On The Road

August, 2005

Hi and welcome to this edition of On the Road. I traveled to the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania to join a good friend, Bruno Klaus and his family at their summer camps for some brochure/advertising work and summer fun. Each year Bruno and his wife Cheryl update their summer gymnastics camp and sports camp brochures with new images. This job would involve spending a week at camp documenting all the facilities and activities. I covered many aspects of camp life beyond the obvious rigors of athletes training. Here is a look at International Gymnastics Camp and International Sports Training Camp near Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania.........................

Image #1 International Gymnastics Camp is perhaps the finest facility for gymnastics training in the country and is under the directorship of Bruno's son Brent Klaus. The camp services both Men's and Women's gymnastics programs. This image shows the men's gym that is one of four gymnasiums on the camp grounds were young gymnasts and future champions are coached. The use of foam pits for gymnastics training is a necessity for today's gymnast. My Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye Lens would help emphasis this key feature of the camp. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/30 at f4, Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye Lens, WB Preset, Lexar 4G Flash Card. To date I had not used the preset WB very much but the mix of lighting in the gym lead me to believe this would give the best results, and it did, perfectly.
					Image#2 Dance training is an important class in the daily schedule of the female gymnast. The dance studio is a beautiful building with mirrors on one side and floor to ceiling windows on the other side. While some ambient light filters in late in the day I needed to shoot this group early in the morning. The solution was the Nikon SB800 Speedlight system with wireless iTTL. I clamped two SB800s (power output +1) to a shelf in the corner of the studio and one SB800 (power output +1) to a shelf just over my left shoulder...each unit was attached to shelf with a Bogen 175F clamp (Justin Clamp) about 10 feet high. The iTTL mode worked very well as the gymnasts danced about throughout the studio. The three remote SB800's were activated by the Master SB800 (power output off) on the hot shoe of my D2X. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/250 at f5.6, 12-24mm Lens, 4 Nikon SB800 Speedlights, Bogen 175F Clamps, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image#3 Recreation time at camp is important and a big part of camp life. Gymnasts of all ages and abilities work hard at their sport at IGC, but the daily recreation time is a wonderful break from the gym. The classic three legged race was just one of many relay races the campers enjoyed one afternoon. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/1000 at f5.6, WB Sunny, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, SB800 (power out put -1) on the hot shoe, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I achieved a ground level look by kneeling down and holding the D2X about an inch above the sand. It is not always necessary to look through the camera to compose the picture and take a shot.
					Image#4 Both the Gymnastics camp and Sports Training camp are equipped with a Trapeze rig and professional instructors. This phase of the weeks training is very popular and is a great blend of athletic demand and mental exercise for all who participate. Capturing images of the Trapeze with a sense of excitement and safety required some athletics of my own. Like the athletes, I climbed to the 40 foot platform but felt a few more feet up the rigging would make a better picture. I also used my own height of 6 feet 2 inches and my arm reach to hold the D2X with a 10.5mm Fisheye Lens above the instructors and perspective flyer. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/500 at f6.3, WB Sunny, Nikon 10.5mm Fisheye Lens, Lexar 4G Flash Card, Trapeze Safety Harness. I did not look through the camera to compose this picture. I gained several feet of height and the view I wanted by holding the camera over my head while shooting. Some call this approach a "Hail Mary" but I prefer to think of it as an acquired skill that is achieved through years of practice in a variety of situations that called for shooting without looking through the camera.
Image#5 I arrived during "Pirate Week" at International Gymnastics Camp and when the camp dance began rocking on Thursday evening these teen buccaneers took over the dance floor.......AHRRRRRRRR Mate'ee! Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/4 sec at f8, WB 5600K, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, SB800 (power output -1.3) on the hot shoe, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I wanted to give a fun feeling to the crew of dancing swashbucklers and did so by using a slow shutter speed, rear curtain fill flash and quickly rotating the camera counter clockwise (about 90 degrees) as I took the shot. Also take note that I captured this picture by once again holding the camera in a position where I was not able to look through the view finder. This was my favorite image of the week as it explodes with color, personality and fun.
