I had the opportunity to add a new event to my repertoire: show skiing. My cousin and his niece both participated at the 2025 Midwest Regional Show Ski Tournament the last weekend of July in southern Minnesota. The competition team ranges in age from teens to 40-somethings.
I shot the entire program for my cousin's team with the R3 and 200-400 f/4 combo from shore. The distance to the boat and skiers made the built-in TC incredibly helpful. This was my first time shooting any show skiing and the program (Willy Wonka themed) was a very interesting combination of skiing and theater. I've included the skiing only though there was some narration, acting, and dance as well.
The team used traditional water skis, swivel skis (which allow the skier to pivot 360 degrees), a stool attached to skis, and hydrofoil to do various tricks (not that I can name them). The team featured ski lines, duos and trios, pyramids, and solo performers. There was one ramp as well, so the team incorporated several group jumps.
Unlike normal, I shot these all in RAW for maximum recovery in harsh conditions. The sun was slightly behind a lot of the performers so harsh shadows abound and I cleaned up some in post.
C&C welcome.
Skiing Backwards
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens400mmf/4.01/2000s200 ISO+0.3 EV
Skiing on a stool.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT lens560mmf/5.61/1000s200 ISO+0.3 EV
Up in the air.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens400mmf/4.01/2000s200 ISO+0.3 EV
Off the dock in a line.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens400mmf/4.01/2000s200 ISO+0.3 EV
Front flips off a ramp.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens329mmf/4.01/2500s200 ISO+0.3 EV
Backwards duo.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT lens473mmf/5.61/1000s200 ISO+0.3 EV
Small pyramid.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens300mmf/4.01/2500s200 ISO+0.3 EV
Medium pyramid.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXT lens420mmf/5.61/1250s500 ISO+0.3 EV
Artistic duo.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens400mmf/4.01/4000s500 ISO+0.3 EV
Final pyramid.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens300mmf/4.01/6400s500 ISO+0.3 EV
Looks like a fun show! I would guess this was difficult to capture in a lot of ways, whether with your angle to the skiers or the glare off of the water, harsh sunlight, etc. But, you did a nice job of giving us a feel for the program and skills involved! Thanks for sharing!
crteach wrote:
Looks like a fun show! I would guess this was difficult to capture in a lot of ways, whether with your angle to the skiers or the glare off of the water, harsh sunlight, etc. But, you did a nice job of giving us a feel for the program and skills involved! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Carol. I appreciate it.
It was indeed difficult to get it all right the first go around. I hope I get another chance.
Here is a photo from one of the on-shore dances/presentations. I was impressed with the choreography.
Canon EOS R3EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens278mmf/4.01/1250s200 ISO+0.3 EV
