How I Shot That - Spinning Competitive Figure Skater

How I Shot That - Spinning Competitive Figure Skater

Lens Sony 70-200 f4 G OSS - http://amzn.to/2oUsCx8
Camera is Sony a6000 - http://amzn.to/2ELLKIr
Setting 1/500 second, ISO 1600, 200mm Focal

This is Kendal at a competition in Grand Rapids, MI.  Michigan was hosting the State Games of America competitions back in August of 2017.  This was a large cross section of sports from winter sports (hockey and figure skating) to the classic summer sports (baseball, track and field, boxing).

Kendal's heart was into this competition.  She had been used to this music for a long time.  I had to play catch up in terms of feeling the music and anticipating when movement would ensue.  So it is interesting that I feel like, even though I am not a skater in any way, that I've started predicting some movement.  Such as spins versus jumps. 

I've mentioned in a previous post that at this event I prepared by renting the Sony 70-200 f4 G OSS lens from Lens Rentals .com.  It was very useful with photographing these skaters on the ice rinks.  Even though this photo had to be zoomed in all the way, it was able to help capture all of the movement up and down the sheet of ice. 

When a skater starts spinning, it can be pretty nice for us photographers.  The spins usually have to be done several times in each position to be counted as a position, add to that that the skaters are trying to do several positions per spin!  Wow, what opportunity!  Here, Kendal is working on the grab portion of her spin, elongating her position with her hand over her head and yet maintaining balance.  I know I have the shutter speed set to freeze the motion, but this still tells you that there is movement. 

Something about a skater's dress, and the crystals on them.  Figure skaters have crystals such as these Swarovski ones that were applied to her dress. The dress had many added to it.  They were added to help her to be visually accentuating to her movements and position.  As you can see, it is easier to identify her bend backwards needed for this move.  Crystals like these are available in bags such as these from Amazon.com

Something of a technical nature when shooting photos at an ice rink, your light meter in your camera is going to be wrong. You will need to keep the meter at about plus 1 if you shoot manual. Make sure when shooting skaters that you have some room to move.  These skaters move fast so you need to be able to turn with them.