How to shoot dynamic wrestling photos (or how to shoot in a dark gym)

Last year I wrote a blog on how to shoot wrestling photos and deleted it because I didn't think anyone read it. Still not sure if anyone did, but I am writing a new article here if you are interested. If you have seen my wrestling photos, you will see that they have a certain style and feel that I hope makes them look more dynamic and less like snap shots.

The way I do that is by using the widest aperture (F stop) and fastest shutter speed for the amount of light in the gym and angles that make the wrestlers look huge.

Domenic Hyson

This photo of Domenic Hyson, and eight grade wrestler from Fairbury Nebraska is a good example. This photo was shot at F3.5 at a shutter speed of 400th of a second with a 50 mm lens. Any faster shutter and the picture would have been too dark and if I would have lowered the F stop to 2.8 I would run the risk of losing focus with such a shallow depth of field.

If you can nail the shot at F2.8 your results will be amazing as the background will blur and your subject will become more important.

Jacob Johnson

This is an example of a shot of wrestler Jacob Johnson shot at F2.8 in a much better lit auditorium in Kearney Ne. You can see how the crowd in the background are much less in focus. This effect is multiplied when your subject is close. 

What really makes a good wrestling photo pop is the angle at which it was shot. My angle of choice is as low as I can get which is usually placing the camera on the mat and shooting blind. 

Seth Firmanik

By blind I mean I aim the lens at the subject, wait for the best action and shoot without looking through the view finder. This takes practice, but with time I was able to get pretty consistent usable shots from a very low angle. 

So the key to getting dynamic shots in my opinion is angle, a wide aperture and the fastest shutter speed you can get with the light conditions you have. Most gyms have poor lighting for photography and using a flash is not acceptable. 

Here are a few more examples to show you from last year.

Of course it is always important to time your shots so you are getting the best action, and not everyone can shoot from the mat. I do because I'm shooting for a lot of families and I want the best shots I can get. If you are shooting from the bleachers your telephoto lens will limit your light input  and may cause your pictures to be darker than you like. 

The only solution to this problem is purchasing a lens that will shoot down to F2.5 and those lenses can be expensive. 

How to shoot football under the lights

I didn't think anyone actually read any of my photography advice blogs until last night at the Milford game when a photographer from Milford came up to me and asked me if I was Trimmphoto. I was surprised she figured out who I was since she wasn't local and I don't put my photo on my page but she said she had read my blogs on how to take sports pictures so I know at least one person read one of my articles.

So, here is a new one. How to shoot football under the lights. 

Shooting football under the lights is difficult because you have limited light available from the sideline light stands. Some of the best pictures you can get come when the sun is just setting and the field lights are on giving you a great set up that lasts about 20 minutes---if you are lucky.

F4/shutter speed 500

When you have this combination of lights, you can generally shoot around F4 at 500-1000 shutter speed and get a good shot. The F4 will give you a decent depth of field that will keep your image in focus better than at F2.8 which I usually shoot to give me a narrower depth of field. 

The F4 is more forgiving if you get your focus point off a bit but if you nail the focus at F2.8 the picture is far more dramatic because the background will blur out. 

F2.8/Shutter speed 1000

This effect works best when your subject is close but at F2.8 I have had distant pictures shot from across the field that had decent background blur. The problem with shooting F2.8 is if you don't have your focus perfect on your subject, it will blur because the depth of field is soooo narrow. 

So what do you do when the sun goes down and all you have is the field lights? Well I found out that shooting at a wider aperture helps and a bit slower shutter speed. The wider aperture (F4) and shutter speed of around 400 will get more light into the camera and increase your depth of field so more of the image is in focus. 

F4/ Shutter speed 400

The depth of field in this shot is wider but the background still has sufficient blur to separate the subject from the background. One thing you will notice about shooting under the lights is how stark your pictures will look. The lights tend to make everything look a bit harsh when it comes to coverage and shooting from the end zone can look very stark. 

F2.8/Shutter speed 500

Since there is no light coming from behind you when you shoot from the end zone, you get this dark area in the middle of your subject. The light comes from the right and the left and makes for a very dramatic shot. 

