Gymnastics Dad's.........Reunite!

[fugfuggy]

The season is upon us once again and it is time to share our experiences.

A lot has gone on with me during the off season. We had a political mealtdown within the gym, fired our team coach, created a new booster club and I built a new website for the boosters, www.gsgboosters.com (http://www.gsgboosters.com).

My little monkey went through some hardcore training under coaches Carley Patterson, Morgan White and Kerri Strugg. She went from Level 4 to Level 6 and has been collecting medals all over town. Yes I am a proud Dad! Here are a few from the latest meet.

I would love to hear how all of your girls are doing cause I really enjoyed following their progress last year. So, c'mon gymdad, grandy, rcavanagh, and the rest, get to posting!

http://images27.fotki.com/v991/photos/1/1034366/5339957/DSC_0606-vi.jpg

http://images27.fotki.com/v984/photos/1/1034366/5339957/DSC_0579-vi.jpg

and here is my little monkey (first place on beam ;))

http://images29.fotki.com/v1014/photos/1/1034366/5339957/DSC_0547-vi.jpg

This was the hang 10 invitational in San Diego, California. Like shooting in a cave. All shot in manual, 85mm F1.8, 1/250.

[fugfuggy]

and a couple more of my favorites:

Monkey with Carley, Morgan, and Kerri.

http://images25.fotki.com/v944/photos/1/1034366/5119919/100_2104-vi.jpg

Blew this one up poster size for her room as a surprise and she does not like it because her back foot is not pointed :cry:

http://images6.fotki.com/v880/photos/1/1034366/5035714/DSC_0261-vi.jpg

[Lacks_focus]

Congratulations to your daughter, and nice shots!

Our season starts soon too (two weeks). First a local practice / demo meet, and then on to the stuff that counts. It has been a long hard summer for my daughter as well. Should pay off for her. She has improved a lot and worked hard to overcome an ankle injury that took her out at the end of last season. She’ll compete at level 7 this year. She was level 7 last year too, but I don't think she was truly ready at the time. Different coach, different gym, long story! I don't know who's more nervous about the practice meet, me or her! I have to shake out the cobwebs on the indoor sports photography skills; she's had the chance to drill all summer... I haven't shot gym yet with the MK2, last meet was with my old 10D, so this should be interesting. Hockey season starts this month too, so back at it!

No new pics to share, but my gallery has some of the stuff from last year still in it.

[rcavanaughjr]

Season for us starts end of this month in Ameila Island, FL. I have a Level 4 and Level 5 this year.

I don't have any new photos, but should have some towards the end of the month.

I have also contracted with our local gym to be the "official" photographer at the meet at the end of October. Yay me!!! Making plans to print onsite, so I should be quite busy planning this first time venture.

Good luck to all the Gym Dad (and mom I think we picked up one early this year) forum members and their respective gymnasts.

[gymdad]

Hey, all!

Hard to believe that meet season is almost here again--ah, I can smell the chalk dust in the air (and on my sensor) already :-)

You all are several weeks ahead of us. My girls won't compete until late November. Jessie is going to move up to Level 7 for sure, and might skip on up to 8. Emily is working on moving up to Level 10, but if that doesn't happen she'll do a second year of 9.

I don't have any new photos, either.....just last season's. Fugfuggy....you're way ahead of us!

Politics in your gym, Fugfuggy? We had the same thing. Everything is slowly righting itself now, but what an uproarious summer!

Take care, everyone!

[fugfuggy]

Well, it appears that our season start way before everyone else. We are already two meets into it with another coming in two weeks. I hope that our little group expands this year and we continue on well into the future. I will keep posting with results and pics.

Cheers

Richard

[dharmon]

Hi Everyone
About a week ago I was asking for some advice on shooting gymnasticsand got some really good info. So some of you may remember me. Thanks to all. I ended up with an xti, an 80 f/1.8 and due to gymdads input decided to dig deep and buy a 135 f/2 Saturday I packed up all my new gear and off I went to shoot my first gym meet. The 135 stayed on my camera most of the day as I found the focal length about right. Gymdad you were were right about the 85 being just a little short, although I did find it useful at times. BTW my 7yr old level three placed 3rd/bars 1st/beam 1st/floor
1st vault and 1st/overall. I'm looking forward to more! This my first experience w/gym and I think I'm hooked.

