PHOTO OF THE WEEK ‘Presidential visit? Check’

I finally got an opportunity to cover a presidential visit. I’ve photographed lots of candidates, but never the president. It went very smoothly on Monday, largely because everything was pre-approved. When I arrived at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, where President Bush was speaking, I got in a line that allowed people on a list to enter the hotel.

I made it through three checkpoints, and the last was the biggest. My gear was hand-checked, and Secret Service agents looked through my viewfinders as if they were beginning photographers. Another one held my smaller camera away from him like it was a smelly fish. A bomb-sniffing dog went through my open gear bag. A Secret Service agent was always at my side.

We were then quickly escorted to where the media were set up, some since 5 a.m.

It was very competitive. When Los Angeles Times photographer Mark Boster saw me searching for a spot, he graciously said I could stand on the chair where his gear had been resting. He’s one of the best Orange County shooters.

Once in place, I stood my ground ? on the chair ? for more than 50 minutes, never coming down for fear of losing my spot. It paid off. When the president arrived, I had a nice open view and no obstacles.

? Don Leachdpt.25-president-4-dl-CPhotoInfoHJ1QF5V420060430iy8szhncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)President George W. Bush speaks to members of the Orange County Business Council in Irvine on Monday.