Photographing Figure Skating at Palavela
Photographing figure skating at Palavela means working in a fast, theatrical environment where movement, light, music, and architecture are constantly changing. The Turin arena offers strong visual opportunities: a bright sheet of ice, sweeping jumps, expressive choreography, and the distinctive atmosphere of a major international competition. Good results depend as much on preparation and positioning as on camera settings.
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final held at Palavela from December 5–8, 2019 included Senior and Junior competitions in men’s, ladies’, pairs, and ice dance. Each discipline created different photographic challenges. A solo skater may cross the frame quickly during a jump, while pairs and ice dancers require careful attention to spacing, timing, and the relationship between two performers.
Before arriving, review the event’s photography policy, ticket conditions, and any restrictions on interchangeable lenses or professional equipment. Rules can differ between competition sessions, practice sessions, and the exhibition gala. A small amount of planning will allow you to concentrate on the performance rather than discovering a restriction at the entrance.
Prepare for the arena environment
Ice rinks are visually bright but photographically difficult. The surface reflects arena lighting, while the spectator areas may be considerably darker. Exposure meters can be confused by large areas of white ice, often producing gray-looking snow and underexposed skaters. Take a few test frames before the action begins and check the histogram rather than relying only on the rear screen.
Palavela’s indoor setting also means that artificial lighting is your primary source. Shutter speeds that work outdoors may produce blurred images or visible flicker under arena lights. If your camera offers anti-flicker functionality, test it during warm-ups. Shoot in RAW when possible, giving you more flexibility to correct exposure, highlights, color, and shadows during editing.
Keep your equipment simple and secure. A telephoto zoom is usually more useful than several prime lenses because your distance from the rink may be fixed. Bring spare batteries and memory cards, but avoid loose accessories that could fall toward the ice. A monopod may help with a heavy lens if venue rules permit it, although many photographers prefer to remain mobile and unobtrusive.
Choose a position with purpose
Your seat determines the story your photographs can tell. A low angle close to the rink can make a jump appear dramatic and expansive, while a higher position may reveal patterns, formations, and the full geometry of a routine. If you are photographing from general seating, look for a clear view across the long side of the rink rather than a location blocked by railings, glass, or nearby spectators.
Avoid treating the nearest possible position as automatically the best one. A skater moving toward you can disappear behind the rink boards or pass through a difficult background. A slightly elevated viewpoint may provide cleaner separation and a better view of landings. For ice dance and pairs, choose a position where both athletes can remain in the frame during lifts, spins, and side-by-side elements.
Do not change seats during a live performance unless the event allows it and the movement will not disturb others. Instead, use the practice session to identify likely approaches, corners, and jump entrances. During competition, observe the program first when possible. Learn where the skater accelerates, pauses, spins, or faces the audience, then refine your framing during later passages.
Match camera settings to movement
A fast shutter speed is the foundation of sharp action photography. A starting point around 1/1000 second can freeze many jumps and fast skating movements, although you may need to adjust it according to lighting and the effect you want. Speeds between 1/500 and 1/800 second can work for expressive poses and slower sequences, while a lower speed can introduce intentional motion blur.
Use a wide aperture, such as f/2.8 or f/4, to gather more light and separate the skater from distracting spectators. Depth of field becomes narrow at longer focal lengths, so focus accuracy matters. If the arena is dim, raising ISO is usually preferable to accepting a blurred image. Modern cameras can produce usable high-ISO files, especially when exposure is accurate.
Continuous autofocus with subject tracking is helpful, but the best mode depends on your camera and the background. Dynamic-area or zone autofocus can follow a skater across the ice, while a smaller focus area may be more reliable when several athletes are nearby. Use continuous shooting in short bursts instead of holding the shutter continuously. This preserves card space and makes it easier to find the decisive frame.
| Photographing situation | Useful starting point | Main priority | Common adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump or fast approach | 1/1000–1/1600 sec, f/2.8–f/4, Auto ISO | Freeze the body and blades | Raise ISO if the frame is dark |
| Spin or expressive pose | 1/500–1/800 sec, f/2.8–f/4 | Balance sharpness and gesture | Lower shutter speed for controlled blur |
| Pairs lift | 1/800–1/1250 sec, f/3.2–f/5.6 | Keep both skaters recognizable | Stop down slightly if depth of field is too thin |
| Ice dance formation | 1/640–1/1000 sec, f/4–f/5.6 | Maintain composition and spacing | Use a wider focal length |
| Practice session | 1/500–1/1000 sec, f/2.8–f/4 | Test focus and exposure | Experiment before the arena fills |
These settings are starting points rather than fixed rules. The correct exposure will depend on the lighting program, lens transmission, camera sensor, and location inside Palavela. Review highlights on white costumes and ice, then use exposure compensation or manual exposure if the lighting remains consistent.
Anticipate the decisive moment
The strongest skating photographs are usually made before the most obvious action occurs. Watch the skater’s edges, posture, and direction of travel. A jump photograph may be most compelling during takeoff, at full extension in the air, or immediately after a controlled landing. Each moment communicates a different quality: power, suspension, or precision.
