That moonsault was phenomenal! Kane Wharton: It started with concert photography when I was a teenager. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Sadly, theres no second chances for those to happen. Dragon Lee, Bandido, Rush and Jeff Cobb. What was the first wrestling event you attended and took photos at?
And Ive been hooked ever since.
Even with my limited knowledge of wrestling, I knew The Undertaker, and he looked cool, so that furthered my interest. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. What an amazing evening I had.
NY 10036. So I survived my first wrestling match.
Since the light in the gymnasium was pretty event all around, I switched to manual mode and shot at 1/50 of a second at f/5.6 for the rest of the day.
Id seen them working so many of the Philly and New Jersey shows.
Levi Ventura is a 22 year old college student majoring in graphic design.
The whole event was fascinating, and I would accept a job doing this again without hesitation. The WWE always has someone Im keeping an eye on. Alistair Campbell
I was used to baseball, basketball and soccer photo sessions, where the action is somewhat predictable.
I headed to a local professional wrestling event, run by CSF Wrestling, armed with my older Canon EOS 5D MarK III (opens in new tab) and Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 lens to get back to basics by shooting with simple settings in a fast-paced environment. I personally do not like to ever go above 400, but I felt it was better to err on the side of some extra noise in the image (which can be reduced later by software), rather than have card after card of blurry images. Along with a clear passion for sports photography and video, Levi has alsobeen focusing on working with small businesses and brands to help provide quality content for their social media sites. 
Penta still manages to make great expressions despite covering most of his face with a mask. Right? Over the next few years, I was watching everything I could find.
The first two photographers that made me aware that ringside photography was even a thing were Lyle Williams and Zia Hiltey. I also have a Twitter account: @Kane_B13..
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Same name, same spelling as mine.
It was strong style wrestling turned up to 11.
(opens in new tab)Best Canon wide-angle zoom lenses Every company wants to run their show at the 2300 Arena (the former ECW Arena).
Those guys went to war and just hit each other with finisher after finisher, but kept kicking out. I was using all new equipment. Youre going to need them for the R10 and R7, The best cameras for photography in 2022: we guide you through the choices, Inspirational images plus all the latest kit. Also setting your camera to a continuous shooting mode is very helpful. Kane Wharton: I didnt watch wrestling as a child. I get a lot of guest suggestions, and while I reach out to most of them, many never answer back. Ive been watching the Briscoe Brothers since they were in high school. Is there an event or match you wish you could have taken photographs at/of?
Everyone in that room knew we were seeing something really special.. Penta Zero M, Rey Fenix and of course, the Young Bucks..
Kane Wharton: I know I sound repetitive, but it has to be PWG Battle of Los Angeles.
And since its sports filled with lots of movement and action, a slow shutter speed causes the images to be blurry.
And when youre watching a great match, it all goes by so fast. As long as Im focused on those areas, I will certainly get some good shots. Its my favorite tournament every year. If youre lucky enough to find yourself at ringside, always be aware of your surroundings there is a real chance if you lean into the ring at the wrong time that you or your camera could be hit by a flying elbow or wrestling boot! Where did your interest and talent for photography begin? Join photographer Levi Ventura and me as we explore his composite image of Gable Stevesondoing his famous backflip, after winning his final match at his last NCAA wrestlingtournament, on this Behind the Shot. Copyright 2019 The League Theme.
It can lead to some interesting shots (like the one below), but isnt a reliable technique to count on. One of the great things The Wrestling Estate has allowed me to do is to connect with all sorts of wrestling industry professionals.That is why on a sporadic basis throughout 2020, I will be bringing several exclusive interviews from industry insiders, helping fans learn more about their work and impact on the business.My third interview is one Ive really been excited about sharing.
When he gets the time to have a proper match, hes one of the best out there today.
There was a problem. I would recommend against using a flash, especially if you are on the sidelines. Instagram:@leviventura.photo I figured to give it a go and hopefully get some print sales out of it from the parents. I was going to try to get up the nerve to go speak with him, but once I saw the veins bulging out of his neck as he cheered on his wrestlers, I thought to myself that this was probably not the time to reminisce about highschool days gone by. One day, I was in a toy store and noticed an action figure of Kane.
Where Should We Take Our Family Photos? Its usually happening in darker environments to create an atmosphere, you often have a lot of obstacles to shoot around such as the ropes, corner posts and the referee and the frays can unexpectedly spill out into the audience. A few days ago Jeremy Lanthorn (@Snackem on Twitter) sent me a guest suggestion: @stevebrazill check out @LeviVentura_ and this shot of @GableSteveson at the NCAA wrestling tournament.
So what is a desired shutter speed, and how do you achieve it? Just love their stuff.
