Need help shooting TEAM pictures in a gym

Hi, I use a 20D can anyone tell me the best way to set up my camera for

shooting individual team members. I usually shoot in manual with a flash. How

can I get my light to focus just on my player with out blowing out the whole

gym with my flash.

I know there must be some better techniques.

I would appreciate any advice:)

Linda

Lots of potential with small flashes...

check out Strobist: http://strobist.blogspot.com/

There's a ton of information in there! It mostly deals with off-camera flash, and there is good solid technique to share... As far as individual on-camera flash, I'd meter the subject, and dial down the flash to taste. Shutter speed controls ambient exposure, f-stop controls flash exposure... I'd try a little experimenting first, to get a balance that you like, and tweak it as you need to. If you can get the strobe off camera, it opens up lots of possibilities!

You might look at a flash diffuser to attach to the flash head. I just lost my Gary Fong "cloud sphere", but did nice job a few times I used it. Just attach it to the flash head, set manual setting in camera and shoot. Make exposure adjustments from there - either in camera or on the flash itself - to get the look you want. Oh, and write these settings down so you can use them next time!

One flash head is not likely to light the whole gym. The light from a flash only 'goes' a certain/limited distance. How close or far away are background elements? The farther away, the less they will be lit and show up in your capture. What element(s) of a background do you want? Using a long zoom from one end of gym,you can compress a close up player and distant backboard &/or school name and get into same shot. But, the player will be nicely lighted while not the B/G.

Steve