What a great thread! Looking forward to sharing my experiences with like minded folks. Thanks again guys for your help getting started.

[gymdad]

Hey, dharmon.....

Glad we could help! Sounds like you're off to a great start, and congrats to your daughter!

Roland

[bwolford]

I have also contracted with our local gym to be the "official" photographer at the meet at the end of October. Yay me!!! Making plans to print onsite, so I should be quite busy planning this first time venture.

I'd be interested in what this means. Are you going to be taking photos that participants will purchase at the meet? I'd certainly like to learn more. I'm about to take new team and individual photos as a fund raiser and I've considered offering to do their meet photos too. Just not sure I have the technical know how to pull it off. :)

We're hosting the Swinging Safari meet next weekend. I hope to take some pictures on Saturday to kick off my gym photo season. All compulsory levels. Not sure if they hired a photographer this time. The last one they hired took orders and credit card numbers and then skipped town! I'd prefer we did it in house if I can figure out how to work the presentation and ordering side of the gig out. Not sure about hiring another photog though. I'd have to see their work in gymnastics before I'd even consider it. Anyhoo, you are a brave man and are treading water I'd like to try soon.

My athlete is going level 10 this year. Season starts in January (in house meet in December). Just got her Geinger after 2 months of trying and countless rips. :D Everything else is kicking but. I'm sure it will be an eye opener like level 9 was, but she'll get there. She's got 4 years to impress colleges... GULP.

Can't wait to see your photos.

fugfuggy, nice images. What camera did you use?

And congrats to your monkey! She looks great along with all the other monkeys in the jungle! Good luck this season!!!

[dharmon]

Hey, dharmon.....

Glad we could help! Sounds like you're off to a great start, and congrats to your daughter!

Roland I hope you guys are ready to offer up lots more of that help. I'll sure be needing it! As soon I'm able I'll post some pics for a little umm....make that a lot of C&C.:lol:

[fugfuggy]

fugfuggy, nice images. What camera did you use?

And congrats to your monkey! She looks great along with all the other monkeys in the jungle! Good luck this season!!!

Hey Brice,

I am still on the dark side with regards to gear, Nikon D50.

We just had another meet yesterday and this season has gotten off to a rocky start. She started out on fire winning everything and now she has mentally checked out to the point that her coach made her scratch on bars yesterday:(

Hopefully things stabilize for her soon.

[bwolford]

Fugfuggy, not everyone is perfect. I won't spread your Nikon secret.

I know what your are going through on the mental check out. How old is she? It's hard to remember were talking about very young kids in most cases and the fact they even get the leo on sometimes is a miracle.

She'll pull through. Better now than at the end of the year or during state and regional competitions. My girl did OK last year, but pulled it together at the end, when it counts, to do very well, with the exception of one beam hiccup, at nationals. Part of the sport!!!

[GBRandy]

Mine starts in October.......can't wait...need my MKIII by then though....hope they fix that AF issue soon!

Here are a few I found laying around........

http://www.ymcagymstars.com/2006_07_events/DoorCty/DoorCtyJalbum/slides/RSTRRST3016.jpg

http://www.ymcagymstars.com/2006_07_events/Manitowoc/ManitowocJalbum/slides/STA1100.jpg

http://www.ymcagymstars.com/2006_07_events/State%202007/slides/RandyTess173.jpg

[GBRandy]

Blew this one up poster size for her room as a surprise and she does not like it because her back foot is not pointed :cry:[/IMG]

I quit doing that as well......I get these great shots only to have my daughter point out the style flaws and discard it as useless and ugly! gah.... :p

[CarrieW]

Very proud Dad! I would be so scared. I guess you get used to it after a while. Fantastic pictures!
Carrie

[fugfuggy]

Fugfuggy, not everyone is perfect. I won't spread your Nikon secret.

I know what your are going through on the mental check out. How old is she? It's hard to remember were talking about very young kids in most cases and the fact they even get the leo on sometimes is a miracle.

