Cheerleading Competition

jchin

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.

Photosbychuck

Not sure which camera or lens you are using but set it to shoot burst mode.Set up your camera to shoot as fast as you can.You will also need to use your fastest lens the one with the lowest F stop (2.8 would be better in low light than a 3.5 lens).It might shoot 5 fps to 7 fps. Then lower your F stop as low as you can.If you are going to shoot inside go to the gym early and take some practice shots.Raise your ISO as high as you can without making the photo get alot of grain look to it.If you are going to be close to where she will be tossed then also use your flash (external flash if you have one) external flashes will help you light the subject better.You will need to have a shutter speed around 500-800 to freeze her in the air.If you have time to rent a 70-200mm 2.8 lens it will do a good job.You can rent a 70-200mm 2.8 lens for around $140 for a week at most camera shops.Good Luck,Charles

jchin

I plan on using my Canon 7D set to 8fps. I already have a 70-200/2.8L IS lens. So I guess I have the gear already.

jchin

Oh ... I was told flash photography is not allowed. Then again, at 8fps, I won't be able to flash anyway.

pth

Pin down the exposure settings. What iso do you need at f/2.8 with at least a 1/200 shutter (1/400 would be even better but depending on the lighting it might not be a good trade off). Set it in manual and stick with it. Err a bit over exposed. Pushing under exposed pictures is very noisy.

You probably want to shoot in raw, light color in most gyms is a real mixed bag (especially at faster shutter speeds).

Practice, timing is something that takes work.

I don't know anything about the 7d's focus settings so I will let someone else make specific recommendations. But I like to use the back focus button so I can keep my intended target in focus and not have the camera get confused. (this when I shot bball but I have hunch it applies here as well).

Good luck and have fun.

tjl1388

Is it competitive cheerleading at a venue or high school cheerleading in a gym?

Shoot Manual, 2.8, 1/500-1/640 at the lowest. I shot a comp. at the new Amway arena this weekend and I was able to get into the 1/1000+ range and it showed in the shots. I was in heaven, it was literally point and shoot.


Go out a few groups ahead of the one you want to shoot and set your WB and shutter speeds. Most competitions use good lighting. If it's in a high school gym you'll need to follow the advice above.

If you have the space for RAW shoot with it. I don't but I shoot 6-10 teams and simply don't have the CF card space.

This is from this weekend. If anything its a tad over exposed but it sold.


Even the boys got into the fun.


Here is a link to my most recent stuff. If you have any questions give me a shout.

http://tjl1388.smugmug.com/Orlando-Allstars

rogerchester

I shoot in raw because of the lighting cycles different colors. I set my iso as low as possible to get my shutter speed least 1/400. My favorite is a 70-200/2.8L IS lens. I sent my focus center if you dont it will focus on the closest thing it sees. If you can use a bi-pod or tri-pod it will help. If you shoot in jpg the colors will vary because of the bright color of the uniforms. try to shoot burst of shoots when they are in the air this will help you to catch them in the air. Good luck show us some your shots from the event.

jchin

Nice stop action! I hope I can capture something like that. Thanks for the tips (keep them coming).