I’ve been busy processing, so I haven’t had much chance to showcase a write up. However, this past weekend I went out to the Baltimore-Annapolis Kendo Tournament and took some photos. These are only from my last card of that day as my PC is overwhelmed with raw photos from 3 other projects right now but it is more than enough to write about.
Get permission. Don’t just head to an event like this and start snapping shots. Make sure the people running the event know you will be there and what you will be doing. When you show up, take some time to look around and understand what is acceptable. For example, you will notice no one in any of these photos as any shoes on so obviously I had no shoes on either. Or better yet, do some research on etiquette ahead of time.
As for capturing the action, this art moves slowly and then suddenly fast, especially with the higher ranked contenders. There may be brief moments of two individuals barely moving followed by a burst of sudden action. You really have to go with your gut on this as to when to start photographing. If you wait for the movement to start, you will likely miss the most important part of the strike entirely. It’s tricky but it gets easier as you spend more time with it. Also, a step stool doesn’t hurt so you can get over the crowds. Gear wise it was me, a 70-200mm lens, and a step stool.
If you are more interested in the content of the photos rather than how to take these photos, and are 12 years old or older, I suggest you get in contact with the Baltimore-Annapolis Kendo Club. They are very welcoming and would love to hear from you. You can find more information at https://www.facebook.com/bakendo and their main page at https://www.baltimoreannapoliskendo.org/ (check out their “Getting Started” tab)