My best advice would be to shoot at around F4 at a shutter speed of around 300-500 and keep your subject centered so it is in sharp focus. I find my Canon has some difficulties in low light keeping focus so I tend to shoot a lot to cover myself. If I can get 30 good shots out of 300 photos taken I feel that's a good percentage. 

F2.8/Shutter speed 1000

Shooting at the beginning of the season offers more options because you have more "day" light to work with but by the end of the season you are relying on the lights above you and that can be a disadvantage. 

KT

“What sets the Fairbury Jeffs football program apart from the other teams they play?”

“What sets the Fairbury Jeffs football program apart from the other teams they play?” was the question I posed to several coaches and families associated with the program and I want to share with you their replies. I was going to write an article on a photographer’s perspective but I think I will keep that part short since I got so many good responses.

Jacob Johnson (Ashland-Greenwood Bluejay Football)

I will say that from my perspective shooting on the field, I have noticed the Jeffs are very focused on what they are doing. The coaches have a firm grasp on what is going on and the players pay attention. There is very little downtime and the team is just that, a team.

 We do have a few standouts this year and I will say that Adam Wasserman is always entertaining to shoot from the sidelines. I never can tell what he will do next and he keeps me on my toes when I have the telephoto focused on him.

And then he hands the ball off to Jacob Johnson and I have to keep up as he motors down the sidelines in a blur. Or Adam throws to Cayman DeBoer and I have to get that shot in focus as Cayman catches the ball and runs in for a touchdown. 

I have a blast shooting these guys.

Zack Reikofski (Auburn)

And let’s not forget the line. The monsters Zack Reikofski, Johnathan Kerwood and Trent Grizzle make the ground shake when they are defending the line. I know it’s hard not to leave anyone out when writing about a team, and maybe I shouldn’t single anyone out, so I do apologize if I missed anyone you thought should be mentioned. If you would like to add to this story, please send me a reply and I will add it. 

I do want to say though that I have seen these guys chase down the quarterback with some insane intensity. I wouldn't want to be on their bad side. 

Kameron Anthony head coach 

I would like to start with my first reply from the question I posed. This is from head coach Kameron Anthony. 

I believe we have a couple things that help set us apart. First we do have quite a bit of talent on both sides of the ball, we have smart players who understand football and it's hard to game plan against us when we have multiple people who can score. Also, we do not have selfish players. We preach for them to just do their job and they do it. All of them understand that they can't always have the ball in their hands and that's ok with them. The big guys up front know they are just as important to our success even though they are not the ones always scoring the touchdowns.

When the team is having success, everyone is having success. I believe we also have a very good group of senior leadership and overall leadership. I believe it's been the best since I came to Fairbury. Lastly, I believe we have a group of 38 gentlemen who want to play football and be a part of this team. Everyone is vitally important to this team and all of them understand their role. Whether it is the starters or someone who only runs scout team, they take their role and give it their best. This is what makes our team truly special.

Next assistant coach Derek Garfield

Derek Garfield Offensive Line Coach

"I think what sets us apart from other teams is 2 big components. This group has been through the building process together. They have seen the lowest of lows and the highest of highs on the football field together. Struggling to win games early in their career helped build a work ethic and a determination to be great!

They bought into everything that our coaches did and have put in the work to be great! Secondly I think having our coaching staff stay together throughout this group of players playing career has been great. They've ran the same offense, defense, and special teams throughout their entire playing careers. 

With work ethic and stability great things are happening. I've said it before but something special is brewing in Fairbury, Nebraska and I'm honored to be a part of it."

Former Jeffs athletic director PJ Smith replied

The Jeffs have a solid group of upperclassmen that have been together for years. When they were young I would see them at games cheering on the guys I was coaching. They often talked about how they wanted to win a state championship at a young age. These boys also have always had their head on straight which is very important.

They are dedicated to each other and to their coaches. The coaches are tremendous guys that are in it for the kids. They relate to the kids well and are like a big family. Finally the community loves a winner and they do a great job of following the teams. They are so supportive.

