Every sport has its challenges. With high school wrestling, it’s bad light and being in the right place at the right time.
Ambient Light: You will require a fast lens between f/1.4 and 2.8. But even at these large aperture openings with seemingly small differences, an f/1.4 gives you four times the light as an f/2.8.
Strobe Light: Always ask one of the officials if you may use a flash. It’s good indoor etiquette and avoids getting yelled at. In my experience, it’s usually no problem. However, a strobe may nix your ability to use the high frame rate feature of your camera and “red-eye” will keep you busy in post processing.
Position: Being close to the ground is best. Sitting on the first row of the bleachers is good, but you’ll find restless students walking back and forth in front of you. Where and how the action starts is predictable, but one never knows which way the athletes will be pointing or where the official will be when your boy or girl is pinning their opponent. The best you can do sometimes is just pick a spot and stay out of the way of other parents.
The boys in these pictures were among Lodi’s and Tokay’s scrappiest grapplers during the 2015 season.
Photography Anecdotes 