advice on gymnastic photos, pls...

[stlsprtsmom]

Hi, if anyone can give me advice on how to shoot really great gymnastic photos I would GREATLY appreciate it. I am new to the Canon 20D and have been shooting with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM IS lens with both a tri & mono-pod. I have had great success for my son's hockey photos, but I can't seem to get the same quality shots for gymnastics.

Problem is, I am unable to completely stop the girls motions and if I do then the picture is really dark. I tried shooting them at ISO 800, 3.5 & 2.8 aperture, in AV Mode. I tried shooting in Manual mode on 2.8, the pictures still came out really dark or still really blurry if in better lighting. I even tried the TV mode at really various shutter speeds. I am sure that I am doing something basic wrong in my adjustments, but am at the moment at a loss as what to do. I have just been trying random settings, with very little success, and would so like to capture memories for my daughter who is a Lvl 9 gymnast this meet season.

If anyone could please set me in the right direction, I would be really appreciate it.

Thank you.
Carol G.

[Andy_T]

Carol

I haven't tried low light sports, but I have some experience in using ISO 1600 or even 3200 on my 20D ... and it works.

You'll have to apply noise reduction (like the free noiseware community edition) later, but what is important is to get the shot.

Best regards,
Andy

[stlsprtsmom]

Thanks Andy, a friend of mine suggested Noisware too. Haven't tried it yet, but I definitely will.

[robertwgross]

I suspect that flash is out of the question, since it might disrupt the subject.

I would see if the coach would let you "stage" a shot with some continuous lighting. In other words, have about four big 500-watt halogen lamps surrounding the subject, and probably standing tall on ten-foot stands. Then, with proper ISO and a good lens, it ought to work. For lamps like that, you would want to do a custom white balance.

---Bob Gross---

[eastcoast909]

Carol: Just a quick note before I go home.

I did a quick search over on Fred Miranda on this topic in the sports section. Generally they recommend a lens faster than f2.8.

here is one link where they talk about the settings.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic2/226622/0#1869897

Not sure of what your budget might be but some of the l-primes would be a great candidate for this, the 85 or the 135 depending on where you might be sitting.

As Andy all ready stated, push the iso. The 20D is excellent for this. It has very low noise even at the high iso settings. Go as high as you can if you have to. You need to get the shutter speed up much faster than you have in order to freeze the action.

[stlsprtsmom]

Thanks, John, I am checking the link out now. Budget? Ha!! Budget, I don't need no stinking budget!! Just kidding. Between my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM IS lens & my Canon Zoom Lens EF 16-35 mm 1:2.8 L USM - I have already given my husband a heart attack, but what the heck, he still loves me!!

I will keep playing with the ISO, never pushed it up any higher than 1600, but will try and will work w/the shutter speed.

[stlsprtsmom]

Thanks Bob, I wish the lighting could be an option, but unfortunately what I am hoping to do is shoot the girls competing / meet situations. Perhaps for some individual shots I could use lamps for the girls. I will keep your suggestion in mind.

[mdm]

You may want to try and bump up the ISO to 1600, shoot raw and in av mode. Use a noise reduction software to remove grain if needed.

[Andy_T]

Budget? Ha!! Budget, I don't need no stinking budget!! Just kidding. Between my Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM IS lens & my Canon Zoom Lens EF 16-35 mm 1:2.8 L USM - I have already given my husband a heart attack, but what the heck, he still loves me!!

Then he'll hardly notice a small EF 85/1.8 :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[stlsprtsmom]

LOL!!! Sounds like a great idea!!

and I will tell him he has you to Thank!! (Seriously though, although OMG i am only 39 years old, I have come to the realization that in about 3 year, all 3 of my teens will be off and on their way to college, leaving me an empty-nester. :cry: So for me, whatever memories I can catch now, are worth any price of any lens out there).

Besides, aren't us women worth it? (okay, now, don't answer that one!!)

Off to start researching the EF 85/1.8...

[Harry Settle]

You seem to already have the right equipment to get this job done. Gyms where gymnastics is being done, I don't consider low light.

Make sure that you aren't too close to the girls.
Pan.
Choose moments in their routines where the motion is slower.
Anticipate your shots.
Watch out for backlight situations. (shouldn't really be a problem)

You should even be able to get acceptable shots from the top of the bleachers.

[stlsprtsmom]

Thanks Harry....

I checked out the pics from "gymnastics-my first attempt" on the forum, and found that the photographer used a Canon EOS20D and a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L lens on AV mode set on 2.8 but only used the central AF point, so I knew I had the right stuff to get the job done, just lacked the knowledge/experience to do it. Thanks for your input. I will try anything in hopes of getting the right shots.

[Harry Settle]

Just keep pushing the button!

I shot gymanstics for the last 10 years with less sophisticated equipment. You will do just fine.

BTW, gym practice is a great time to experiment with settings. The girls are repeating the same moves over and over, which gives you a chance to play around with your camera.

WARNING!!! It won't be long before they are after you to do team or individual photos. Be prepared.

[Harry Settle]

I took a moment to check out the thread that you were referring to.

You should notice that in all shots he posted the girls were at the apex of a move, that split second where they are actually nearly motionless. The exception was the beam shot and the vault.

[stlsprtsmom]

Thanks Harry...hope you had a chance to check out my pics that I sent you the link for. Maybe once you see them you'll understand why I need so much help. But I am a stubborn...and will not give up until I get what I am looking for. Took me about 5 hockey games or so (at about 200 shots per game) to get my setting pretty much close to perfect, and I figure it will probably take at least that long to get the gymnastic shots where they should be. My husband says I'm obsessed, I say I am a perfectionist, my kids just say I'm crazy!

PS...I checked out your wedding photos. Very nice. Gives me some great ideas for taking pics.

[JX]

Hi stlsprtsmom,

I have shot gymnastics for two years. I doubt that you will find many gymnastic meets that you will be able to shoot lower than ISO 1600. Major events held at colleges or arenas will have acceptable lighting. When events are held at local high school gymnasiums the lighting is a little better. However, when the meet is held at a Gymnastic club, expect very low level light.

You have the right equipment. Try the noise reduction software, and shooting at ISO 1600. Don't get frustrated Gymnastics is a very difficult sport to photograph.

.

[loweb3@nventure.com]

As an ex-yearbook advisor, I'd suggest that you try shooting some of your shots head-on where motion will be minimized rather than trying to shoot from the side.

And, as others have suggested, keep shooting, and you're sure to get lucky with some shots, i.e. those where the gymnast is momentarily stopped.