advise needed on Cheerleading competition, thanks

[morenoar]

I don't know if this is the correct place to ask, but taking my chances. I am going this weekend to a Cheerleading competition. I have a 10d, 50mm 1.8 and 100-400L. Hopefully my 550 will be here before the weekend. I don't know what the lighting will be like. It is inside a collage gym of some sort. Yes, I know more information would help on the lighting situation, but can't get more information than this. I am not shooting for sale of pictures or anything like that. My 2 nieces are performing and would like to get some good pictures of them. All ideas are needed on how to shoot. I have 4 512mb CF cards, so I will be shooting RAW. Thanks for all and any help

[DocFrankenstein]

100-400 is too slow for inside...
50mm may be too short

Ideally you'd have 70-200 f/2.8 :?

Or get 85/1.8 ? is it? The non L version?

[dhbailey]

Be prepared to shoot in burst mode a lot to get some pictures while they're in the middle of their routines. They can be so energetic and other than the ending of the routine you can't be sure when there will be a camera pose.

Good luck, and don't hesitate when you think you should take the picture -- they aren't posing for you, and as soon as you see anything worthy of a picture take it! They have only a specific amount of time to do their routine so poses they may hold a bit longer if they were at an actual sporting event being cheerleaders will be cut short.

Shoot a million pictures, even if you end up with only 3 that are worth anything. Trying to make every picture perfect will result in you losing a lot of other great shots.

Make sure you're in a position where the heads of those in front of you won't get in the way, and realize that just as you're about to shoot a picture, someone sitting in front of you may decide to get up and go to the bathroom, so stand in a spot where there won't be anybody in front of you.

Good luck!