Denise Wasserman 

Adam Wasserman-Zach Holes

You know that's kind of a tough question as I haven't seen any other teams prep for a game or stand on their sidelines during a game. What I see from Fairbury's program is unity. These Senior boys have been playing ball together since 3rd grade. They know what each other can do. It's like they can look at each other and know exactly what they are thinking. That brings on leadership to underclassmen. 

It brings them together which in turn just keeps going to the younger guys that play youth tackle and flag football. Those young ones want to be like those big guys. After all that said, there are the coaches. In a sense, the coaches have half the battle of having a team because of the unity, but the other half could be difficult. They have to get these guys to believe that when they call a play, it will work. 

Young guys can be pretty stubborn, so to have them believe in the coaches, makes the game better yet. Hats off to the coaches for enthusiasm on the sidelines and keeping these guys positive and for showing excellent sportsmanship. Very proud to be a parent of these awesome guys.

Matt Edson Offensive Coordinator/QB coach

Matt Edson

The hard work and dedication the players have put into the sport as well as the commitment to never give up on any situation. We have scored 50 touchdowns the most in the nation, we have scored 338 points which leads all of Nebraska in 11 man.  That is 56 points a game, which would be a Nebraska C1 record if maintained throughout the season.

 The record was set in 1977.  It would also be a 11 man record that was set in 1950. We have also broke the school record for most points scored in a season as well as touchdowns in a season. 10 different guys have scored this season.Third all time in total offense with 3030 yards. Which is 505 yards per game. That would also be a C1 record if maintain throughout the year.

Third all time in total offense with 3030 that is a Fairbury record. Also all Fairbury records date back to 1999.


Cheryl Trimm Booster club president 

Having watched this team for the last several years from the perspective of a mom and from the perspective of Booster club president, what stands out to me is the sense of family and community.  These boys support each other, encourage each other, celebrate with each other and rally around each other when things don’t go the way they want.  

 They take the good and the bad with each other.  I’m impressed also with the solid leadership of the senior boys.  They model hard work, dedication and sportsmanship with the under

classmen and the younger kids every time they take the field as well as off the field.  Our coaching staff are fantastic!  Each one has demonstrated their dedication to these boys over and over again.  I can’t say enough about the dedication of the football parents, either! 

 Putting up signs early every Friday morning, serving team meals, washing those white pants……We’re a village supporting these boys and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of Jeff Nation!! 



Sandra Reikofski


Unity, selflessness, lack of ego, talent and parent support. Coolest parents alive!! Also the seniors have played backyard ball in the Wasserman’s lot since they could walk! They have grown up running all day long throwing balls! They may be in different friend groups but just gel so well as a group as a team! Dedicated coaches is why the program is so successful this year!

Lori DeBoer

Cayman DeBoer (Auburn)

I think it starts with our coaches believing that we have something special & the kids all buying in to it.  They work hard in the off season & even harder during the season. 

We have great leadership, great coaching, great sportsmanship & great kids.  It's a win-win combination.

Gina Grizzle

Trent Grizzle (Ashland-Greenwood)

Simple explanation:  We are a complete team! Our coaches are some of the most positive coaches I have ever met!  They care about these kids as individuals and not just as athletes.

They are laying the foundation for them to be successful in all of their future endeavors!

Tina DeBoer

Dawson DeBoer (Lincoln Christian)

A Senior class that is a step above other teams. Leadership. Unity. Commitment. Family. Faith. Strength. Loyalty.

I remember when these Senior boys started playing youth tackle football in the 3rd grade. There was something about this group that coaches loved. Each year as they progressed so did their bond of friendship and love of the game.

 Now as Seniors I see a football team with a lot of leadership. Helping each other and all the underclassmen to get better each week. They are pushing themselves harder than ever before to reach the goals they have had since youth tackle football.  This team thinks very highly of their coaches. Bonds are being made with their coaches that will last a lifetime. All in all we are one big family!!

Nancy Terrill-Amundson

Chance Admundson (Lincoln Christian)

They practice hard everyday, they stay humble and they play one game at a time. As coach Lenhart tells them before they go on the field, they play hard from the first whistle until the last whistle blows.

