How can I take good high-speed photography, WITHOUT flash?

Question

My gymnastics gym just moved into a new facility, and it has been a GREAT inspiration for more photography! The only problem is that the lighting isn't the greatest.

The girls are generally doing extremely high speed moves, and in order to not get any blur, I need a fast shutter speed, and with the low light, I need a high ISO as well. BUT, flash photography is extremely dangerous around the gymnasts as it can startle them, and cause falls, and so it's strictly forbidden. That is a major bummer for me, and a huge hindrance on pictures.

Any tips on what camera settings to use in order to get at least decent, blur-free, low to no-grain photos?

I have a Canon 30D, with kit lens, and due to the setup, I can't use bounce cards or anything like that.

Thanks in advance, all!

Answer 1

You may find the best results will be achieved by using your camera set at its highest ISO and shoot using RAW .. this will assure you get everything the sensor "sees" so you will have a good start.

Then shoot using the aperture priority mode ... with your lens wide open, this will assure your shutter speed will be at the highest possible.

There has been a lot of new technology developed since your camera was made.  Right now ... the Nikon D3 is the leader when it comes to high ISO, low noise right now.  Photographers are routinely shooting at ISO 6400 with so little noise, the images can be printed as large as 20 x 24 inches.  It can shoot at ISO's as high as 25,000 ISO, not possible just a year ago.

I am not saying you need to change camera systems, but just letting you know that there is hope on the horizon.

Answer 2

A fast prime lens and high ISO.

You may suffer some noise or "grain" problems especially in the shadows but there are some very good post processing programs that can take care of a lot of that for you.

Once you get it down I think you will like the available light images over any on-camera flash image.

Answer 3

I would set the iso at 400

shutter priority speed 1/250

let the camera pick the aperture setting

for a staring point

hopefully you will have time to experiment before everything get into full swing(sorry couldn't resist the pun)