For spins, focus on rhythm and shape rather than simply pressing the shutter at maximum speed. A centered spin with a clean costume line may be more successful than a faster sequence of slightly awkward frames. Expressions become important during step sequences and choreography, especially when the skater faces the audience or reaches toward a partner.
Pairs and ice dance demand anticipation from both athletes. Leave enough space in the frame for arms, blades, and the direction of movement. During lifts, avoid cropping the raised skater’s hands or feet. In side-by-side jumps, frame wider than you would for a solo athlete, because small differences in timing can spread the pair across the rink.
A useful approach is to follow the performance continuously with your focus point while shooting only at likely peaks. This produces a more coherent set of images than capturing every second. It also lets you watch the routine, listen to the music, and respond to changes that cannot be predicted from a program sheet.
Work with light, color, and composition
The ice will often dominate the frame, so exposure and composition should be considered together. A skater placed against a clean section of ice can appear graphic and isolated, while a wider frame can include arena seating, banners, or architectural details that establish the Palavela setting. Use the boards and rink markings as compositional lines, but avoid allowing them to cut awkwardly through the athlete’s head or torso.
White balance is especially important under indoor arena lighting. Auto white balance may change between frames as the camera sees different amounts of ice and colored clothing. If the lighting is stable, set a consistent white balance or correct it later from a RAW file. Check skin tones and white costumes, since colored casts are easy to notice in close portraits.
Look for contrast between costume, ice, and background. Dark clothing may photograph well against a bright rink, while a pale costume can disappear unless the background contains shadow or audience detail. Exposure bracketing is rarely practical during a routine, so use test images during warm-up to establish a reliable baseline.
Composition should include motion space. Leave room in front of the skater rather than placing the athlete against the edge of the frame. Vertical framing suits jumps, lifts, and full-body portraits, while horizontal framing is often better for travel, pairs, and ice dance. Capture both wide environmental images and tighter details of faces, blades, hands, and costume texture.
Photograph practice sessions and the gala
Practice sessions provide a valuable opportunity to understand the venue without the pressure of a scored performance. Skaters may repeat jump entrances, work through difficult transitions, or move at a more predictable pace. This is an ideal time to test autofocus tracking, determine the best exposure, and learn how quickly athletes cross your field of view.
Practice also allows a different visual approach. Instead of photographing only peak athletic moments, look for concentration, coaching interactions, reflections in the ice, and quiet preparation near the boards. Keep your camera ready, but remain respectful. Athletes and coaches may be using the session for technical work, so avoid obstructing sightlines or drawing attention to yourself.
The exhibition gala offers another kind of photographic rhythm. Costumes, lighting, music, and presentation may be more theatrical than in a judged program. Wider compositions can capture spotlights and the atmosphere of the arena, while slower shutter speeds may convey movement through deliberate blur. Try a mixture of sharp frames and artistic exposures rather than applying the same technique to every performance.
Flash should not be used unless the organizers explicitly authorize it. A flash can distract athletes, interfere with other spectators, and create harsh reflections on the ice. Rely on available light, a fast lens, and appropriate ISO instead. Silent shooting may be useful where permitted, particularly during quiet choreography or close seating, but confirm that it does not create banding under the arena’s lighting.
Edit a complete skating story
After the event, begin by selecting technically sound images, but do not stop there. A strong gallery should show variety: a jump, a landing, a spin, a pair interaction, a facial expression, a wide view of Palavela, and details that convey the atmosphere around the ice. Repeated frames of the same element can make a collection feel narrow even when the action is impressive.
Crop carefully while preserving the feeling of movement. Avoid removing blades, hands, or the direction toward which the athlete is traveling. Correct exposure and color before applying stronger contrast or sharpening. Noise reduction can help high-ISO files, but excessive smoothing may remove costume texture and ice detail.
When publishing images, identify the discipline and session accurately. Men’s, ladies’, pairs, and ice dance have distinct visual characteristics, and a practice photograph should not be presented as a competition moment. Respect any accreditation, ticketing, or publication requirements attached to the event. For a personal gallery, captions with the venue, date, discipline, and session can provide useful context.
Use these practical habits before and during a Palavela skating session:
- Arrive early enough to check your seat, lens reach, batteries, and memory cards.
- Photograph warm-ups to test shutter speed, autofocus, ISO, and white balance.
- Follow the athlete’s movement with continuous autofocus and shoot short bursts at peak moments.
- Keep a fast shutter speed for jumps, but use controlled blur when it strengthens the sense of motion.
- Review the event’s current camera and lens rules before bringing professional equipment.
The most rewarding images will combine technical sharpness with the character of the performance. Prepare your settings before the music begins, observe the choreography closely, and let the arena’s scale and atmosphere become part of the visual story. Whether you are attending a competition session, a practice session, or an exhibition gala, Palavela gives you opportunities to photograph both athletic achievement and artistic expression.
Check the official Torino 2019 event information and the applicable venue guidance, prepare your camera kit accordingly, and make a focused shooting plan for the session. With thoughtful positioning, reliable exposure, and patient timing, your photographs can preserve the speed, elegance, and intensity of figure skating at Palavela.