Having to shoot at f/5.6 is ok, but shooting at f/2.8 is much better (especially for making the athletes pop out from the background crowd). If I had a chance to do something different, I would have had a faster lens.
That also made me want to get better.
Marty is so entertaining.
It was a strong season for the Faith Christian wrestling team and that is Second place still does not sit well with Eric Alderfer. published 23 December 21, Take your sports shooting back to basics and master the art of ringside wrestling photography. Im still not satisfied Rocco Fantazzi made a two-fold promise to himself when he began his career as All you need to know about Delaware County Daily Times Wrestler of the Year Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy I had a sort of press pass for this event, so I was able to sit on the floor at the edge of the wrestling mats to get my shots. Over the years, I was a big fan of Triple H, Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kevin Owens and Aleister Black.
When youre shooting any sports photography, the fundamentals tend to be quite similar.
The shutter speeds I ended up at was not ideal. The crowd is great, too.
The Camera Diopter: What Is It, and How Can You Use It? Shooting a sport youre completely unfamiliar with is hard, so I wanted to know something about it.
The drama on their faces when a move works, or when their opponent keeps kicking out. YouTube:@LeviVentura And I would love another chance to shoot Shingo Takagi in action!.
Using fast shutter speeds, helpful focusing techniques such as continuous or facial recognition, and other tools such as high speed burst modes will enable you to shoot enough frames to capture the winning moment. I want the drama and the expressions as much as I want the moves. The main key in shooting sports of any kind is speed. By And it was fun, challenging, and a bit scary Heres to being brave enough to try something new. The following case study on photographing a wrestling tournament was submitted by DPS reader Ron Richardson. You all know how much I love to photograph sports, but as you all also know, wrestling is an indoor sport. It was my highschool that Lovejoy was competing against, and guess whatthe coach is the same coach they had way back when I was attending highschool. Please refresh the page and try again. Youre missing so much without even realizing it. Do you have any more? Kane Wharton: I have gotten some really nice feedback from wrestlers.
How About Parker Rose Garden? His client list already includes names like Asics and USA Wrestling, and its his NCAA wresting work that really jumps out yes, a jump joke for todays image. The lights in the gym were bright, and wasnt really that bad. Canon to Announce Entry-Level EOS R100 Later This Year. Do you have a favorite match and did you have a favorite match growing up? By this point, you may be asking yourself why I didnt use a flash. Coming to the ring with confidence and swagger. How About Connemara Meadow Nature Preserve. Everything that is shot in a gym always looks yellow and orange to me.
Once I had my camera set at f/5.6 and an ISO of 1600, I set it on to AI SERVO focusing. (opens in new tab)Best Nikon wide-angle zoom lenses (opens in new tab), Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access, Enjoy your first month for just 1 / $1 / 1, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. His technical precision blows me away and he has such great expressions. Presenting 2022 All-Main Line boys lacrosse teams, GNALBL: Vince Fattore sparks Whitemarsh offense in win over Mount Carmel, Mercury All-Area: Dean Mihos mature approach, game-changing skills ignite Owen J. Roberts in PAC & District 1 title season, GNALBL: JP Mascaro advances to winners bracket final with win over Whitemarsh, Mercury All-Area: Jules Scogna pitches Spring-Ford to PIAA championship and dream ending, Mercury All-Area: Perkiomen Valleys Ronde Washington transformed himself from unnoticed to undeniable shot put star, Mercury All-Area: 2022 Boys Track and Field Teams, Perkasie native Phil Picciotti commits to Oklahoma, Diamond gems: Presenting the 2022 All-Main Line softball teams, Mercury All-Area: Nene Mokonchus higher calling takes hold on the way to PIAA gold in the high jump, 2021-2022 The Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Wrestling All-Area Teams, Faith Christians Eric Alderfer is 2021-2022 Reporter/Times Herald/Montgomery Media Wrestling Athlete of Year, Rocco Fantazzi steps down as Garnet Valley wrestling coach, All-Delco Wrestling: Wrestler of the Year: One bout short of state gold, DAgostino cherishes awesome experience, PIAA Wrestling: Barlow, McFarland each leave with a winning feeling, PIAA Class 6A boys basketball: Overtime loss to Scranton should be harbinger of success for Garnet Valley. Im not satisfied until you are (or your money back).
In soccer and basketball, I know where the person with the ball is headed always towards the hoop at the end of the court, or the goal at the end of the field. And AEW has a lot of my favorites right now. Check out this retro camera flash! You have to slow your shutter speed down to allow more light to come in, but the light coming in is terrible. Ranging from high school sports to the NCAA, this young creative has been creating such fantastic work in a very short period of time. NXTs roster is loaded with so many former PWG and ROH wrestlers and they really get to shine during their big events.. Here, he shares his fan history, his favorite matches and most importantly, what makes a great photo! Jon Washer. You can get around with a slower shutter speed, but you will have to pan with your subject. Indy wrestlers are their own cottage industry. Id never seen anything like it and its still my favorite feud. is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School and SnapnDeals. At 50mm, you want to be at 1/60 of a second. ROH, Impact, MLW, CZW, Evolve, Progress, House of Hardcore, etc.