She'll pull through. Better now than at the end of the year or during state and regional competitions. My girl did OK last year, but pulled it together at the end, when it counts, to do very well, with the exception of one beam hiccup, at nationals. Part of the sport!!!

Brice,

She is now 8 yrs old, competing level 4 but training 5&6 (coach tells me that she will not spend much time in 5 so good to get L6 skills now?). She bounced right back in practice yesterday so all is good in her world again. :lol:


Richard

[bwolford]

Brice,

She is now 8 yrs old, competing level 4 but training 5&6 (coach tells me that she will not spend much time in 5 so good to get L6 skills now?). She bounced right back in practice yesterday so all is good in her world again. :lol:


Richard

Good to hear. 8! Wait until she's 13/14 and the hormones start flowing... I was the devil last week, this week I'm kind of cool. My wife's a BEAAATCH though, at least this week. :)

[GBRandy]

Good to hear. 8! Wait until she's 13/14 and the hormones start flowing... I was the devil last week, this week I'm kind of cool. My wife's a BEAAATCH though, at least this week. :)

Ha! Mine is 14 going on 23.....my wife and daughter fight like crazy and 30 minutes later it's like nothing happened...help.....

I told my daughter when she turned 11 and still thought I was God that each day from here until 21 I would get dumber and dumber....now when she yells at me all I say is "See, I told you so...." That really gets her PO'd :)

[Hikin Mike]

Ha! Mine is 14 going on 23.....my wife and daughter fight like crazy and 30 minutes later it's like nothing happened...help.....

I have two daughters...9 & 6. Both going on 25!

[pigtailpat]

I only have boys, but I would be so nervous seeing the little ones flying several feet in the air on a slim little beam (I myself was always afraid of heights and that beam when I had to do it in school). How do you guys handle that and stay calm enough to take pictures? :D

[fugfuggy]

I only have boys, but I would be so nervous seeing the little ones flying several feet in the air on a slim little beam (I myself was always afraid of heights and that beam when I had to do it in school). How do you guys handle that and stay calm enough to take pictures? :D

Repetition. I was a bit nearvous watching her at first but after seeing the routines over and over and over, and having suffered through a fractured elbow, and watching other girls get hurt and bounce back, you just get used to it I guess.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[GBRandy]

Yea...when you go pick up your daughter at the gym and the ambulance is outside you just kind of hold your breath and walk in....so far nothing for my squirt, but we have seen three very nasty compound fractures, several "normal" breaks and a few sprained ankles, knees & elbow's....

Just goes with the territory....these girls are amazingly resilient...wish I still was :(

[bwolford]

And they are tough. I don't know how many times I've seen one of them in the gym on an exercise bike riding with a broken arm or doing leg ups with and ankle cast on.

You soon learn that coming off the bars or vault in full twist or flip is much more dangerous than falling off that tiny little beam. :D

[dharmon]

Repetition. I was a bit nearvous watching her at first but after seeing the routines over and over and over, and having suffered through a fractured elbow, and watching other girls get hurt and bounce back, you just get used to it I guess.:rolleyes::rolleyes: I had only considered injuries as a passing concern. I figure the coaches are doing their best to prevent it from happening. But after fugfuggy's post and the next 2. I'm getting NERVOUS :shock::razz:

[fugfuggy]

dharmon,

I think that if you accept it as part of the sport (minor injuries that is) and bulk up your insurance to ensure that specialist services are covered, then there is not much to worry about. Like they said, these girls are tough, fearless and resilient.

[bwolford]

They could get hurt in any sport. Gymnastics is no different. These girls would be into something rough and tumble (soccer = blown out knees, concussions, cuts and bruises; field hockey = broken arms, blown out knees, split lips, cuts and bruises; snow or water skiing = broken bones, backs, necks, cracked skulls). Any list I provide is for illustrative purposes only :D

They aren't the type to sit around. The coaches are usually spotting during practice and even meets. They'd rather a girl drop .5 for a coach touching them than break something. This isn't the Olympics :)

Worrying is a natural part. I know moms that can't watch certain events. They leave the gym during a meet for some particular event.

Dads usually read the newspaper or make a call LOL. They want to look brave.

