Wrestling: High school state championships

[MT]

from this weekend. Eight matches precluded any use of off camera flash for me, so I attempted to shoot close to ambient and just let the flash clean up the images a bit.

All with a 5D, 70-200f2.8L and either a 550EX or 430EX

http://www.pbase.com/marceline/image/74463804.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marceline/image/74463805.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marceline/image/74463795.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marceline/image/74463809.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/marceline/image/74463796.jpg

[Heatseeker99]

Great shots!

[asysin2leads]

I like the look in #4. It's like he's saying, "Hey, ma, watch hits." Nice shots.

[drandtus]

Great shots, love the facial expression in #1. I just got my 85 f/1.8 last week and will be using it in the coming wrestling weekends, but you have now opened up the argument for a 70-200 f/2.8!

[Jayson Prentice]

Excellent shots in all of them, I've been shooting wrestling now the past couple of weekends, but just don't have that fast of a lens to get such dramatic shots like yours. Great captures of the action...

[RonnieA]

sweet. some of the better wrasslin' shots i've seen around here.

[PhotosGuy]

Good work!

[Ize]

Great Shots. Nice Lighting.

[MDJAK]

Definitely among the best wrestling shots I've ever seen. I've been shooting wrestling for a few years now but haven't gotten those results.

One thing that helps is that when you shoot the championships, you get the best combatants and awesome moves as you've clearly documented.

Great job.
mark

[MT]

I am flattered.

As Mark notes, the quality of the competition greatly enhances the shots, but at every level, you will not find harder working or more deserving athletes.

[movol]

hey...I saw this story on the local news and was wondering if you got to see the kid from a school in the stl area(i think) that didn't have any lower legs(below the knee)...he lost his final match 1-0 and took 2nd in the state in his class...(112 lbs)

Inspirational to say the least!!

[MT]

Trevor Bunch - remarkable story. I watched his quarter and semi matches -someone else shot the finals - he is an amazing kid. The arena was electric during his semi-final match, I don't there was soul there that wasn't standing and applauding that win.

[MDJAK]

I am flattered.

As Mark notes, the quality of the competition greatly enhances the shots, but at every level, you will not find harder working or more deserving athletes.

I just wanted to be sure you didn't think for one second I was taking away from your excellent pictures by pointing out the high quality of the competition. As I stated, I've probably shot over 5,000 wrestling pictures and haven't gotten results as good as yours. Now I can continue to strive to do as well as you have.

mark

[MT]

Mark, I understood completely.

[calicokat]

These are all great, #3 is my favorite

[kenny8]

greats shots. I'm attempting state wrestling this weekend. I have not tried camera mounted flash up to this point. but will now. can I ask, did you shoot ttl (auto) or a manual?

thanks,
Kenny

[MT]

With on camera flash, I set the camera in manual mode, with the exposure very nearly at ambient (although typically slightly underexposed 1/3 to 1/2 stop) and used the flash in ETTL mode.

[redemptioncalls]

about the kids with no legs, i was able to video tape his final match up close. i was working at the mat next to the one he was wrestling at. im on the local HS wrestling team, but not good enough to get to state, or even make varsity. but it really was amazing. a ton of photographers there no doubt.