Derek Anderson Athletic Director Fairbury Jeffs

I would say the versatility of their backs and receivers.  All of them do a great job with many facets of the game.

Jeffrey Johnson

I would like to say it is their incredible team speed, but that may not be true. The boys do hustle down the field but there are no sprinting champions on this team. I would like to say it is the years and wisdom of our grey haired coaches, but the average age of our staff is probably still in the 20’s. Maybe with this youth comes incredible  enthusiasm, motivation and very a competitive mind set. This has been feeding these boys a high percentage of their  formative years.  I would like to say It is their success in Fairbury Youth Tackle Football, but  we all know that a great 5th grade team doesn’t always translate into a great high school team.

 Although, knowing you can win and feeling some success does give a team an edge when it comes to a difficult opponent. I would like to say it is the "Cool" helmets and their strikingly good looks. But Oregon football has zero titles so you can’t say that. I would like to say As a parent, genetics has a role in our kids success, but anyone who looks into the stands knows the parents are not professional athletes. You might see determined parents who work hard and that work ethic  translated to the boys in their off the field training and summer activities preparing for the season. I would like to say it is high academic achievement and the raw toughness of these boys, this might have some truth, but there are others that share these traits

Here is the reason, I figured it out.

Get  ready to write this down,….. “I don’t know”. We can theorize the answer but on this side of heaven, there are some answers we just do not know. Lots of folks attribute their success to being blessed  but I would not want to say a team with less wins is less blessed.  Being blessed goes far beyond wins and financial comfort.

Ok, here is my best guess, these boys are very giving. Bottom line.  I can cite many examples but will only name a few.  Each Saturday these boys give back to the youth by  helping with flag football. They have been open to each and every young one who wants to give them a high five or just want to talk to a varsity football player. These boys give themselves to team in their efforts to prepare for this season. Weights, 7 on 7, and camps are all examples of the investments these boys made into being a great team. 

I feel what sets this football team apart is their willingness to give of themselves to the team.  I pray this is true because there are other teams that are faster, bigger, have more experienced coaches,  cooler uniforms and  larger school budgets and facilities but the foundation of any sport is to learn to give of yourself, 100% to a group effort . This is what sets this team apart, this is what will carry these boys not only through the season but  throughout their lives. Unselfish giving.

Cody Moyer

What sets Fairbury Jeff football apart from others is the work ethic and determination by not only the coaches but the players to do whatever it takes to be successful as possible

Annetta Baxa

   I would say  "commitment"is one of the biggest things that makes the Fairbury JEFF football program standout. Commitment  to each other , their coaches ,

the commitment their coaches have to them and the commitment to themselves to improve as  individuals,on and off of the ball field. A lot of them have played together since the 3rd grade and through the years have learned to be a team that wants to do and be the best.

They have a coaching team that truly cares for them and wants them to succeed in the game of football and also life. Many things make this program stand out but the love for their coaches ,team, fans, and the game itself has made this a year to remember.  Thank you Fairbury Jeff's Football! Truly a bunch of wonderful young men!

The most important shots

The best shots are off the field, at least I think so. A good action shot is like winning the lottery. You have a 10% chance of getting it and if you do it gets the "Wow" factor. But to me, it's the looks on the players faces that tell a story. The look of concern, the look of excitement, and the happy or sad faces of winning or defeat. 

I spend quite a bit of time on the sidelines looking for those pictures that tell a story and those are the ones that probably end up being downloaded, printed and put in scrap books. I'm sure a good tackle or a dive into the endzone make it there too, but not as often. 

I know I'm not the only one who got this shot, but I'm glad I did. It was a good set up that happened by accident. I love the player in the back with his arm raised as to say, "We won!" And they did.

I chose to shoot this shot because of the sky in the background. I have an art background and when the sun is just going down and the field lights are on it can make for some dramatic shots.

I could go into depth of field, F-stops and all sorts of other topics, but I don't think most people care about that stuff. Most great shots are by accident with a lot of pre-planning in hopes something cool happens.

Attitude is the difference

Another in a series of "How to take good sports (or any other kind) of photographs.

