Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Another Gymnastics Season in the Books

Hard to believe that the University of Utah home gymnastics season is already over.  6 meets.  It's been fun to photograph these competitions.  Lots of thought, time and energy has gone
into trying to capture the beauty of the sport.  I also work at not capturing the same shots at every meet.  On all fronts, some successes and some failures.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the season.  (Click on the images if you want to see larger versions.)

A bit of fisheye magic
Beautiful.  There's really no perfect angle from which to shoot this, but I like this one well enough.
Floor exercise up close and personal with a 200mm lens
Should have kept the beam in frame, but I still like this one.
Future Red Rock.  She was riveted to the Jumbotron.
I'd have to fall from a roof to manage this position.
13,00 fans, opponent competing on floor, meet in full swing.....time for a social gathering.  I love the relaxed, comfortable engagement of this one.
Pretty damn close to flying in my book.
About that falling from a building comment...
Double-barrel jube.
Keeping her eye on the prize.  I thing shooting from a low position adds intensity to this shot, and also minimizes the distraction of the videographer in teh background.
It took me 6 meets to find the best angle on this graceful moment.
A crowd of 15,558 was on hand to root on the Red Rocks at their final home meet.  High-tailing it up the steps to the top of the arena between rotations, grabbing some crowd shots, then booking it back down in time to shoot the first competitor........that's dedication!



Thanks for looking.  Let me know what you think.  I'd appreciate hearing from you.  Lots more photos from this season here.




3 comments:

  1. Honored to be the first to comment. How many seasons have you done this? As a fan who has watched the Utes for 20 years, I have had the pleasure of watching the photographer become a fan. Not just a fan of the sport but a fan of the athleticism and beauty that surrounds it. I think, but I could be wrong, that it is a part of what you bring to your photos. When you said that it took six meets to get the shot of Jackie, (awesome by the way) it shows your respect of the sport and what the athletes endure to give us that pose. I remember that same determination to get the shot of Ashley. I'm sure that having a daughter who is an athlete and works as hard as she does, gives you another perspective.
    Congratulations!

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  2. Thank you, from one fan to another. Certainly I am attempting to bring the beauty and athleticism to my photos. For me as a sports photographer, gymnastics is unique in this regard. Great action moments and awe inspiring athleticism are common to all sports, but beauty, grace and elegance are hard to come by. All of your insights are on the mark. And you may be surprised to learn that the shot you referred to is of Mary Beth, though Jacqueline strikes a very similar pose.

    Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts.

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  3. Damn fine set of captures, Russ-- you've outdone yourself with yet another Utah gym season of shooting. I'd say you've met and far exceeded your goal of expanding your approach to angles and comps.

    Well done, buddy!

    Tom D

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