Artistic gymnastics is one of the most fun sports to photograph. The athletes routinely launch their bodies through the air in seemingly impossible ways. Capturing them tumbling, vaulting, and spinning presents unique photographic challenges. Although, by knowing how to approach it in a professional way, a photographer can come away with some gymnastics photography.
General Rules in Gymnastics Photography
There are a few general rules when photographing gymnastics. The first and foremost is to keep still. Often, there are gymnasts simultaneously competing on five apparatus on the event floor. The gymnasts are separated into groups of five or six. These groups rotate around the floor in stages.
At any one time, male gymnasts are competing on the rings, the pommel horse, the parallel bars, the high bar, the vault, and the floor routine at the same time. Groups of women compete on the balance beam, the uneven bars, the vault, and the floor routine simultaneously. With so much happening all at once, photographer movement needs to be restricted so as not to distract the gymnasts. Photographers are allowed to move only when the groups of athletes rotate to the next stage.
Another general rule to consider when photographing gymnastics is to wear black or dark colors. Photographers should blend in and, again, not cause distractions. If one were to show up in a bright shirt or distracting clothing, it can throw off a gymnast’s routine. These gymnasts are concentrating and a distraction can lead to a mistake, stumble, or a fall, which can lead to serious injury.
Angles and Positions for Gymnastics Photography
Photographers are mainly allowed shoot from the perimeter of the event floor. Usually we are able to walk around the entire perimeter on all four sides, to be in position for a specific apparatus. For example, if one was shooting the vault, it is usually possible to move around so that gymnasts are running full speed down the runway directly toward the photographer. The beam is best photographed from the side. To shoot that, one can walk over to the area on the perimeter closest to the side of the beam.
There are also a handful of floor spots for select photographers inside the event space. These are generally reserved for the agencies and photographers who might be looking for a few certain athletes on certain rotations. Sometimes, an apparatus — like the rings — is set up so that the best angle is from inside the event space. The media manager usually holds a meeting before the beginning of the session to determine who can go inside and when, so it’s fair for anyone who needs specific coverage.
Best Gear for Gymnastics Photography
Gymnastics events take place in halls or arenas that are generally not very well-lit. Fast prime and zoom lenses work well in this situation. Photographers on the outside generally shoot with a 400mm f2.8 lens, a 300mm f2.8 lens, a 200-400mm lens, or a 70-200mm f2.8 lens. On the event floor, a 70-200mm f2.8 lens, a 24-70mm f2.8 lens, a 200mm f2 lens, and a 135mm f2 lens are generally used. Photographers often experiment with fisheye lenses and lens filters. A star filter used while shooting up into the lights can yield some dramatic effects as well.
Camera Settings for Gymnastics Photography
Ideally, it’s best to shoot wide-open so the backgrounds are blown out of focus and the shutter speeds can be as fast as possible to freeze the subject. The gymnasts are often flying through mid-air, or tumbling and spinning fast, so a shutter speed above 1000th/sec is generally best. A monopod for long lenses is pretty useful to help keep the action steady in the frame.
Light temperature can be difficult in gymnastics as well. Depending on the arena, the lighting can be fluorescent, or daylight, or some kind of mixed combination. If there is a scoreboard above in the center, it could also throw off some lighting. It’s best to experiment during practice or warm-ups so that it’s dialed in by the time the competiton begins.
Tips for Shooting Gymnastics Photography
For anyone getting started in gymnastics photography, here are some useful tips to remember.
Always Do Your Research
First, do some research beforehand. Find out who is competing and when each of their rotations take place. Plan your coverage so that you are moving from place to place to best cover that rotation from the best angle. Know who you need to cover so that you can maximize your time to make sure to get those gymnasts. Each gymnast has one chance to compete in each rotation. Plan accordingly so you don’t miss their turn at a specific apparatus.
Know Your Equipment
Just like anything, the less you have to worry about your gear, the more you can concentrate on the subject. If you don’t have a long lens, plan your coverage so that you can shoot in locations around the event that may not require such a long lens. For example, shoot the apparatus that are closest to the perimeter. Know how to best expose for low-light conditions.
Ask Questions
As a professional photographer or an amateur photographer, we are always learning. If a situation arises that you don’t understand — such as why a gymnast is doing something — ask another photographer or even a volunteer. Often, people around the event know a lot about the sport in general. Ask questions to obtain the best information you can to help figure out where to be for the best coverage. Who’s next on the floor exercise? Which way do the rings face? Where is the vault landing area? Just like any other sport, photographing gymnastics requires some knowledge of the sport and each situation.
Take Chances
Gymnastics can yield some truly dramatic images. Take some chances. Sometimes, while it may be best to shoot tight with a long lens, think about pulling back a bit and showing the gymnast in relation to the ground. This might communicate just how high he or she is in the air. Or, slow down the shutter speed. A gymnast might spin around and around the high bar. Slowing down the shutter speed can make them look like a blurred ball or give the impression of the speed at which they are moving. Not every image has to show a clear face or a clear move. Sometimes images convey a sense of the movement without having to be literal. Try some different angles, lenses, and exposures to create some interest in the images.
Often the backgrounds can help enhance an image. A full crowd can convey how many people are there watching the event. Or, creative framing can enhance an otherwise boring, straightforward image. Move around to try different things. You might be amazed with how different you can make your images compared with other photographers at the event.
Photographing gymnastics is a pleasure in a lot of ways. By adhering to the few rules — such as remaining still during competition and wearing drark clothing — it’s a creative wonderland. Gymnasts launch themselves in all sorts of directions and seem to defy gravity. Capturing them in mid-air at peak action is challenging. By knowing who to follow, how to navigate the rotations and the apparatus, and understanding what gear and exposure to use, a gymnastics photographer can solidly cover an event and come away with some unique and interesting images.
For more on this topics, check out What I Learned While Photographing the Olympics.
