The Jammer’s Flash: A Moment on the Track
The jammer bursts through the pack, her teal jersey a blur as she skates hard into the turn. Wheels squeal, hips swing, and for a split second you see the intensity in her eyes. That’s the split second you want to nail.
The Problem
Roller derby is tough to shoot because:
- You’re often far from the action, especially if you’re shooting from the stands.
- Indoor tracks have mixed lighting – bright spots over the track, dim corners.
- Skaters move fast, change direction quickly, and blockers can appear out of nowhere.
- If the bout is outdoors, sweat, rain or spray can hit your lens.
The Fix
Here’s what works, explained plainly.
- Shutter speed: 1/2000s or faster. This stops the wheels and legs from blurring.
- Aperture: f/2.8 to f/4. Gives you enough light and keeps the skater sharp while the background softens just enough.
- ISO: Start at 800 and raise as needed. In a dim hall you may need 1600‑3200; accept some grain – it’s better than a blurry shot.
- Focus mode: Continuous AF (AI Servo / AF‑C) with back‑button focus so you can lock on a skater and keep tracking.
- Position: Shoot from inside the track, near the apex of a turn, or from the bench level at track height. This cuts distance and puts you at eye level.
- Gear: A zoom lens in the 70‑200mm range (f/2.8 if you can) works well. If you’re tighter on budget, a 24‑70mm f/2.8 plus a teleconverter gets you close enough. A monopod helps steady heavy lenses; a simple rain cover protects the front element if you’re outdoors.
Trade‑off: higher ISO adds grain but lets you use a fast shutter; lower ISO gives cleaner images but you risk motion blur if the light drops.
The Mistake
One common mistake is letting the camera choose the shutter speed in auto or program mode. The camera will often pick something like 1/250s to keep ISO low, which results in blurred wheels and missed expressions.
How to fix it: Switch to Shutter Priority Tv or S or Manual. Set the shutter to 1/2000s first, then adjust aperture and ISO to get a good exposure. Check the histogram; if it’s too dark, open the aperture or raise ISO.
The Payoff
When you nail the settings and position, the shots show the grit and speed of derby. You’ll see individual faces, the tension in a block, the spray of wheels. Those images stand out in galleries, social feeds, and team websites.
Turning It Into Paid Work
Local leagues and clubs always need fresh photos for posters, programs, and social media. Offer to shoot a bout for a small fee or trade for a print. Athletes love action shots of themselves for personal branding; you can sell those directly or through a print‑on‑demand site.
If you have a collection of strong derby images, upload them to Surf Snaps. The platform lets sports fans buy prints or license photos, and you earn a share each time someone downloads. It’s a simple way to turn a hobby into a side income.
One Small Step
At your next bout, try this: set your camera to 1/2000s shutter, f/2.8 aperture, ISO 800, and plant yourself at the inside line of a turn. Shoot one jam and review the results. Adjust ISO up or down based on the histogram, and keep the shutter locked fast.
