I'm a bit frustrated. Covid came along and cancelled hockey season in the middle of it. But then hockey returned the following season with restrictions. As a result, I was not allowed event level access at Tulsa Oiler games. That meant no access to the photo holes.
It went this way for a whole season, and I was led to believe that it would be temporary, and that eventually things would return to normal. However, the following season, we had similar restrictions, although there was a team photographer that had floor access (event level access) and could use the photo holes. Not only that, but visiting photographers from other teams, and even bloggers with inactive blogs were able to get access. Just not me.
I'm frustrated.
I did some of the research to find out the specs for the photo holes and worked with another photographer to lobby to get the photo holes in the first place. The other photographer is no longer coming to the games, but I'm still there. and I don't get access to the photo holes.
I'd be fine with this arrangement, but it's getting harder and harder to find an empty seat along the glass, as well as clean glass. A lot of the glass has so many smears, that I can't get good photos. I end up throwing away a lot of what would be great shots, if not for the smears.
I have also noticed that another photographer is lately getting some access that I'm not getting. I'm not against him having access, but sure wish I could get access. The idea that my status as media, has been diminished because I'm part-time, as opposed to full-time media (the newspaper) who rarely show up at games.
The "full-time media" get access to the photo holes, but I don't.
I'd give anything to be able to use one of the photo holes for just one period a game. I fear that I might not live long enough to get my life back.
