Figure & Fitness: 20D One Year Later (8 pics)

[drisley]

As mentioned in this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=63268), I got to finally take my 20D to another bodybuilding/fitness show this Saturday. These things only come around once every 6-8 months, so it's hard to practice.
Another constrait is using primes when you are assigned a seat ;)
Luckily, I was able to chose between 3 rows, so I could move back and forth a few feet when needed.
There was not a lot of fitness in this show, so I was unable to get very many good action shots. What a shame considering the lighting was so good in this theatre. I was able to get 1/1000s shots wide open at ISO1600!
The full set of shots are available at http://www.fotop.net/sharpnsmart/novice2005

And for those who say fitness competitors aren't feminine....

85.0mm, f/2.2, 0.0010 s (1/1000), iso1600
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005fitness/IMG_6197.jpg

135.0mm, f/2.0, 0.0006 s (1/1600), iso1600
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005fitness/IMG_6487.jpg

135.0mm, f/2.0, 0.0010 s (1/1000), iso1600
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005misc/IMG_6452.jpg

135.0mm, f/2.0, 0.0012 s (1/800), iso1600
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005misc/IMG_6424.jpg

http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005fitness/IMG_6488.jpg

A couple slightly blown action shots:

135.0mm, f/2.0, 0.0012 s (1/800), iso1600
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005misc/IMG_6435.jpg


http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005fitness/IMG_6480.jpg


And the winner is!
http://images2.fotop.net/albums/sharpnsmart/novice2005fitness/IMG_6640.jpg

[Michaelmjc]

some great bodies on those girls, good pictures.

thnaks for sharing.

[nat869]

Fabulous pics!!!! I am jealous of the quality you are getting out of the 20D. Those high iso images just can't be beat. I still love my 10D, but I just shot a pro show in San Francisco a week ago, and am somewhat dissapointed with my results. I definitely made a pitch to get a 20D...........I guess it will wait for awhile, LOL.

By the way, those are some really hot sexy girls for an amateur show!!!

[drisley]

Wow, thanks so much Nat869.
I really value your opinion because I know your relation to fitness competitors (one in particular) ;)
Yes, this year's novice competitors were excellent! Probably the best crop of fitness and bodybuilding competitors ever!
The girl in #3 was actually putting on an intermission performance, and she is a pro.
Btw, I'm lucky enough to have the Canadian National Fitness And Figure competition being staged in my town next month! Yippee! Having 2 events so close together will be so nice, rather than having to wait 6 months :)

[Todd Jacobsen]

Why did you move off of the 85mm? Did you just want to check out the 135?

Was the difference between 85 and 135 just three rows?

[drisley]

Todd,
Yes, I bought the 135F2L mainly with this/these event/s in mind.
So, I really wanted to try it. Also, I wanted a slightly tighter crop than with the 85F1.8II, and more background blur.
The difference was probably about 5 rows. I moved back 2 rows, and the 135mm was still quite a bit tighter than the 85mm.
The 135mm images are shown pretty much as they were taken. But the 85mm shot was cropped a fair bit. You can see better blurring in the 135mm images as well (alteast the ones I didnt blow)

[3oh6]

really great shots dris...i like the fact that you have last years photos and this years photos to compare your progress with. obviously the equipment is better, but so is the one operating that equipment and the results really show...good stuff from a very tough setting to shoot in.

i use to be a nutrition coach for a few amatuer body builders and fitness competitors in SK a few years ago before i was glued to a viewfinder, but thinking back to the venues i could only imagine trying to capture photos like this.

[DieselGirl]

Great Job drisley. We'll have to chat. I also shoot Bodybuilding shows. :)

[drisley]

Thanks DG.
I just got another look at the action shots, and I kind of messed up.
However, there were only 4 fitness routines that nite, so I didnt get much practice.
Next month is a national fitness show, so I will get lots of great experience.
Drop me a private message, and I will send you my email so we can share thoughts on shooting these shows :)