym area, there are lockers you may use (bring your own padlock). There are also bathrooms and showers for men and women.
There are no commercial eating places within walking distance of the campus, but there is a cafeteria on the campus. Show more

Egad, Craig. Is our rowing competition going to be in the dark, as the one in the video was? If so, then I hope the competitors aren't going to mind flash photography.

This is for Reston Hyatt photographers (Indoor Rowing & Honor Guard).
The rowing competition will be held in the Regency A&B ballrooms on the second floor. The lighting is good, but white balance may be necessary. See the pix of one of the two rooms (the divider will be removed, so there will be one large room, 27m x 12m in size).
I haven't been able to reach the sports coordinator, so I don't know if flash will be allowed, discouraged or banned.
I've been told that there will be 20...This is for Reston Hyatt photographers (Indoor Rowing & Honor Guard).
The rowing competition will be held in the Regency A&B ballrooms on the second floor. The lighting is good, but white balance may be necessary. See the pix of one of the two rooms (the divider will be removed, so there will be one large room, 27m x 12m in size).
I haven't been able to reach the sports coordinator, so I don't know if flash will be allowed, discouraged or banned.
I've been told that there will be 20 competition machines arranged in 10 rows of two machines each (facing each other).
As I understand it, these are timed rowings for a specific distance. So there will be a lot of intensity for five minutes or so; plenty of time to get some good pix.
There will be seating for spectators along the sides of the room, but it is not elevated, and since we may be blocking their view, to avoid complaints, we will need to move around.
There are at least 15 restaurants of various cuisines within 100m of the hotel, and there will be food vendors in the athlete's village.
The hotel has a parking garage, but they charge $13 per day (prorated). In addition there are numerous free public parking garages within a few blocks of the hotel. Show more

Greetings rowers:
My name is Raoul Drapeau, and I will be one of the photographers recording your competition.
I have visited the venue and have taken some photographs that may help you orient yourself. See the Photos link above.
The competition will take place in the Hyatt Reston Hotel, which is located about 25 miles west of Washington, DC and is convenient to both National and Dulles airports.
For those driving, the address of the hotel is 1800 Presidents Street, Reston, VA. Tel...Greetings rowers:
My name is Raoul Drapeau, and I will be one of the photographers recording your competition.
I have visited the venue and have taken some photographs that may help you orient yourself. See the Photos link above.
The competition will take place in the Hyatt Reston Hotel, which is located about 25 miles west of Washington, DC and is convenient to both National and Dulles airports.
For those driving, the address of the hotel is 1800 Presidents Street, Reston, VA. Tel 703/709-1234.
The rowing competition will be held in the Regency A&B ballrooms on the second floor. Taken together, the rooms are 27m x 12m in size. The lighting is good.
There will be 20 competition machines arranged in 10 rows of two machines each (facing each other).
There will be seating for spectators along the sides of the room, but it is not elevated, and so sometimes the view may be blocked by officials.
There are at least 15 restaurants of various cuisines within 100m of the hotel, and there will be food vendors in the athlete's village.
The hotel has a parking garage, but they charge $13 per day (prorated). In addition there are numerous free public parking garages within a few blocks of the hotel.
Good luck. Show more

In case any shooters out there would like a tune-up before the big event, on May 18, a group of WWII vets from Wisconsin will be visiting the WWII Memorial in DC. Normally, I shoot closeup stills and video interviews of the vets for the organizers. It's an unforgettable experience. However, I will be out of town that day and can't do it. If you have the equipment and interest, let me know and I'll give you the details. redmail@cox.net

Hello. My name is Raoul Drapeau, and I'm looking forward to participating in this exciting international event. For some years now, I've been doing photography for the Fairfax County Police Department's Criminal Justice Academy, conducting interviews and photography (stills & video) of visiting veterans coming to the WWII Memorial in DC, and now shooting promotional clips for the Town of Vienna. I enjoy shooting in remote locations where conditions aren't ideal.