After shooting many artistic gymnastics meets, I got a chance to shoot some rhythmic gymnastics for the first time last weekend. I was very impressed with the level of talent. Even the young level 3's impressed! The number of beyond 180 degree split leaps I captured was crazy. And this was just a smallish local invitational meet!
Thank you all! I don't often have time to post here, but certainly lurk a lot. I've shot alongside many of the frequent posters in this forum include Paul and John, and am humbled everytime I see their work posted here. I should make an effort to post more often.
Paul this was just a regular meet at a local high school gym. I was expecting some decent talent, but was really floored by what I saw.
Other interesting rhythmic facts: The floor is just a carpet, no spring floor. Basketball hoops have to be left in the down position to avoid being hit by thrown props. One gymnast still managed to get her ribbon stuck in the rafters
I cannot express my awe and amazement over the quality of these captures without using words that are not allowed on this forum. Ditto for the images on your pbase site that were fleetingly available while you were posting. That vault sequence was unbelievable.
I really need to ban myself from this forum and learn how to shoot gymnastics.
Definitely agree with what's already been said, John-- great series, and really interesting. Some talented kids, but damn does my back ache looking at #24.
Incredible shooting and talent displayed through RG.
The colors of the outfits and props, combined with the stop action body positions almost beg for a try with strobes shooting at -3stops to ambiant to blacken the background.??
gschlact wrote:
Incredible shooting and talent displayed through RG.
The colors of the outfits and props, combined with the stop action body positions almost beg for a try with strobes shooting at -3stops to ambiant to blacken the background.??
Guy
Strobes are essentially a No-no with gymnastics, so I'm sure it is the same with this. Ambient it is, and try to blur the background with fast glass is about all you can do.
Matt OHarver wrote:
Strobes are essentially a No-no with gymnastics, so I'm sure it is the same with this. Ambient it is, and try to blur the background with fast glass is about all you can do.
I guess that just leaves PP as the only option to blacken the background ;-)
It seems that strobing might be allowed for rhythmic gymnastics but it's a definite no-no for artistic. I've seen this sport twice now and I'm convinced the girls are made of rubber. It's amazing to watch.
John... insanely good. And I've seen lots of rythmic gymnastics, so it isn't the extreme flexibility or the pretty costumes that is impressing me. It is how you fit it all in. No cutting off ribbons and toes. These moments are milliseconds, so when they are captured as you have done, it really makes me admire and appreciate your talent as a gymnastics photographer.
John, hate to pile on lol, but very nice work here enjoyed all of them. I to started to take note so I could type the ones I liked the best and just decided it'd be easier to note them all. Thanks for sharing these with us.