Theres a whole range of them so theres one for every budget.. Something that you know nothing about, except for the fact that it will be a difficult photo session. Photographing Wildlife with the Canon EOS R6, Printers, Paper & the Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000. It provides a really nice background to the action in the ring. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress. Then Esther Lins work for PWG was a big inspiration. We just had an argument about monopods: so whos right?
That way you can get out of the way if they are coming near the edge of the mat. Reserved / Disclaimer, Your email is safe with us. Everyones got those matches that they were so invested in. Not all cameras have this setting, but if it does, it is a necessity for any sports photography. Its best to frame up wider than you think to avoid wrestlers going out of frame, particularly when they take to the sky.
I dont like, especially with sports.
BOLA weekend 2018 was one of my favorite experiences. My favorites to photograph are the ones with the most expressive faces, who arent always trying to look stoic: Trevor Lee, Darby Allin, Su Yung, Rosemary and Kenny Omega.
Vimeo:@LeviVentura, Tony Rotundo: @tonyrotundo.waw on Instagram, Copyright 2022 Steve Brazill, All Rights Reserved. If you keep both eyes open, you can still see through the viewfinder when you are zoomed in close, but with your other eye you can see just how far away the athletes really are. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Kane Wharton: Masato Tanaka and Mike Awesome had the best feud in ECW! If I liked the band that was playing, Id borrow one of my mothers cameras and try to get up close. Adobe Photoshop Express: what is it and how to use it, 5 biggest mistakes you can make when entering a photo competition, Art doesnt have to be political, but some of the worlds greatest works are, Achieving success in photography competitions don't overthink it. The Main Line high school boys lacrosse scene this past spring featured a number WHITEMARSH >> Vince Fattore doesnt take much time away from baseball. Im excited for my next new adventure in photography.
These situations keep me on my toes, and they inspire me to continue to learn all I can about my craft. A jaw-dropping move might last two seconds and then its onto the next one. Wrestling is a slightly different beast to other sports.
DSLR vs mirrorless cameras in 2022: which type of camera is best, and why?
For the techies out there, what camera(s) do you use in case anyone wants to take up photography themselves? See his Flickr account here. The only thing I could predict is where they would start at the beginning of the match. Theyve all been there. Everything that we love in wrestling. Between the two of us, we were able to get some great shots of these young men and women doing their thing.
by Paula | Apr 15, 2021 | Sports Photography. Last but not least, Jeremy Belinfante, whose Instagram is a mix of Japanese wrestling and rock bands playing small venues in Australia. Class of 2023, Its Your Turn!
However, technology has become so far advanced that having these guarantees in place almost takes the fun out of it, and reduces the feeling of a proud moment when you've nailed a killer shot in one try. You cant just make an image black and white and expect it to work, Stonehenge: the neolithic site captured in a new light using drone technology. Eddie Guerrero vs. Brock Lesnar at No Way Out 2004.
It would really be a dream come true to shoot any of the NXT Takeover events. Theyre selling their own merch during intermission, so clearly, they arent hiring photographers to follow them around! That was February of 1999, just before WrestleMania 15. Those settings still werent completely effective as you can see below: However, it was still quick enough to freeze most of the action, except during the quickest of action. What has been your favorite event to take photographs at? Digital Camera World is supported by its audience. We won't share it with anyone, iPhone HDR Photography: The Ultimate Guide, Landscape Photography: 13 Surefire Tips (+ Stunning Examples), 5 Couples Photography Tips for Wonderful Images, Weekly dPS Photography Challenge "No Words". I contacted my brother in law (a former wrestler), and I picked his brain for a while. Kane Wharton: Thats a tough question! I tuned in to WWF Raw the next Monday and by pure coincidence, the headline match was Undertaker and Kane in an Inferno match. You will receive a verification email shortly. Scott Lesh; not just for his great photography, but for his sheer dedication to social media! Based on looking through his site, Id expect big things from Levi to happen quickly. I got the basic gist of the location; it was in a high school gymnasium, with 4 mats placed in a grid. CM Punk vs. John Cena at Money in the Bank 2011. The problem however, was that these wrestlers were not going to be standing still, and there were going to be 4 matches going on at a time. I miss the American Legion Hall, but the Globe Theater is a great venue. Your email address will not be published. Then Essa Rios introduced me to lucha libre.
In PWG, new faces are a good thing. Kane was an immediate favorite because he had that mystique in 1999.