[dharmon]

You're right they are tough! So far I've only seen bruises (looked like she had been beat with a stick) youguys know what I'm talking about, and blistered hands and legs. You could tell she was hurting. At one time I suggested that maybe this was a little much for a 7 yr old. Well.... you would have thought that I had beaten her! She loves the sport & couldn't even think of quitting. She takes the pain and drives on. You have to admire that.

THEY"RE TOUGH:evil: :DAND DRIVEN

[jdizzle]

These are some great shots Fug!

[GBRandy]

Sorry...not meant to scare anyone away! Brice is correct. These girls are active. They aren't the type to sit around and play video games (although we did by a Wii). If they weren't into gymnastics, it would be something else.....

These kids are tough, take the pain and drive on (as DHarmon says).....One of our gymnasts dislocated two fingers on her right hand the day before the State competition. Mom said she was done and couldn't go. The girl worked it so she could ride with us (3 hour drive) and "watch her teammates" compete...Mom said OK, but kept her leo.

I was unaware, but when we arrived the girl bought a purple leo that kinda matched the team's color and competed on Vault. She took first and boosted the team score. These kids are tough. Cruddy picture ( I need to clean it up....ISO 3200 & underexposed due to really poor lighting...) but check out her right hand.....

http://www.ymcagymstars.com/2006_07_events/State%202007/slides/RandyTess303.jpg

[dharmon]

I'd like to know if how everyone is shooting. handheld, mono or tripod?

[GBRandy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
hand held for me.

[bwolford]

Prefer a mono, frequently have to use handheld techniques, try to avoid tri pod because it is so cumbersome.

[fugfuggy]

hand held for me as well. Tried a monopod once but found it to restricting.

[dharmon]

Thanks again guys,

I have an RRS L bracket and was going to buy a tripod to use with it. I was thinking I'd get better shots. However, I also thought the tri might be too cumbersome and restrictive. Looks like everyone agrees. No tripod!

I guess I'll sell the bracket and practice holding the camera still!
Any suggestions on reducing hand held camera shake?

[Hikin Mike]

Since I'm already cumbersome because of my wheelchair, I may try my tripod tomorrow...

[fugfuggy]

dharmon,

if you are standing up, place one foot in front of the other to create a steady base; bring the camera to your eye, squeeze your elbows to your side, hold your breath and squeeze the trigger!

Hope this helps

[GBRandy]

dharmon,

if you are standing up, place one foot in front of the other to create a steady base; bring the camera to your eye, squeeze your elbows to your side, hold your breath and squeeze the trigger!

Hope this helps

Old sharp shooter trick....exhale ever so slightly and at a constant rate during the shooting...it really helps.

[bwolford]

Where's the representation of our sport! I know you've shot some meets by now. Start posting!!! Don't make me come over there!

Skaters (ugh) and football (both kinds) is eating our lunch! There are over 100,000 girls and boys doing gymnastics and you'd think only 10 of us are taking pictures of them. :lol:

[Hikin Mike]

We don't get another meet until the end of October. I've been told that one of the meets is not handicapped accessible. :evil:

[bwolford]

Sounds like a law suit to me :) Actually, I'm not one to sue, never have hope never to have to...

I hope they can make some accommodation to you. Usually, these gyms will try to do whatever they can for folks. Give them a call. You might get on the floor near the music table or scoring table!!! Woo hoo. :D

Do not volunteer to run the music! I've done it and is nerve wracking.

[fugfuggy]

Ask and ye shall receive:

Our last meet in Corona California. The worst gym in the world!

http://images29.fotki.com/v1009/photos/1/1034366/5401130/DSC_0166-vi.jpg

http://images28.fotki.com/v1027/photos/1/1034366/5401130/DSC_0184-vi.jpg

http://images28.fotki.com/v1029/photos/1/1034366/5401130/DSC_0163-vi.jpg

http://images27.fotki.com/v1021/photos/1/1034366/5401130/DSC_0217-vi.jpg

And my little monkey on the right with her BFF.

http://images28.fotki.com/v1032/photos/1/1034366/5401130/DSC_0281-vi.jpg

I look forward to the day when I quit making rookie mistakes. I only managed to get 32 keepers from the competition cause I really screwed the pooch with the camera settings. I took my 85 1.8 with me, shot in manual as usual, but forgot to lock the apperature to 1.8, instead shot most of the meet at 5.0. I thought the shutter was awfully low but then again that gym was atrocious. I finally figured it out on the last event. Blah! Did not really matter cause all of the other events were either too far away or too cluttered to get any decent shots.