Again, I won't go into shutter speeds, F-stops and any other settings, this post is about attitude. Your pictures will reflect your attitude and motivation to get good shots. If you want to get interesting actions shots, you need to be ready for those shots and get in the mind set of where you need to be and how you want the shot to look.

This will also determine the type of lens you want to use and the angles you want to shoot. I prefer close shots, the closer the better. That is a matter of taste and maybe you prefer a group shot instead. No matter what you are going for, you have to plan ahead and be ready to capture what you have in mind.

I see lots of photos shot at sporting events that look like snapshots. Snapshots in that they look unplanned, and "as is." If that is what you are looking for then great. I think like most things, you need to have a bit of forethought going into what you are doing.

Here is a good example of a shot that took some planning to get. The focus had to be set to the left to keep the pitcher in focus while getting the ball to appear on the right side of the batter. It took several shots to get the one I was looking for but the results were worth it. 

If you are wondering, I shot that at F-2.8 at around 1500/sec shutter speed with a 200mm telephoto through the chain link fence. 

Another example of a simple but effective shot. The focus was set to the left so I'd have plenty of "out of focus" room to the right. The picture was composed so she would have room to swing the bat. 

I think good photographs need planning and the right attitude to get the shots you want. Even if you don't know how to set your camera, you can still approach your photography with the attitude that you will get the best shots you can no matter what. If you do, you might be surprised what you can do. 

KT 

How to take great pictures

Last year I wrote a series of blog posts on how to take excellent sports photographs and published them on my Trimmphoto page. I don't know if anyone read any of them or took any of my advice to heart so I decided to follow up with this...

In those articles I went over F stops, shutter speeds, lighting, angles and all sorts of stuff that I felt was needed to get shots that really stand out. Most of that may have been over peoples heads so I decided to write a different blog that isn't about any of that stuff.

Here is another way to take excellent sports (or any other kind) of photographs...

1. Pay attention to what's going on. This is mainly about sports, but if you have your nose buried in your phone you will miss the good shots. Should be no brainer advice but I've seen many paid professional photographers staring at their phones while the great shots go by the wayside. 
2. Get close... The closer the better. 
3. Find your subject. Pictures without a defined clear subject are dull to look at. 
4. Crop (and or) compose your picture. Photographs that are not well balanced are hard to look at. 
5. Color correct your pictures. Pictures straight off your camera will look washed out. Trust me on this. (and please do not dump 50 unedited photos on Facebook. Nobody is going to get past #3.

If you set your camera to the "action" tab or "portrait" tab you may get some good shots. If you follow the previous advice, you may get a lot more awesome shots. 

It's about attitude as well as being proficient in how you set the camera. 

Trimmphoto

If anyone is wondering why I shoot photos of student activities (and other Fairbury related content) I would like to explain where Trimmphoto started and why.

Simply, it started because my wife Cheryl was elected president of the Booster club and they needed someone to shoot button pictures and I was the only person with experience with a camera. And by experience I want to give a brief background of me and the camera.

I had my first working dark room at the age of 16, and by dark room I mean old school chemicals, enlargers and the red light you see in old movies. My father was a professional photographer when I was about 5 and he had all this gear stored away that I brushed off and figured out how to use.

This was around 1982.

Back in those days you had to develop your negatives before you could make prints with this huge enlarger and dunk them in smelly chemicals. I again had a working dark room in 1997 before digital came around.

I have been shooting with a camera since Jr. high and was on the Blazer and Fairbury yearbook as a photographer, I was on the SCC paper as a photographer, and worked for the Fairbury Journal News for a summer before going off to UNK to be a graphic design major.

In other words, I know a lot about cameras.

So my wife recruited me to shoot button pictures and one day I decided I would try shooting football again. The last time I had shot a game would have been in 1983 and 1984 when I graduated from Fairbury.

It was pretty cool getting back on the field, and luckily nobody told me to get lost so I shot and shot and shot. And now I am in my second year of shooting and started a Facebook page to feature those pictures. I hope you have seen and liked the page.

I would like to thank the school and the coaches for giving me the same access as the local paid media and hope I am doing the athletes justice with my work.