How to shoot Artistic skating?

Hello:

I would like to know if somebody can help me with this sport.

Wich are the necesary equipment?

Wich are the shooting speeds necesary?

I have low light situation and I can?t use flash.

Thanks at all.

Regards.

Gaby

If you intend to stop the action in low light without flash, then you'll most likely need to use fast lens. How much light is available in the arena you'll be shooting in, how close you'll be shooting from, only you can tell, but those factors will dictate the lens you need. To stop motion, a shutter speed of around 1/500 sec. is a good starting point. Start out with ISO at 800 or 1600 and see if you can get 1/500 sec. without under exposing. Most likely you'll need at least an 85mm f1.8 at widest aperture, or rent a 200mm f2 which will give you better reach.

Alternatively, you can also use your existing lens and set slow shutter speed to capture motion blurs which, although will be lots of trial and error, will yield some interesting, artistic results that lean more toward abstract.

I shoot in arenas every week... my basic setup is:

70-200mm 2.8, 1600ISO at 1/320 or faster (bare minimum to stop the motion)

If the show has extra lighting and/or a follow spot you may be able to shoot at a faster spped and/or lower ISO