[bwolford]

Thanks for the fix. ;) I see the color variation. Exact same problem I had last time. These are nice shots.

[Hikin Mike]

It was an older building and there were steps all over the place!

Nice shots!

[GBRandy]

Worst Gym in the world? Nah.......There is one location in MI we travel to that has deep yellow lights (Mercury maybe) When you look at a carrot under the lights the carrot looks white....no kidding.....

The lights run down the center of the room so you have facial shadows to no end...it is AWFUL!!!!

Here is an old shot from Jan 2006 (Nikon D100 :rolleyes:) before I knew how to correct white balance.

http://tessfamily.com/Photos/MandM/slides/DSC_7861.jpg


And one from Jan 2007 on the exact same beam and under the same lovely lighting ( and a little more knowledge on WB and composition):

http://www.ymcagymstars.com/2006_07_events/MandMJAlbum/slides/_H0Y3041.jpg

[bwolford]

Randy, It's amazing how we learn from our mistakes. I know you, rcavanaugh (sorry can't remember your first name), Roland (gymdad), and fugfuggy really turned my work around last year.

I've posted 3 of 4 sessions at the Swinging Safari Meet (http://gallery.newtampaconcierge.com/g/tbt_gallery) gallery. When you visit, keep in mind this is a gallery to sell pictures to the parents for the boosters. I, in no way, am trying to sell anyone here anything. I just didn't want to post a second gallery for those that might want to take a peak at my most recent work. All images shot JPG to save card space (I forgot a card or two and had to make do. I usually shoot raw) and then corrected with curves.

So Randy, roland, fugfuggy, and rcavanaugh, I thank you for all of your tips. I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting there. I appreciate all of the advice!!!:D

[rcavanaughjr]

You are more than welcome for what meager advice I might have given.

As I have said before, it is great to have a sounding board to bounce things off. I have no one locally that has the interest in photography that I have.

Although that may change soon, as I been training an "apprentice" (he would kill me if he knew I called him that). My brother-in-law is going to help me take pictures during my new Rec Department league agreement. I am quite sure that teaching someone the basics of photography will be somewhat easier on a field than struggling in a gymnastics gym. ;)

****Let me clarify the apprentice comment. That is saying that he would be learning from a master...of which I am nowhere close to being. Just have a little experience under my belt and some great tips I have learned from folks on this forum.

Richard

[bwolford]

Richard, Or is it Obi Wan? :)

At the last meet, I couldn't believe the number of SLRs I saw in the audience, most with lenses poorly suited to taking decent images at the venue, but there had to be at least 6-7 white 70-200 lenses in the stands at some point during the day. Now, I couldn't really tell if they were F2.8 or F4, but they were all over the place. MANY XTI, some #0D models, and some Nicrap.

I'd say the majority had the new longer kit lens that Canon is packaging (can't remember the specs). Point is, they were all over the place. I wonder what this holds for the sports photography business...

Can't wait to hear your you and your dutiful apprentice do.

[GBRandy]

I too find the advice here invaluable. Having a group of people working through the same difficult issues is refreshing. There is no one around that I can really really on for coaching....although a friend of mine is an AP Sports photographer, I kinda hate "talking work" when we get together...I save that for the BIG requests.

Hope all of you keep posting and sharing techniques on this difficult subject.

[rcavanaughjr]

That is a topic that seems to be discussed alot in the Business forum. People get a fancy camera and begin to take pictures thinking that they can sell them....wait that is how I started. :oops:

Seriously though, I think it comes down to the quality of the picture and the ability to market yourself. I think I am pretty good at taking pictures. I am not great, but I am getting better. I can snap off 400 pics at a baseball game, but nobody cares until I market what I am doing and where they can go find it. I teach batting lessons at the local hitting academy. I make contacts there. Both daugthers are in gymnastics and my wife coaches Level 2 and 3. I make contacts there. The hitting academy is ran by the assistant recreation department director. He and I played baseball against each other in college in the early 90's. That is how I got the contract with the Rec Department.

