UPDATE: My photos are slowly filling up a Live 8 Photo Gallery page I've created on my photoblog.
I applied and I got it. I just got the email stating that I am one of the lucky bloggers receiving full press credentials to cover Live 8 Philly on July 2nd, that's this Saturday.
I was going to cover the incredible event anyways equipped with my D70 and my laptop + WiFi card, but now, I'll have more access which should result in some cool stuff. I'll be posing, live, over at Philly Future throughout the day with photos, Q&A, observations, etc... So get ready folks, this is gonna get going soon.
I didn't know the names of everyone else's blogs from the email, so I'll wait until they're up on Joe Trippi's site at some point. Congrats to everyone and I'll see you all there.
There's also the slim chance that up to five of us will be given the opportunity to travel to Edinburgh [and back] to cover the start of the G8 Summit.
In addition, Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines has donated his airplane to fly the Live 8 crew from New York to Edinburgh and back, and up to five bloggers will be given the opportunity to fly to Edinburgh and back with the Live 8 group. The idea is to blog the trip, including the beginning of the G8 summit. The flight departs from JFK in New York at 7 p.m. on July 3; the same airplane will bring the bloggers and whoever else back to New York on July 7. Lodging in or near Edinburgh will also be provided.A kid can dream... I just saw [1.15a 6.30.05] that John from AMERICAblog will be heading to Scotland. How many spots are left?
Some info I've already been compiling about Live 8: general info, internet/wifi access, traffic.
One of the bloggers also selected, coming to Philly all the way from Dallas, TX: Anna of annatopia. Read her reaction to the news and welcome her in advance to Philly!: Anna will unfortunately not be able to make it to Philly. Another Philly-area blogger selected is Chris Bowers of MyDD. Matt from The Blogging of the President is another member of our gang. And Brian from Audio Activism is another blogger coming to town. This is going to be awesome!
Good God! That would be so cool! Were you really just "lucky" or did they look at the content of your blog and see what work you've been doing before picking you?
Posted by: Mark | June 29, 2005 at 01:25 PM
Congrats! I can't wait to see your coverage.
Posted by: Dave | June 29, 2005 at 01:36 PM
We're all lucky! I'd like to think that the powers that be loved my photos so much that they'd bring me on as the official photographer of Live 8 and the G8 summit and pay me oodles of dough, but no, I don't think so.
Posted by: Albert | June 29, 2005 at 01:39 PM
I'll be posing, live...
Heh heh... congrats on getting in. They made a good choice, especially given the quality of your photography.
Posted by: JLo | June 29, 2005 at 03:28 PM
Hey Albert, I promoted this post over at Philly Future -- congrats and best of luck!
Posted by: howard | June 29, 2005 at 05:29 PM
Congrats! That's awesome! I can't wait to see your coverage!
Posted by: Sarcasmo | June 29, 2005 at 06:12 PM
hey! so nice to meet you! thanks for the shout out.
i linked to your post & site from my lil' corner of the net.
it will indeed be an amazing experience. i'm looking forward to just soaking it all up and hoping to see some great shows. the best thing is that i remember the original live aid - it was so awesome. and i hope that this time the efforts to combat global poverty don't just fade from the american consciousness.
Posted by: annatopia | June 29, 2005 at 08:43 PM
Take a look at NowPublic when you want to put your pics up. They're an open source media site.
Posted by: rzklkng | June 29, 2005 at 10:06 PM
Congrats Albert you deserve the recognition! It will be great to follow the event through your reporting.
Posted by: Jim | June 30, 2005 at 12:53 AM
Thank you everyone for the kind words!
Anna, it's gonna be a fantastic ride we're about to get on.
rzklkng, I'm well aware of NowPublic; I've been posting there for a little while now [http://www.nowpublic.com/user/1351]. I'll be sure to post images up there as well for everyone to use. But I'll primarily be using Flickr, I feel it's a little easier to use.
Posted by: albert | June 30, 2005 at 01:03 AM
Live 8 is wise to have coverage by bloggers, and fortunate that someone with your writing and photographic skills will be one of them.
Congratulations on being one of those breaking down barriers for bloggers, and for having a record deserving of this kind of recognition.
Give my best wishes to Matt Stoller of The Blogging of the President: it looks like I will be stuck in Harrisburg helping to wrap up this year's budget deliberations.
Posted by: Rep. Mark B. Cohen | June 30, 2005 at 02:11 AM
Congrats, Albert. Looking forward to your photos and coverage...
Posted by: Becky | June 30, 2005 at 09:27 AM
Great job!
Posted by: PSoTD | June 30, 2005 at 10:34 AM