Cheerleading Competitions

My little cousin is in a cheerleading competition and was wondering if anyone can give me suggestions on capturing her? She would be the little one tossed into the air during their floor show. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Not sure what gear you have available, but the 7D is the perfect body for capturing fast pace movement of kids in athletic competition. Also, the venue lighting will have a lot to do with your ability to come away with good shots. For example, a standard high school gym, (or equivalent) requires a lens at f/2 and ISO around 2500 to get shutter speeds of 1/640.

You probably don't want to go below 1/500 on the shutter to somewhat freeze the motion of the girls. Given the shutter speed you'll need, adjustments to aperture and ISO to get good exposure are required.

Good luck and let us know how you did.

dave

Snyderman, click on JChin's "gear" in his signature; he already has great equipment to capture great moments.

I've been photographing my daughter's cheer team for 3 weeks now and the girls and their parents love my shots. As an aside, my 7D arrives by UPS tomorrow.

As for advice, try to know the routine so you can be ready for a tumbling pass, or a throw/fly. The toe touches are great captures but quick. The scorpions and leg extensions are easier because the girls are held up there for a few seconds. When on floor shouting at spectators/judges, try to zoom in for some facial expression shots.

Ask your cousin a little bit about the routines and where she is on the mat so that you can set up appropriately. I left the stands and now shoot from the floor. If doing auto, keep tabs on where your focus lies; the kids shift position alot.

I plan on using my 7D set on 8fps. However, should I use a 50mm/1.4 or the 70-200/2.8L IS?

I use my 70-200. It provides more flexibility for me. Although, I picked up a tamron 17-50 this weekend and will try using two bodies at the next comp.

It all depends on where you'll be shooting from. The 70-200 has limitations from close range, but I think that'll be your best bet.

I don't think you'll need to go crazy with the fps, except maybe for the tumbling passes.

My little cousin told me she is front and center. Unfortunately their coach changes the routine at each competition so she cannot tell me when they are doing what.

I do intend to shoot from the floor. Her dad is going to video from the floor so I would be shooting next to him.

Mike, can you show me some examples along with their settings so I have a mental image of what to use and expect (or hope to capture)? Thanks for the great tips.

I had a feeling you would ask that. I'll work on some for posting.

Thanks in advance Mike.

First one shot at 70mm, Tv, 1/640, 6400 ISO.
Second shot at 80mm, Av, 1/500, 3200 ISO.
PP in CS5 & Neat Image. Different venues, so different high school gym lighting.

I know the focus point is off on them, and I'm working on fixing that. That's one of the reasons I ordered a 7D.

Search the forums and you will see much better photos from people in the business who point out their settings/gear. I search practically every day for guidance. There's always something more to learn, fix, etc.

-Mike

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Johnny,
Another thing to do is know how the girls set up right before a stunt. For example, before they do a walk over, they'll put their hands up and point the foot out. Or right before they do a toe touch, they pause and prepare to jump.

It helps to know these things. And knowing is half the battle (cue theme song for you 1980s tv generation people).

JChin,
The 70-200 2.8 lens is my go to lens for cheer and dance and just about anything to do with sports.Second up would be my 200 1.8 but it is much less versitle.
It seems odd that the coach would change the routine for every performance it would be counter productive and the routine would suffer more than benifit. Tweeking maybe but big changes do not help. My daughter has been in volved with cheer sinces she was 6 and will be a senior in HS next year and has been on national championship teams in thier div. both at the HS level as well as Allstars. Looking at your profile pic you would want to shoot center or stage left of center (rightside facing), this makes it eaiser to see whats comming with your left eye...make sure you shoot with it OPEN.
This side also gets the best shots of stunt builds and bases.
Depending on what level she is this postion will also produce more undesireable images that should be deleted. Stage right will get you nice (apealing) shots of flyers but harder to predict (see) whats comming. As mentioned above if you know the routine or can go to a practice or two you will get a feel for where you need to be on comp day.
You shouldnt need more than a 2-3 shot burst but keep it on High for the speed. shooting tumbeling passes going away from you will result in mostly undesireable images. AI servo, spot (single) point focus and I use back * button focus. Manual setting and as mentioned you will want to maintain 640 at the minimun for SS.
Depending on avalible light you will probebly have to shoot wide open but dont be afraid of getting your ISO up and maybe shoot 3.2 or 3.5 stopping motion is key to a great shot with hopefully all extrimities within the DOF.
You can check out some of my work from NCA/NDA nationals and Worlds from last year at my FB page or go to www.jni-ss.com I think the link to my site below is not working.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Look forward to seeing your images soon

Johnny, Jeff is one of the posters whose posts I rely on a lot. He has great tips. Free plug, Jeff. No charge.

LOL... thanks Mike.
Looks like your rockin that 7D. Weve picked up some (5) locally (bigger) events for us this year, were scrabling to get our severs and equipment ready to handle to heavier loads of traffic onsite. All while doing some shows for other companys on top of it.

Ah the life of a photographer, eh, Jeff? Sounds like a big headache for prep, but from what I've seen of your work, the product is worth it. Oh and sorry if I was not clear in the above post. My shots were taken with the T2i. My 7D is being delivered tomorrow. And I hope to rock with that one!

JChin wrote in post #11742404
My little cousin is in a cheerleading competition and was wondering if anyone can give me suggestions on capturing her? She would be the little one tossed into the air during their floor show. All suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

A fast lens, high ISO and fast shutter speed helps.

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