					Image#6 The end of the week and a beautiful sunset. The grounds of International Gymnastics Camp are truly beautiful. This life size statue of children doing gymnastics is in the middle of a flower garden dining area adjacent to the cafeteria. I wanted an image that would help end the camp experience for those who view the brochure. I silhouetted the statue against the evening sunset and then added a splash of light with a remote SB800 placed on the ground. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/250 at f5, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 10,000K, Two SB800 Speedlights (one as the Master and one remote on the ground (power output -1.7), Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image#7 International Sports Training Camp is a fantastic facility only minutes away from International Gymnastics Camp and is under the directorship of Bruno's daughter Kara and her husband Mark. Arial photography comes my way every so often and I was excited that arrangements had been made for a helicopter. Both camps were photographed from the air at a variety of altitudes and with a variety of lenses. The waterfront area of International Sports Training Camp is spectacular. Participants from both camps come to enjoy a time of fun and recreation between training sessions. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/1000 at f6.3, 70-200mm G VR Zoom Lens with VR (active mode), WB 5600K, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
					Image#8 Both camps have similar cross training recreation areas. The Climbing Wall and Zip Line are available for campers after training sessions are over for the day. Professional climbing instructors help students young and old achieve great heights and personal success at the climbing wall. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/250 at f4, Nikon 17-55mm Lens, WB 7000K, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image#9 Once campers have scaled the wall they earn the privilege of a fast ride on the Zip Line. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/40 sec at f5.6, Nikon 70-200mm G VR Lens (VR on Normal Mode), WB 7100K, Nikon SB800 Speedlight (power output +1) on the hot shoe and Zoomed to 105mm, Rear Curtain Sync, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
					Image#10 Sunset on Trout Lake at International Sports Training Camp. The camp boasts a fleet of Wave Runners that campers of all ages use from sunrise to sunset. I wanted to find an iconic image that would lead into the evening activities section of the brochure and felt the serenity of the lake with the silent Wave Runners was a nice transition. Nikon D2X, ISO100, 1/60 at f6.3, WB 10,000K, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, Lexar 4G Flash Card.
Image#11 When the sun sets and the day's activities are over the campers have some time to socialize at the camps central facility, the Boathouse. Nikon D2X, ISO200, 1/4 at f4, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 7000, SB800 Speedlight (power output +1) on the hot shoe, Rear Curtain Sync, Lexar 4G Flash Card. Young people are in constant motion. The use of a slow shutter speed and Rear Curtain Fill Flash creates a slight ghosting of these girls as they leave the Boathouse. I felt this effect would emphasis the fun and energy that young people at camp have.
					Image#12 S'mores for everyone! The day is almost over and the evening campfire at each cabin provides a great opportunity for the making of S'mores...a camp tradition. Nikon D2X, ISO500, 1/4 at f4, Nikon 12-24mm Lens, WB 7100K, Nikon SB800 (power output -1) on the hot shoe with the Warming Gel attached, Lexar 4G Flash Card. I set the exposure for the ambient camp fire light and let the SB800 help freeze any movement. The warming gel that comes standard with the SB800 helped balance the warm fire glow and helped capture a successful image to end a wonderful day at International Sports Training Camp.

  Well, I hope you all have enjoyed this edition of On The Road. During this week long assignment I also covered the sports aspect of these camps but chose to illustrate the recreational and social side to the summer camp experience in this article. This kind of work requires versatility and familiarity with many photographic techniques and a solid understanding of my equipment. Too often today's sports photographer can get wrapped up capturing only action images. It is my feeling that with a broader base of photographic knowledge I will be of value to a broader base of clients..........and that helps my clients.

Many thanks to Bruno, Cheryl, Brent, Kara and Mark for having me back. This is a wonderful family run business of which I feel very welcome and a privilege to be a part of.

Adios,.............Dave

 

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Rhythmic Gymnastics Nationals

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Women's Waterpolo

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USAFA Swimming

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