Women's Gymnastics

Recently I got the chance to photograph women's gymnastics at USAFA which was both really irritating and very rewarding. I did get some shots that I liked, but the lighting in the gym they compete in is a photographers worst nightmare! Thank goodness for the D700 which made it possible to still capture a few shots. Here are some of my favorites. (All photos copyright US Air Force Academy, J. Rachel Spencer 2010)

U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Head Coach Doug Day helps correct junior Brittany Dutton’s body position as she practices vaulting before the meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)


U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Junior Holland Davis vaults for the Falcons during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)


U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Senior Michelle Denise (left) is embraced by teammate Holland Davis, a junior, after competing on the uneven bars during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)


U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Sophomore Jenna Dudley holds a pose while competing on the uneven bars during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. Dudley finished in the top five of every event and placed second in the all-around with a score of 38.425. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)


U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Sophomore Jenna Dudley does a backflip while competing on the balance beam during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. Dudley finished in the top five of every event and placed second in the all-around with a score of 38.425. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)


U.S. Air Force Academy, CO- Freshman Tara Harris holds a pose during her floor routine during Air Force’s meet against UC Davis 30 Jan 2010 in the Cadet Gymnasium. Air Force lost the meet 191.575 to 185.300 despite two event titles. Sophomore Jenna Dudley took the title in the floor exercise with a tally of 9.775, and junior Brittany Dutton took the vault title with a 9.625. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ J. Rachel Spencer)

AFA Women's Soccer

There were a lot of sports events over Parents Weekend at the Academy, and I got the chance to run around to a lot of them. Here are a few from the woman's soccer match. All images copyright J. Rachel Spencer, USAFA base photo lab 2009.

water and air

I used to swim in high school, yet taking pictures of swimming is still a challenge for me. At least to try and get something which hasn't been done before. I've seen most of the pictures I've taken done before by other photographers, from the iconic butterfly shot to the close up of any stroke coming up to breath. Imitation is a step in learning anything.

I stopped swimming after my junior year in high school because of heart problems. The thing I remember most vividly is the constant smell, not just around the pool but everywhere, after months of practicing several hours a day in the pool; swimming was life, and you sweat chlorine.