ARTISTIC GYMNASTIC PHOTOGRAPHY

A while back I noted a similarity between the beauty and movement of the ballet and the beautiful form and grace in womens' gymnastics. I started photographing gymnasts at various local meets, and obtained some excellent photographs. But I also soon decided that I wanted more control of the photographic environment, in order to create the images I saw in my mind. As a result I started talking to the various private club gymnastic teams and coaches, and soon was able to work with some of the best amateur gymnasts in the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area, where I live and teach photography. As I result I have photographed a number of individual gymnasts in my studio, where I can completely control the lighting and the background. This has resulted in what I feel are some very exciting and beautiful photographs; you can judge for yourself below.

It has been a couple of years since I have last worked with individual gymnasts, but I am presently looking for several exceptional gymnasts with a view towards developing an exhibit of artistic gymnastic photography. It was interesting to discover that the individual photogenic look of a gymnast is as important as the actual gymnastic ability of the athlete with regards to the final image. It is also interesting to me that most of the very good gymnasts also have the "look" of a gymnast. But. don't ask me what that look is... I just know it when I see it!

Most of the images shown below are in color, but in many cases I also have photographed them in B&W. When I first started worked in the studio I often would shoot in both B&W (medium format) and color, requiring two completely independent photographic systems. Initially the color work was with color slides, but later on when the color negative films became of higher quality, I then shot my color with color negative film. Now when I shoot with digital capture, the images are all originally in color but each one can be effectively converted to B&W in the computer. When I print up the final exhibit photographs I expect that they will include some images in B&W and some in color. I depend on the image itself to "tell me" which medium would work the best for any specific image.

Also in this section, following the studio photographs, are a number of action photographs of gymnasts taken mostly during gymnastic meets, but a few during special photographic shoots in the gymnasium with a portable studio flash system.

To make it easy to come back to these gymnastic photographs, please bookmark this site now.

NEW! I have just added a section of action photographs taken during the 2008 Capital Cup meet, on March 15th. Prints of these photographs are available to be ordered directly from me. Please use the small photo ID # shown at the bottom of each enlarged image (note: click on a thumbnail to see the enlarged image). Print p rices are: 4x6=$6.00, 5x7=$10.00, 8x10=$16.00, and 11x14=$25.00 plus $5.00 per order for shipping to your home or optional delivery to the gym. Checks, cash or MO only. Prints will be available 4-6 weeks after payment is received. For questions or specific requests please call me directly at 301-949-0473.

I have so far posted many photographs of the MarVaTeens (167 photos) and Team Spirit (from Holland; 92 photos); additional photos of the Docksiders and a number of other teams will be added soon. Thanks for your patience. Now, scroll down to the very bottom of this page to see the link for viewing these photographs.

Gymnast/Beth

Gymnast/Susie (Litho high contrast image)

Gymnast/Leah, pose #1

Gymnast/Leah, pose #2

Gymnast/Anna, pose #1

Gymnast/Anna, pose #2

Gymnast/Courtney

Gymnast/Robyn

Now, below are four action photographs that I took at area gymnastic meets. These beautiful and athletic young women have a wonderful dynamic look that defies gravity.

Action Photo #1

Action Photo #2

Action Photo #3

Action Photo #4

Finally, a photograph of Dominique Dawes that I took outside on a beam in front of her gym. You will recall that she is an Olympic Gold medal winner in gymnastics in 1996. I have a number of photographs of her from the many years she competed in local gymnastic meets, some of them of her as young as 11 years old.

Dominique Dawes, taken in 1995

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I hope that you have enjoyed my artistic gymnastic photographs. I also want to give credit to the many excellent gymnasts and their parents who have allowed me to photograph them, and to the private clubs where they learn their techniques and practice, including but not limited to: the MarVaTeens, the Rebounders, and Harford Gymnastics.

>Thank you for visiting my web site, and I hope you continue on to the 2008 Capital Cup Gymnastic Meet Section which is next. Initially, I only have photos of the MarVaTeens gymnasts (167 photos) and the Spirit Gymnasts from Holland (92 photos), but will be adding photos from a number of additional teams in the near future. Just click on the appropriate links below to take you there.

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...Next Section - MarVaTeens at the 2008 Capital Cup

...Spirit Gymnastics at the 2008 Capital Cup

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For additional photographs from Don Becker visit his other two web sites on many areas of photography at DonBeckerPhoto.com. For some of my dance and ballet photography visit ballet-photography.com.

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All photographs Copyright © 2008 Donald Becker
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