I say all that because I think the business side (and who you know) far outwieghs the photography side. Sure you have to be good at photography, but you business and marketing sense will make or break you.

BTW Brice, I sent you a private message.

[fugfuggy]

Brice,

I have looked thru your entire safari gallery and I wanted to offer up some feedback. First I have to say that you have come a long way from last year, for that matter I think we all have since we have banded together and shared our experiences!

Now, on to your gallery. I would be very interested in hearing how your for-sale-efforts turn out financially cause it is something that I have been considering for our booster club. From the looks of your photos it seems that you really struggled with the lighting. Most of the images seem to have washed out skin tones. I don't know if this is out of the camera or the effects of post processing. It also looks like a lot of your images have excess noise. I see that you shot a lot of level 4. Given that I think you missed some quality shots that I know parents love. For example:

http://images29.fotki.com/v1009/photos/1/1034366/5401130/DSC_0166-vi.jpg

http://images24.fotki.com/v865/photos/1/1034366/4693689/Pictures036-vi.jpg

The good thing about compulsories is you can plan your shots ahead of time.

Another suggestion is to crop tighter to really focus in on your subject, especially on bars where there are so many distractions. Another example:

http://images23.fotki.com/v868/photos/1/1034366/5020749/DSC_0015-vi.jpg

Lastly, where are the pics from the awards ceremony? These are the ones that my parents really cherish.

These are just my humble opinions so take them for what they are worth. Keep posting and please let us know how the financials are working out.

[Hikin Mike]

I've been selling my landscape/nature stuff for a few years now, but I haven't wanted to sell sports (gymnastics) yet. I know parents would purchase the pictures and I'm sure I could be allowed to shoot from the floor...I saw another photographer with their own team there. My "problem" right now is a) Do I really want to start doing that for OTHER parents. b) I should try and get some faster glass and third...I think until I can walk again, it's going to be almost impossible to try and take "good" pictures from a wheelchair. There's too many obstacles!

[bwolford]

Fug,

There were 4 sessions, 2 level 4 sessions, 1 level 5 and 1 level 5/6. Shot an even number of sessions in each level based on the girls in the level.

I did struggle with light. Some of the post did wash the skin out, but these are proofs and should be better when I spend more time on the production images. You do make a good point, even if it is not direct, that proof sell the production so they need to be better. I do agree.

I tried to save some OOF shots with sharpening and I only had marginal success.

I appreciate the posing examples, I'll look for those next meet.

[fugfuggy]

Okay Randy,

You got me on the worst gym :P

[HotShots]

I've been lurking around the gymnastics threads for quite a while -- gathering information and waiting (very impatiently!) for the season to start.

I've already picked up a ton of advice from Gymdad and others. Hopefully, as the year goes on I will be able to repay the help by offering something of value.

My daughter is moving up to Level 7 this year. She is excited about getting to do her own routines. I am excited about listening to some different music during the meets.

Every year my daughters gym kicks off their meet season with an outdoor tumbling exhibition at the local Czech Festival. Here's a few of the highlights --

[HotShots]

one more...

[Hikin Mike]

WOW...Outdoors!! Nice photos, BTW!

[fugfuggy]

Hotshots,

I love gymnastics because I can escape college football, an there you go posting OU branded gymnast. I am a huge USC guy so I will have my revenge!!!!!!!! :razz::razz::razz:

[HotShots]

Thanks guys.

This exhibition is always a fun way to get the season started. Being outside, in the middle of the street, let's people who have never seen or cared about gymnastics get an appreciation for how difficult the sport is and how hard the girls work. It's almost as fun listening to the crowd as it is watching the girls.

This girl provided the true highlight of the day. Not because of any spectacular tumbling but simply by the fact she was tumbling at all. Last year at this same exhibition she landed funny on a back handspring and snapped both ankles. She was determined to continue competing.

I like the fact that gymnastics keeps these girls physically fit. But I LOVE the fact that it is teaching them courage, strength of mind, focus, etc. This is a great sport.

[rcavanaughjr]

We all can only dream of taking gymnastics pictures outside.

That would make it too easy. :D