A while back I noted a similarity between the beauty and movement of the ballet and the beautiful form and grace in womens' gymnastics. I started photographing gymnasts at various local meets, and obtained some excellent photographs. But I also soon decided that I wanted more control of the photographic environment, in order to create the images I saw in my mind. As a result I started talking to the various private club gymnastic teams and coaches, and soon was able to work with some of the best amateur gymnasts in the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area, where I live and teach photography. As I result I have photographed a number of individual gymnasts in my studio, where I can completely control the lighting and the background. This has resulted in what I feel are some very exciting and beautiful photographs; you can judge for yourself below.

It has been a couple of years since I have last worked with individual gymnasts, but I am presently looking for several exceptional gymnasts with a view towards developing an exhibit of artistic gymnastic photography. It was interesting to discover that the individual photogenic look of a gymnast is as important as the actual gymnastic ability of the athlete with regards to the final image. It is also interesting to me that most of the very good gymnasts also have the "look" of a gymnast. But. don't ask me what that look is... I just know it when I see it!

Most of the images shown below are in color, but in many cases I also have photographed them in B&W. When I first started worked in the studio I often would shoot in both B&W (medium format) and color, requiring two completely independent photographic systems. Initially the color work was with color slides, but later on when the color negative films became of higher quality, I then shot my color with color negative film. Now when I shoot with digital capture, the images are all originally in color but each one can be effectively converted to B&W in the computer. When I print up the final exhibit photographs I expect that they will include some images in B&W and some in color. I depend on the image itself to "tell me" which medium would work the best for any specific image.

Also in this section, following the studio photographs, are a number of action photographs of gymnasts taken mostly during gymnastic meets, but a few during special photographic shoots in the gymnasium with a portable studio flash system.

Gymnast/Beth

Gymnast/Susie (Litho high contrast image)

Gymnast/Leah, pose #1

Gymnast/Leah, pose #2

Gymnast/Anna, pose #1

Gymnast/Anna, pose #2

Gymnast/Courtney

Gymnast/Robyn, pose #1

Gymnast/Robyn, pose #2

Gymnast/Kim

Now, below are four action photographs that I took at area gymnastic meets, plus one taken for a friend at a gym. These beautiful and athletic young women have a wonderful dynamic look that defies gravity.

Action Photo #1

Action Photo #2

Action Photo #3

Action Photo #4

Sam flying through the air on the uneven bars.

Finally, a photograph of Dominique Dawes that I took outside on a beam in front of her gym. You will recall that she is an Olympic Gold medal winner in gymnastics in 1996. I have a number of photographs of her from the many years she competed in local gymnastic meets, some of them of her as young as 11 years old.

Dominique Dawes, taken in 1995

Now, here is a photograph of Dominique when she was competing in 1988, the first year in which she entered national competitions, when she was only 11 years old.

Dominique Dawes, taken in 1988

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I hope that you have enjoyed my artistic gymnastic photographs. I also want to give credit to the many excellent gymnasts and their parents who have allowed me to photograph them, and to the private clubs where they learn their techniques and practice, including but not limited to: the MarVaTeens, the Rebounders, and Harford Gymnastics. Thank you for visiting my web site, and I hope you continue on to the Beauty and Glamour Portraiture Section which is next. Just click on the appropriate link below to take you there.

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All photographs Copyright © Donald Becker

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