July 17, 2022
Features

Photographing DanceSport

By Carson Zullinger

Contributing Author

Photos by Carson Zullinger

USA Dance Photographer Carson Zullinger provides tips of the trade

I have had the pleasure and honor to volunteer as the official photographer at 18 USA Dance/USABDA Nationals over the last 23 years. Like any other sport, photographing DanceSport has its unique challenges.

I am always amazed and impressed with the level of artistry and athleticism. When photographing, I pay attention to the story that the couple is weaving through their choreography. If I have not seen the couple’s dance before, I listen to the music which can give you clues to peak moments in the dance. I recommend spending time just watching a few heats to get a sense of how the couples move around the floor. I look for moments where I can see both of the dancers’ faces. It makes for a more dynamic image, and the visual expressions help the viewer understand the story that they are dancing.

From a technical standpoint, if you are photographing Standard or American Smooth, if possible, get a seat in the corner where you can view the couples coming towards you along the line of dance. Because things happen so quickly, practice tracking the couple in the view finder so that you can instantly click the shutter. When photographing Latin or Rhythm, sitting anywhere on the sides of the floor opposite to the dais one will have a better chance of getting images because the dancers tend to present their choreography to the audience. Concentrating on one couple will make it easier to be successful of getting good images.

Lighting is always a challenge. Since in most cases, using flash is prohibited, you need to pay attention to areas of the floor that are well lit, and concentrate photographing in those areas.

While photographing the Nationals in Pittsburg this year, I was tracking and paying attention to the choreography of Mike and Rose-Ann Lynch. I photographed this iconic pose (left image) in an earlier heat. When I realized that they were dancing again, I had a plan to reshoot the same pose. Fortunately, by being prepared, I captured what I consider the better image. (right image). Still, there is serendipity to photographing when multiple partners are dancing so close to each other. In the final image, I was fortunate that the Lynches were spatially separated from the other competitors. This is an example of learning the choreography of the couple you are photographing when they are dancing multiple heats.

So, what camera do you need to photograph DanceSport? For the most part using a phone for shooting stills is not going to work well, although it might be fine for video. Whatever camera equipment you use, the issues of brightness, distance from the floor, and the speed of the dancers are the major factors that one must deal with. If using an SLR or mirrorless camera, you will need a zoom lens with at least a range of 80-200 mm if shooting from the stands. The ISO rating could be as high as 1600, with a shutter speed no lower than 1/125 second but preferably 1/250 second or higher. Some of the point-and-shoot cameras that have controls for shutter speed and also have rather impressive zoom lenses such as Canon PowerShot SX70 HS and the Nikon COOLPIX P950. These are good alternatives.

Fortunately, because we are working in the digital realm, you can do tests and look at the results before committing to a certain set of parameters. If possible, it is helpful to practice before committing to shooting a friend’s heat.

It’s such an exciting and energizing experience to photograph DanceSport. Hopefully, you will have great success!

Adult Amateur Val Chmerkovskiy with his partner Valeriya Kozharinova won the 2008 United States Latin Championship. Here they are dancing in the 2006 USA Dance Nationals.

Christopher Nymchek and Elizabeth Satarov won the 2003 and 2004 United States Junior I International Latin Titles. Here they are dancing in the 2005 Nationals.

Eugene Katsevman and Maria Manusova won 11 National Championship titles in Adult International Latin. Here they are performing in the 2005 Nationals.

OK Dancers. American Dancer needs your help. Who is this gorgeous Latin couple? This photo was taken during the 2000 National Championships. Please help us identify them.

Junior Amateur Mark Ballas and his partner Julianne Hough were Youth Latin Finalists. Here they are dancing in the 2003 National Championships.

Yuriy Nartov and Samantha Safir were the 2005 United States Youth International 10-Dance Champions. Here they are dancing their Quickstep. Photo by Carson Zullinger.

Patryk Ploszaj and Anna Kaczmarski were the United States Junior I, Junior II, and 2x Youth National Champions in International Standard. Here they are dancing in the 2013 Nationals.

Youth Amateur Standard dancers Taras Savitskyy and Liya Podokshik are shown at the 2010 National Championships.

Adult Amateur Standard Couple Igor Mikushov and Anna Demidova were Blackpool Dance Festival Under 21 finalists. Here they are dancing in the 2008 Nationals.

Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach won three United States Adult International 10-Dance Championships and the 2012 Internationals Latin Championship. Here they are dancing in the 2009 Nationals.

Taras Savitskyy and Tatiana Seliverstova won three United States Adult International 10-Dance Championships. Here they are dancing in the 2013 Nationals.

Kinsley Lin and Michelle Yiu were the 2013 and 2014 United States Junior II International 10-Dance and Standard Champions. Here they are dancing in the 2011 National Championships.

Adult Amateur Val Chmerkovskiy with his partner Daria Chesnokova won three United States International Latin titles. Here they are dancing in the 2010 USA Dance Nationals. Photo by Carson Zullinger.

Carson Zullinger is a working artist who has been heavily involved in the arts community since the late 1970’s. He was a founding member of the Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, serving as President of the board during its early years. He rejoined the board in 2006 and served for 10 years including Development Chair, and Treasurer. He also was honored to serve on the Delaware State Arts Council for seven years. He currently serves on the Board of the Biggs Museum of American Art.

Carson is the 2014 recipient of the Masters Artist Fellowship from the Delaware Division of the Arts. He has exhibited extensively since the early 1980’s including the Delaware Art Museum, the Delaware Contemporary and the Biggs Museum of American Art. His work is in Museum and private collections. He has volunteered for USA Dance since 1999.