Figure skating photography captures the elegance and artistry of figure skating. It requires a keen eye and the right techniques. With the right approach, you can create stunning images that showcase the beauty of this graceful sport.
If you want to improve your figure skating photography skills, look no further. Here are eight tips to help you capture the beauty and grace of figure skating in photos like a pro.
If you’re shooting at an indoor rink, it can sometimes be a busy atmosphere. All the surrounding people and objects in the background can make it difficult to take isolated photos of skaters.
Use a telephoto zoom lens to help you zero in on the figure skaters. These lenses let you frame compositions without distractions. A good, affordable zoom range is 70-200mm. It’s also a better alternative to later cropping your photos, which can compromise image quality.
Remember that some telephoto and zoom lenses don’t work quickly in low light. You may have to compensate for that by increasing your ISO and using a larger aperture.
If you don’t have a zoom lens, sit as close to the rink as possible. You can use a prime telephoto lens to take sharp photos in low light or use wide-angle lenses to take atmospheric photos. Read our article on the best sports photography lenses we recommend.
Camera settings are more specific in figure skating photography than in other genres. But once you feel more comfortable with them, you can capture the right moments without stressing out.
If you’re shooting in a building with fixed lighting, you must make adjustments. To capture movements sharply, use a large aperture of at least f/2.8 and a fast shutter speed, like 1/1000 s (seconds).
The faster your shutter speed, the darker your images are. To compensate for this, increase your ISO. You won’t ruin your photos with grain if you don’t use an extremely large number.
Never use a flash, as it distracts the skaters and produces unflattering results. Most importantly, shoot in RAW file format for high-quality results and a more detailed editing process.
You should be able to move around the skating surface, whether indoors or outdoors. This lets you experiment with the available light, whether artificial or natural.
The photographer shot against a light source to create the elegant silhouette below. To recreate this, ensure there’s no light in front of or next to your model. The only light source should be the backlight.
You can also use direct light for striking portraits and side light for more mysterious photos. The only way to find your favorite type of light is to experiment with these and the ones you encounter on location.
Indoor figure skating centers don’t always have the best lighting available. Many are made to flatter the entire stage, not the subjects. You might have to work with bright, warm colors or cool tones.
To make the most of any lighting, manually adjust your color temperature. Some modern sports cameras offer a custom temperature tool that can be slid back and forth to balance out any colors.
If this isn’t enough, you can alter the colors further in editing programs. Adobe Lightroom is a go-to software for many photographers with problematic color temperatures.
You can edit the hue, saturation, and luminance of every color in your image. This is perfect for removing vibrant distractions or making your figure skater’s outfit stand out more.
Outdoor figure skating is perfect for meaningful, atmospheric photos. Zooming out lets your model skate without worrying about awkward poses or expressions.
Wide shots let you photograph urban landscapes, cityscapes, or the indoor rink. Use a narrow aperture, like f/11, to ensure everything is focused. Ensure the lighting evenly hits everything so you don’t have to adjust your exposure. Cloudy days are ideal for this.
Pexels photo by Snapwire (left). Unsplash photo by Maks Styazhkin (right). Shot with a Nikon D90, 1/250 s, ISO 500.
There’s much more to figure skating than jumps or twirls. There are opportunities for portraits and documentary shots. Focusing on details, like figure skates, can help tell a story with a series of photos.
If you want to take it further, you can even document the entire figure skating experience. Photograph preparations (makeup and outfit), warmups, the skating performance, accepting gifts, etc.
Having a variety of photos will make your figure skating portfolio more interesting. It’s also an opportunity to shoot unique perspectives that may not have been available without a little curiosity.
Unsplash photos by Jahir Martinez (left). Shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 50mm, f/2.2, 1/200 s, ISO 800. Kelli McClintock (right). Shot with a Sony a7 III, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/250 s, ISO 800.
Motion blur is a handy technique for many photography genres involving much movement. It can help you guide the viewer’s eye, create a sense of movement, and create smooth compositions.
Most images that feature motion blur tend to be abstract. Depending on your approach, you can create selective blur or blur your entire photo.
The panning technique involves moving your camera with your subject simultaneously. This means you must know beforehand where the figure skater is headed. This keeps the skater in focus and blurs out everything else. Often, the blur resembles paintbrush strokes.
For completely abstract pictures, use a slow shutter speed so your camera captures a series of motions over a long period. This results in an elegant blur of movements like in the image below.
Some styles of dancing, like ballet and figure skating, are sports that require intense focus. Looking pretty isn’t always a priority. Some skating moves are more intense than others. So, your model might cringe or look surprised when you least expect them to.
If you want to capture pleasant facial expressions, take photos of simple figure skating moves. The more comfortable your subject, the easier it is for them to smile and look relaxed in pictures.
You can learn a few figure skating jumps and some terminology. That way, you’ll know what to expect and can discuss moves with the figure skater.
Unsplash photos by Logan Weaver (left). Shot with a Canon EOS 6D Mark II, 200mm, f/2.8, 1/1,250 s, ISO 1250. Nathanaël Desmeules (right). Shot with a Canon EOS 90D, 116mm, f/4.5, 1/1,000 s, ISO 5,000.
Figure skating photography might seem like a difficult genre to master. But it’s easy to get comfortable with.
This genre offers a unique opportunity to freeze moments of athletic prowess and artistic expression. Practice and implement the tips shared in our article. You’ll elevate your skills and produce captivating images that do the sport justice.
