Why such low numbers in pro figure?

[Siouxcountry]

Only 17 on the final list of pro competitors.

38 women competed in pro figure last year at this show................ LINK (http://www.musculardevelopment.com/browse/index.php?mode=contest&eventcode=1279)

I am quite surprised so few are competing this year at the IFBB Europa Super Show.

[NYCStrongFox]

Wow, half the number of last year.

[KP DIVA]

Maybe the economy so ppl are choosing shows closer to home.

[AirHarp]

HOw many do you think will register at the time of the show?

[KP DIVA]

HOw many do you think will register at the time of the show?

You have to put in a contract. So, there aren't any walk-ins....hopefully no one will get sick and drop out.

[AnneP]

I think many focus on Atlantic show , they also have master's figure class which I guess will have many many girls in this year. It is closer to Olympia and closer to the shows after Olympia. As there were no show at Tampa, I guess many just skip Europa and Houston and will be focusing on Atlantic City and shows after O.. and yeh, probably because of economy many plan better what shows to do and not doing as many shows as usually.

[Siouxcountry]

I think many focus on Atlantic show , they also have master's figure class which I guess will have many many girls in this year. It is closer to Olympia and closer to the shows after Olympia. As there were no show at Tampa, I guess many just skip Europa and Houston and will be focusing on Atlantic City and shows after O.. and yeh, probably because of economy many plan better what shows to do and not doing as many shows as usually.

They had the Atlantic City last year too.

[AnneP]

Sure they did and they had million figure girls in it too.. just feels like many many focusing on Atlantic instead of for example - Europa and Houston..

[AJ Williams IFBB]

I really wanted to do this one, but to fly from NC to Dallas, to NC to Houston all in 2wks was daunting financially and prep wise it is hard.... ;( argh! maybe next go round!:awesome:

[LIFTstudios]

I just hope the lighting is better this year. Why more aren't in it - good question and not really sure. I don't think it's the economy because we've seen record numbers in the NPC shows.

[AnneP]

..about lightning, that is really sad how so many pro shows have AWFUL lights. I mean NOONE looks good in them. Pittsburgh (under 202 pro show and am show) was BAD, and I guess Tampa had quite bad too(?).

[LizaFit]

I just hope the lighting is better this year. Why more aren't in it - good question and not really sure. I don't think it's the economy because we've seen record numbers in the NPC shows.

..about lightning, that is really sad how so many pro shows have AWFUL lights. I mean NOONE looks good in them. Pittsburgh (under 202 pro show and am show) was BAD, and I guess Tampa had quite bad too(?).

I agree with Anne... I think the Figure competitors may be waiting to do shows later in the year... yeah Issac there have been huge numbers in NPC Figure National shows AND they have to pay stiff entry fees along with other travel expenses...

the Lighting at the shows is definitely very disappointing! The athletes work so freakin' hard trying to dial in their best physique then you get to some of these shows and the lighting is HORRIBLE! It's just not right... after that hard work the lighting hinders the athletes showcasing their physiques!

Why don't promoters ask the photographers in the press pit to help them set up the lighting? Or pay them to advise on what looks best. It seems like common sense to me... do they hire a professional lighting crew? What is that process like? Does anyone know?

[claus]

Several shows I needed to correct the lightning in a break when I was the official photographer - it is really a shame for the athlets to underperform under bad lights!
But also for the official photographer it is nearly impossible to get good shots under very hard conditions - also the backgrund is not always the best ...

Worst Light and background were at the bavarian amateur champioships - low light, a lot of shadow on stage, and brown background.
http://www.bbszene.de/bayrische-fruehjahr-2009.html

When a photographer has bad light a judge has also bad light - and the athlet can´t be judged correctly.

I agree with Anne... I think the Figure competitors may be waiting to do shows later in the year... yeah Issac there have been huge numbers in NPC Figure National shows AND they have to pay stiff entry fees along with other travel expenses...

the Lighting at the shows is definitely very disappointing! The athletes work so freakin' hard trying to dial in their best physique then you get to some of these shows and the lighting is HORRIBLE! It's just not right... after that hard work the lighting hinders the athletes showcasing their physiques!

Why don't promoters ask the photographers in the press pit to help them set up the lighting? Or pay them to advise on what looks best. It seems like common sense to me... do they hire a professional lighting crew? What is that process like? Does anyone know?

[LIFTstudios]

The lighting at Tampa wasn't that bad, in fact at night it was great.

Many times it is a cost issue as well as the venue it is in. It's tough to have a standard in place and is left up to the promoters.

The topic of lighting could/should be one that pros mention to their athlete rep to bring up at the annual meeting next month.

It has come along way in terms of lighting since the beginning of the bodybuilding days but when you see how competitors look on the IRONMAN stage you know it is possible. Tim McAdams used to do a good job with the BodyRock show as well.

[ambydawn]

Why don't promoters ask the photographers in the press pit to help them set up the lighting? Or pay them to advise on what looks best. It seems like common sense to me... do they hire a professional lighting crew? What is that process like? Does anyone know?

I always wondered about this myself. It is probably a cost issue... I went to school with a guy that designs theatrical and special event lighting, and it seems as though they charge big $ for events. I went to the Bodyrock once, and their show lighting was put some pro shows to shame!

[Arina Manta]

I would have loved to compete at the Europa show again, but right now I have to concentrate on my business , having new / beneficial plans. Traveling to the states from Australia to compete for few years now it really cost me a good amount of $$$$.
Ok, that's my excuse :)

Arina

[LIFTstudios]

You'll notice from the photos the lighting was much, much improved at this show from last.

[Siouxcountry]

You'll notice from the photos the lighting was much, much improved at this show from last.

That was the first thing I noticed. :)

[FemFlex]

The lighting at Tampa wasn't that bad, in fact at night it was great.

In other words, it's the fault of the photographers that there were so many bad photos from that show published.

That's really too bad. I guess I shoulda been there.

[LizaFit]

You'll notice from the photos the lighting was much, much improved at this show from last.

Yes.. I can see a huge difference! That's great!

[STL Joe]

Tim McAdams used to do a good job with the BodyRock show as well.

Any relation to my boy Stevie Mac?