Shooting Wrestling/Jiu Jitsu

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Sonya Natasha

Thanks

I currently train in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (quite the long handle, hey?). I have only trained in BJJ for a few months, but I have been doing Shotokan Karate in the same dojo for 5 years. I train only casually now with the BJJ but I train 3-4 nights a week with karate.

I've been thinking of a smaller zoom lens (ie. 28-70mm f2.8) too but most of the locations that our tournaments are held are the same locations and the 50mm and 85mm work great. And I need to resist the urge to buy new lenses for a little while

Here are links to some of my other shots:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - Grand Falls-Windsor, NL - a set on Flickr
Shotokan Karate Seminar - Sensei Mark Minarik, October 2009 - a set on Flickr
(most of these were actually taken with my Panasonic Lumix FZ18)

I'll check out your shots.

Interesting as I trained Shotokan for a while when I was younger. Had to stop right as I was about to test for my black belt because of health issues and never got back to it. I prefer grappling as I'm a very physical guy (big dude) and just nice to grab someone and try to choke the life out of them.

[Jim Bryant]

Here at South Kitsap they turn off all the overhead lights except one overhead spot flood light, which makes it difficult when trying to photograph wrestling. SO, I'm posting the first image shot with just the overhead light and other images where I used three Canon 550 EX strobes and my ST-E2 transmitter on camera to fire the flashes.

I used ISO 800. Camera set on manual at f2.8 @ 250th second shutter speed. The flash units were set @ -1/3 power and positioned at one flash at three corners of the mat.

The SK Wolves beat Shelton 75-10 and extended their league winning streak to 165 leading back to their last league defeat in 1992. The last three pictures are of my son Colin, who wrestles at 103 lbs and is 15-2 on the season. Unfortunately, he lost this match 9-7.

[Sonya Natasha]

It's too bad that you were never able to make it to shodan...
I am currently preparing for my grading for 1st kyu in 2 weeks. BJJ is definately a different style, but I find the martial arts in general addictive

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Here at South Kitsap they turn off all the overhead lights except one overhead spot flood light, which makes it difficult when trying to photograph wrestling. SO, I'm posting the first image shot with just the overhead light and other images where I used three Canon 550 EX strobes and my ST-E2 transmitter on camera to fire the flashes.

I used ISO 800. Camera set on manual at f2.8 @ 250th second shutter speed. The flash units were set @ -1/3 power and positioned at one flash at three corners of the mat.

The SK Wolves beat Shelton 75-10 and extended their league winning streak to 165 leading back to their last league defeat in 1992. The last three pictures are of my son Colin, who wrestles at 103 lbs and is 15-2 on the season. Unfortunately, he lost this match 9-7.

Very nice. I can't compete with your equipment list.

You son wears the same wrestling shoes I have.

Here they keep all of the lights on (at least at the matches I've been to). So the lighting is a little better but still not great.

For the MMA fights I plan to shoot, they do just that--turn off all lights except lights on the cage/ring. So I'll run into that problem. However, I cannot set up remote strobes even if I had them for these events.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by Sonya Natasha

It's too bad that you were never able to make it to shodan...
I am currently preparing for my grading for 1st kyu in 2 weeks. BJJ is definately a different style, but I find the martial arts in general addictive

Good luck with your test. It certainly is a great way to track your progression through the style.

It used to bother me I never did it but not any longer. The school I practice in right now does not do belts--it's not pure BJJ--and I don't really care. I compete and the medals are more of an accomplishment (to me) than a belt. But I understand why others want to make it through and earn a black belt. Maybe one day--when I get too old to compete (I'm 40)--I may want to work on getting a black belt. I'd have to learn the gi though. Much different than no-gi.